Yes, you can change the account name, but the process depends on what name you're changing and which bank you use
If your business name has changed legally—through a DBA filing, incorporation, or LLC formation—your bank needs to know. The account itself doesn't automatically update when your business registration does. You'll need to contact your bank, provide proof of the name change, and the bank will issue you a new account or update the existing one. The timeline is usually one to three weeks, though some banks do it faster.
If you're trying to remove one owner's name and add another's, that's a different process and may require closing the old account and opening a new one, depending on your bank's rules and your account type.
The key difference: changing your business name is an update to an existing account. Changing who owns the account is often treated as closing one account and opening another.
Key Takeaways
- A legal name change (DBA, incorporation, or LLC formation) requires you to notify your bank with proof of the new registration.
- Most banks will update the account name within one to three weeks once you provide the correct documents.
- Removing one owner and adding another may require closing the current account and opening a new one, depending on your bank.
- You'll need the new business registration documents—articles of incorporation, DBA certificate, or amended LLC operating agreement—before the bank will process the change.
- Some banks charge a small fee to update account names; others do not, so ask before you start.
What documents you need to change your business name on the account
The bank will ask for proof that your business name has legally changed. This means an official document from your state or local government, not just a business card or website update. What you bring depends on how your business is structured.
If you filed a DBA (Doing Business As), bring the DBA certificate or the filing confirmation from your county clerk or secretary of state. If you incorporated or formed an LLC, bring the articles of incorporation or articles of organization. If you amended your LLC operating agreement to change the name, bring the amended agreement plus the original formation documents. Some banks also want a letter from you on company letterhead stating the reason for the name change, though this is less common now.
Call your bank's business services line before you go in or mail anything. Ask exactly which documents they need and whether they want originals, certified copies, or photocopies. Banks vary on this, and showing up with the wrong version wastes a trip.
How the name change process works at your bank
You start by contacting your bank's business account team, not the branch teller line. Most banks have a dedicated number for business account changes, which you can find on your statement or the bank's website under "business support" or "account services." Tell them you need to update your account name due to a legal business name change.
They will ask you to mail or bring in the documents, or some banks now accept photos of documents through their app or portal. Once the bank receives and verifies the documents, they process the change. This usually takes five to ten business days, though some banks are faster. You'll receive a new debit card, new checks, and a new account statement showing the updated name. Your account number and routing number stay the same in most cases, so you don't have to update automatic payments or direct deposits.
A few banks—usually smaller regional banks—may require you to close the old account and open a new one instead of updating the existing one. This is rare but happens. If your bank tells you this, ask whether the new account will have the same routing number and account number. If not, you'll have to notify anyone who sends you money or takes payments from the account.
Removing one owner and adding another owner
This is different from changing your business name and often requires more paperwork. If you're removing a co-owner or founder and adding a new one, the bank may treat this as closing the old account and opening a new business account under the new ownership structure.
You'll need to provide the bank with updated ownership documents—an amended operating agreement, a board resolution if you're incorporated, or a partnership agreement showing the new owner. All current owners usually have to sign off on the change, or at minimum the owner being removed has to authorize it in writing. Some banks require a notarized signature from the departing owner.
If the bank closes the old account and opens a new one, your account number and routing number will change. This means you'll have to update any automatic payments, direct deposits, and vendor payments that use the old account. Plan for this to take two to four weeks from start to finish.
Fees and timing for account name changes
Most banks do not charge a fee to update your business account name when the change is due to a legal business name change. However, some banks charge $25 to $100 to close an old account and open a new one if ownership is changing. A few banks charge a small fee—$10 to $25—just to process the name update paperwork. Call ahead and ask; the fee, if any, will be disclosed before you commit.
Timing varies by bank. Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo usually complete name changes within five to ten business days. Smaller regional banks and credit unions may take one to three weeks. If you need the change faster, ask whether your bank offers expedited processing and what it costs.
During the update period, your account remains open and functional. You can continue to deposit checks, make transfers, and pay bills. The only thing that changes is the name printed on your statements and new cards.
What happens to checks, cards, and automatic payments during the change
Your existing checks and debit cards will still work during and after the name change, even though they show the old business name. Banks do not when ready invalidate old checks or cards when the account name updates. However, you should order new checks and cards with the updated name to avoid confusion with vendors and customers.
Automatic payments and direct deposits linked to the old account number will continue to work without interruption, because the bank routes them by account number, not by account name. You do not have to notify your payroll processor, customers, or vendors unless your bank assigned you a new account number—which is rare for a straightforward name change.
If your bank did assign a new account number (which happens when they close the old account and open a new one), you'll need to update your information with anyone who sends you money or takes payments from the account. This includes your employer's payroll system, clients who pay you by ACH, and any vendors you pay automatically.
Changing the account name if you're a sole proprietor versus an LLC or corporation
Sole proprietors can change their account name by filing a DBA amendment or new DBA with their county clerk. Once you have the new DBA certificate, follow the same process: contact the bank, provide the certificate, and wait for the update. This is usually the fastest route because DBA changes are straightforward and banks process them quickly.
If you're an LLC or corporation, the process is the same in principle but the documents are different. You'll file amended articles of organization (for an LLC) or amended articles of incorporation (for a corporation) with your state, then bring those to the bank. Some states charge a small fee to file amendments; others do not.
If you're changing from a sole proprietorship to an LLC or corporation—not just changing the name, but changing the legal structure—you may need to close the old account and open a new business account under the new entity. This is because the old account was in your personal name or your sole proprietorship name, and the new account will be in the LLC or corporation's name. The bank will treat this as a new account opening, which takes longer and may require an EIN letter from the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my account number and routing number change when I update my business name?
Usually no. If you're straightforward updating the name on an existing account due to a legal business name change, the account number and routing number stay the same. Your bank will issue new checks and cards with the updated name, but the underlying account remains the same. If your bank closes the old account and opens a new one, then yes, you'll get a new account number and routing number.
How long does it take for the name change to show up on my statements and new cards?
The name change typically appears on your next statement cycle, which could be one to three weeks depending on when your statement date falls. New debit cards and checks usually arrive within one to two weeks after the bank processes the change. Ask your bank for a timeline when you submit your documents.
Do I need to notify the IRS or my accountant when I change my business name on the bank account?
If you've already filed a DBA or amended your business registration with the state, you should notify your accountant so they can update your records. You do not need to notify the IRS separately for a name change if your EIN (Employer Identification Number) stays the same. However, if you changed your business structure—for example, from sole proprietor to LLC—you may have a new EIN and will need to update that with the IRS.
What if my bank says they need a notarized document to change the account name?
Some banks request notarized copies of your business registration documents, especially if ownership is changing. You can get documents notarized at most banks for free if you're a customer, at UPS stores, or through a notary public in your area. The cost is usually $5 to $15 per document. Ask your bank which documents need to be notarized before you go to the notary.
Can I change my business name on the account if I'm not the primary account holder?
No. Only the primary account holder or an authorized signer can request a name change. If you're an authorized user but not the primary holder, the primary account holder will need to contact the bank and submit the documents. If the primary holder is no longer involved in the business, you may need to remove them and add yourself as the primary holder, which requires their written consent.