How to Change a Business Address for an LLC

An address change in the life of your limited liability company (LLC) may not seem like a major event, but it could lead to one if you don’t update your business location on your governing documents and with other agencies and parties. Failure to change your business address can lead to your LLC losing its operating license.

Do I always have to change my business address?

Yes, if your business location changes, you typically need to change your LLC’s address with the appropriate entities—but there may be some exceptions. For example, if you’re opening a new office but will still operate from your existing location, most likely, you will not have to change your LLC address. 

If, however, you don’t plan on being physically present at the existing location, plan to work from home, or will now have a virtual office address, you’ll need to update your address with the relevant agencies and parties.

Who do I notify about my LLC address change?

The main places to notify about your changed business address are the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your state taxation agencies, the relevant state department and licensing agencies, and your registered agent.

Here’s how to notify these entities:

U.S. Postal Service

The post office makes it very easy to change your address. Just visit the USPS official change-of-address site and follow the prompts to fill in your old information and new business address. (If you use your home address as your LLC’s address and you move to a new home, you'll need to fill out a separate change-of-address form with your new contact info.)

IRS

You’ll use the IRS Form 8822-B to change your registered business mailing address, business location, or the identity of your responsible party (a responsible party is usually the person receiving all communication for the business, typically the registered agent). The form is fairly straightforward and takes care of updating your Employer Identification Number (EIN) information.

Once you’ve downloaded and filled out the form, you’ll need to mail the physical copy to the IRS location listed on the form. Unlike Form SS-4, which you used to obtain your EIN, the IRS doesn’t permit online submissions of Form 8822-B. Make sure to keep a copy of the completed document for your records.

State and local taxation agencies

Each state is different, so you’ll need to check with your local tax collector’s office to determine the notification requirements for a change of business address for LLC entities. You’ll need to notify all state tax departments in which your company is registered and does business.

Some states may allow businesses to change an address through an online portal, while others might require downloading, filling out, and mailing a physical form. Visit your state tax department’s website to learn what your specific change-of-address steps will be.

Additionally, you may need to update your new LLC address with your local tax agency, such as a city or county tax department. 

Secretary of State

When you created your LLC, you filed articles of organization (sometimes called “certificate of formation” or something similar) with your Secretary of State’s office or a similar agency. You’ll need to revisit that office’s website or call to learn about the specific regulations, required forms, and filing fees that are necessary to update the LLC articles of organization with your new address; this is often referred to as filing an amendment.

Once you know which forms to complete, fill them out and submit them to the Secretary of State (or applicable state department) and pay the corresponding filing fee (if any).

Relevant licensing agencies

Depending on the state in which your LLC is located and your industry, you may have obtained specific local or state licenses for your business. For example, many states, cities, or counties require food safety, real estate, contractor, or other types of licenses—all depending on the industry and jurisdiction. 

If your LLC has an industry-specific business license, you will likely have to notify the issuing agency of your new address. You’ll want to update licensing agencies so that you continue to receive important certifications and license renewal information at the correct address. You also might need to cancel local or state licenses from your old address, depending on its location.

Your city or county Office of Economic Development can provide guidance on how to change a business address with local and state agencies.

Registered agent

When you created your LLC, you had to designate a registered agent to keep track of the business’s important legal and tax document deliveries. They must know about LLC address changes to ensure they can contact you and forward important mail to your new address.

If your registered agent is a separate entity (i.e., not an employee or member of your LLC), and you are not changing your registered agent, you won’t need to update your address with certain government agencies because the registered office address is that of the registered agent. You will, however, need to notify the agent of your new physical location so that any original documents get to you in a timely manner.

Other places to update your business address change

Government departments, licensing agencies, and registered agents aren't the only entities with an interest in knowing how to find you once you've moved. Next up on your list of “how to change LLC address” are banks and lenders, insurance companies, customers, your website and social profiles, and physical marketing materials.

Financial institutions and lenders

Make sure to change your company’s address with your LLC’s bank. This is a very important step because all of your financial statements and correspondence are sent to the address on file. You can usually update your address through your online banking account profile.

Additionally, if lenders helped your LLC get started with small business funding, there is probably a condition in the contract that you must inform them of a change of address. Even if you’re changing a virtual business address for an LLC, you’ll still need to notify any lenders or credit providers.

Insurance policies

You need to ensure that your business and other insurance coverage remains valid. Since your physical location may affect the type of insurance you need and the premiums you’ll pay, you need to inform the company about your change of address for your LLC. 

Vendors and customers

All your vendors and customers should also be notified of address changes to avoid any delays in payments or correspondence. Start notifying all of the relevant parties well before the official change of address—at least four to six weeks prior—so that invoices, shipments, and so on aren’t disrupted. 

Most likely, you’ll be able to notify vendors and customers about your new location and mailing address through an online portal, a form letter, or an email to your contact list. Ensure that all contracts or agreements are updated as well.

Website and social media profiles

You can notify the public of your new address by updating the address on your website and social media accounts. This is a simple process, but if you have any trouble, a web developer or social media consultant can help or do it for you. 

Physical signs

Don’t forget about your physical marketing materials, like signage, business cards, mailers, brochures, and more. Anything with your old address needs to be updated. For example, perhaps you rented a bench ad that displays your business’s address. In this case, you’ll need to contact the advertising authority to adjust the existing ad or rent a new one. 

Furthermore, just to cover all your bases, it would be a good idea to place a sign at your old location to let any in-person visitors know about your new location. Without the signage, you may lose customers who will assume you’re closed for good.

What if I’m moving my LLC address to a new state?

If you’re moving your headquarters to a new state but want to continue doing business in your old state, things are a little more complicated but you have some options. (You still need to notify everyone mentioned above.) 

Register a foreign LLC

When you register as a foreign LLC, you’re simply stating that your business's headquarters is in a state other than the one in which you’re doing business. For example, if your business headquarters registration moves to Michigan but you want to continue doing business in Indiana, you need to register a foreign LLC in Indiana.

After you register your foreign LLC, you must then comply with the laws in all the states in which you’ve registered. For example, if the states have different annual filing fees and requirements, you must follow all of them. That can get complicated and expensive, but that’s the only way for your LLC to conduct business in multiple states.

Dissolve your existing LLC

If you do plan to transfer everything to your new state and completely stop doing business in your previous state, dissolving your existing LLC and forming a new one in your new state may be the best way to go about it.

The process to dissolve your existing LLC varies by state. If you’re a single-member LLC with no debts, the process is fairly simple. If your LLC has multiple members, you may need everyone’s approval to dissolve the business. Your articles of organization or operating agreement will detail rules for how to dissolve your LLC.

Regardless of how many members are in the LLC, you’ll need to pay off all debts and distribute all the assets. There may be tax implications for asset distribution. 

Only once you dissolve your old LLC according to the laws of that state can you then form a new LLC in your new state.

Domesticate your LLC

You can also domesticate your LLC by changing its state of registration. This option allows for a smooth transfer process and less disruption to your business. However, keep in mind that there may be conflicting domestication laws between states and varying tax considerations at the state level, so it’s a good idea to consult a tax professional and an attorney before starting the process.

Once you complete the process for LLC domestication, the laws of the original state cease to apply, and the new state laws come into effect. 

No matter where your new LLC will be located, it’s important that you know how to change the business address with all the necessary entities, from state agencies to insurance companies and financial institutions. Use this article as a checklist of everything you need to do to move your business.

FAQs

How long does it take to process a business address change?

This depends on the agency or regulatory entity. For example, IRS changes of address can take about four to six weeks to process, USPS mail forwarding may take up to two weeks to begin, and banking institutions typically process address changes in a matter of days.

What happens if I don’t update my business address?

If you don’t update your business address, there may be financial penalties from state departments, tax agencies, or lenders. Additionally, not updating your business’s address might mean that you don’t receive necessary financial or tax documents, customer inquiries, or shipments and could result in losing business insurance coverage, depending on the policy.

Can I update my business address online?

It depends. While you can typically update your business address online with state and local agencies, insurance companies, and financial institutions, some entities (like the IRS) require submitting a paper form. Check with the applicable entity to understand if LLC changes of address can be made online.

How much does it cost to change a business address?

It depends. Businesses can typically update their address online with state and local agencies, insurance companies, and financial institutions, but some entities (like the IRS) require submitting a paper form. Check with the applicable entity to understand if address changes can be made online.

Diane Faulkner contributed to this article.