Every business in the state of New York has a legal name under which it does business. Corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships must all file organizing paperwork with the New York State Department of State Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code (Division of Corporations), and the name that you list on that document will be the company's legal name. In order to change the name of your company, you must file an amending document with the Division of Corporations.

Obtain the correct "Certificate of Amendment" document. All of the "Certificate of Amendment" documents are available on the Division of Corporations website. You must download the form that corresponds to the type of business entity that you are changing.

Perform a name search to ensure that your new company name is available. Business names in New York cannot be the same as, or confusingly similar to, other existing businesses. You can perform a free name search using the "Corporation and Business Entity Database" located on the Division of Corporations website. The Division of Corporations recommends that you mail a request to the records department to obtain an official name search. The fee associated with this service is $5 per name that you request, and the names and fee can be mailed to the Division of Corporations at: "Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231."

Complete the "Certificate of Amendment" form. The form for each particular business entity is very similar, requiring you to supply the name of your company in the title, state the new name of the company as well as the original name and provide the date upon which your original organizing document was filed. You must also sign the document and complete the second page by providing your name and address as the filer of the document.

Submit the "Certificate of Amendment" to the Division of Corporations with the required filing fee. The filing fee for a "Certificate of Amendment" is $60 and must be mailed to "New York State Department of State, Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231."