In Utah, a limited liability company must have a business name that is unique from other limited liability companies.
To find out if your desired LLC name is available in Utah, you can perform an LLC name search in several different ways, all of which provide different levels of information.
The process itself is simple, but there are some things you should know before you start your business search. This guide will show you some search tips and how easy it can be to look up an LLC in Utah.
Utah Business Entity Search Using the Utah Secretary of State
The Utah Secretary of State Division of Corporations is the state government office that oversees all existing business entities in Utah, and they offer a free online service where you can perform an LLC name search.
This search tool allows you to enter the proposed LLC name and see a list of all existing Utah LLCs with that same name.
The Utah Secretary of State results will also show the registered agent and contact information for each LLC listed.
When entering the business entity name words, you should avoid abbreviations like "LLC." Any entities with similar or identical names to your specified term will be returned.
There's no need to include all of the words from the LLC name in the Utah Secretary of State business search.
This allows you to do a Utah business search for "ABC Productions" and get results for both "ABC Productions, Inc." and "ABC Production Company, LLC."
Trademark Search
Trademark is a phrase, word, symbol, or logo that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services.
It is essential to do a trademark search before selecting a name for your Utah business to ensure that the name is not already taken.
The USPTO offers a free online search tool called Trademark Electronic Search System, where you can do a trademark search.
You can also use Utah Trademark Records to find information about a business entity that trademarked its name in Utah.
The Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code also offers a searchable database of business entities registered in Utah.
You can search registered businesses in Utah by name or entity number.
Check Search Engines
Search engines can help you perform a Utah business name search. Enter the desired keyword(s) and review the results.
Keep in mind that the information found online can be deceiving and not accurate, or at least, not up to date all the time.
For this reason, search results should only be one part of a complete Utah business name search.
The same goes for social media platforms - while they can be a great place to start your search, it's important to remember that not all business names are registered on social media.
However, many of them have an online presence or may even disclose information about the company owner.
You should also check for the available domain names.
Sometimes, a domain name may already be in use, although there is no business registered under that name.
This can pose a hurdle in your plans to create an online presence with the same name as your LLC.
LLC Name Reservation in Utah
You can reserve your company name well in advance to ensure no other entity takes it before you can sort out the other aspects of setting up an LLC in Utah.
Business name reservation in Utah is a fast and easy process, but some specific requirements must be met to reserve your company name.
The first step is to check the availability of your desired business name by visiting the Utah Corporations Division website and completing the online Business Name Availability Search.
If the name is available, you will need to complete the Business Name Reservation form and submit it to the Utah Department of Commerce.
You have to pay a $22 fee when you file the name reservation, and your company name will be reserved for 120 days.
If you decide to change your mind after reserving your business name, you can cancel the reservation by submitting a written request to the Utah Division of Corporations.
You can also extend your name reservation for an additional period.
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LLC Naming Guidelines in Utah
To save time after a Utah business entity search, you should always follow the guidelines for LLC names in Utah.
This is an important step because knowing what to use and what not to use when you're choosing an LLC name will help you to reserve the name you want and avoid common pitfalls or even rejection by the Utah Secretary of State.
Following are some of the key points to remember when naming your LLC in Utah:
- Generally, an LLC name must include the words "Limited Liability Company" or one of their abbreviations (LLC or LLC).
- Words like "company," "co," and any form of the word "partnership" cannot be used in an LLC name.
- An LLC name must not include any words linked to a government agency, such as "FBI" or "IRS."
- An LLC name must be distinguishable from any other entity registered with the Utah Secretary of State.
FAQs
How Do I Find the Owner of an LLC in Utah?
Utah Secretary of State Business Search tool allows you to see who owns an LLC.
Through the Utah Secretary of State, you can also view an LLC's Certificate of Existence, management team, registered agent, its filing number, and the entity type.
Can I Change the Name of My LLC in Utah?
Businesses can file name change applications with the Division of Corporations, either in person or by mail or fax.
To establish an LLC under a new name, you need to file the Articles of Amendment that will amend your current Articles of Organization.
How Do I Add a DBA to My LLC in Utah?
To add a " doing business as" to your Utah LLC, you need to file a "Statement of Assumed Business Name" with the Utah Division of Corporations.
The filing fee is $22. Many sole proprietorships choose an assumed name because they are not yet ready to launch their business under its actual name or want to keep their identity private.
Can I Search an LLC by Their EIN?
Searching a company by its employer identification number can be doable, but on the condition, it's a non-profit public company that you're after.
If it is a for-profit company, you should know that it is a private company, and obtaining information about it can be more difficult, even with an EIN.
Utah LLC Lookup: Conclusion
If you're in the process of starting a new LLC in Utah and don't know what to call your business, we recommend searching for a name before completing your legal documentation.
It would help if you considered many factors when naming an LLC, so it is important to take the time and do thorough research before making any final decisions.
