How to Look up an LLC in Wyoming? (Step by Step Guide)
If you're starting a business entity in Wyoming and need to verify if your preferred name is available, or you’re searching for a specific limited liability company, product, or service, conducting a business entity search is crucial.
As a business consultant for LLCs across various states, I understand the concerns many clients have regarding limited liability companies.
In collaboration with our team of legal advisors, I have created a comprehensive guide on conducting a business entity search for a Wyoming LLC that will assist you in navigating the process and provide you with all the information you need.
Quick Summary
- To look up an LLC in Wyoming, you can visit the Secretary of State website and use the business entity search tool.
- You can search a business entity using the filing ID number, trademark search, and social media.
- You can view all public information about a Wyoming business, including the legal name, filing ID, status, mailing address, registered agent, and filing history.
How Do I Look Up An LLC Name In Wyoming?
To look up an LLC name in Wyoming, you can search existing business names through the Wyoming Secretary of State. The platform contains a database of all registered companies in the state.
You can conduct a business entity search by following these steps:
- Visit the Secretary of State website.
- Enter the filing/business name. If you do not know the full Wyoming business name, you can use the ‘starts with’ or ‘contains’ option [1].
- After clicking ‘search’, the webpage will display a list of businesses matching your criteria.
- You can click on the business name to view all public information about the Wyoming business.
Wyoming Business Search Options
There are several business search options you can use to locate a specific entity.
1. Search By Filing ID
You can search for a Wyoming business name with the Wyoming Secretary of State by the business name or business filing ID number.
Each Wyoming LLC, C corp, or any other entity type has a filing ID number; you can enter the number into the designated field and search for the business.
This will generate key business details, including the initial filing date, business address, filing history, Wyoming registered agent information, entity name, location, and status.
2. Trademark Search
Another thing to consider when performing a Wyoming business search is that even if the desired name is available, there may be a trademark associated with that name. You can perform a trademark search to avoid legal complications with the name of your LLC through the state’s office electronic name search [2].
3. Social Media
Because we now live in a digital age, it’s also essential to do a name search on various social media platforms to make sure your Wyoming LLC name is available on social media.
If existing businesses are using your name on social media regardless of filing with the Wyoming Secretary of State, this can lead to problems in the future.
Information For LLC Lookup
When looking up an LLC name with the Wyoming Secretary of State, there are a few key factors to follow.
It’s best to search for part of your Wyoming LLC name to make sure you see every potentially similar name. For example, if your LLC name is Creek Valley Farms limited liability company, simply search Creek Valley. Leave out any LLC or LLC in the search.
Also, leave out punctuation like commas, periods, quotes, or hyphens. The business entity search also ignores capitalization, so it isn’t essential to use capital letters.
The Wyoming Secretary of State also has strict rules for distinguishability, so using “contains” instead of “starts with” can help you view all business entity names that may be similar to yours.
Interpreting Search Results
If the search results show names that aren’t similar to your entity name, then your name is available.
If a no-results-found message pops up for your search results, your Wyoming LLC name search is unique and available.
If your desired name appears on your list when you browse existing business names, then your name isn’t available.
If the results of the search show a name similar to yours, the state will likely reject your name, so it’s best to come up with a new name or a unique variation of that name.
Also, when browsing business entity names, you will come across active or inactive names. If a name is marked inactive on the results page, this can have two meanings: administratively dissolved or revoked.
You can use an inactive name as long as it has been at least 2 years since the inactive date.
Make sure when you search your name with the Secretary of State that you are searching your name multiple ways, such as partial, singular, or plural.
This will help make sure your desired name is distinguishable. According to the Secretary of State’s standards, your name cannot be deceptively similar.
Keep in mind that you can change your LLC name in Wyoming at any time if you want.
Related Articles:
- Dissolving an LLC in Wyoming
- Top LLC Formation Services in Wyoming
- How Much Does an LLC Cost in Wyoming
FAQs
What Does Deceptively Similar Mean In Wyoming?
Deceptively similar in Wyoming means that your desired business name or trademark is similar in appearance, sound, or keywords to an existing business or trademark.
Do I Need A Name Reservation For Wyoming?
You don’t need a name reservation for Wyoming. However, it is an available option, and if you perform a name reservation, it is valid for up to 120 days, and it costs $20 to file.
Can You Form A Wyoming Company If You Don’t Live In The State?
You can form a Wyoming company even if you don’t live in the state. Residency isn’t required to form a company. The process for establishing a foreign LLC in Wyoming is the same as forming a domestic entity.
Does Wyoming Require A Business License?
Wyoming doesn’t require a business license. Specific industries or cities may need licenses or special permits, and particular professions may also need occupational licenses.
Are LLC Annual Reports Public Record in Wyoming?
LLC annual reports are public records in Wyoming. For this reason, an annual report can be a good place to search for entity details.
Looking Up an LLC in Wyoming
Your entity name is one of the most crucial decisions you can make when starting a new LLC in Wyoming. It will be associated with your brand and known by all your customers.
The easiest way to look up the availability of your business name in Wyoming is through the Secretary of State’s website. You can also use existing businesses' annual report records and business bank account details for your search.
Make sure to search the name of your company in multiple ways to ensure that your company name isn’t confusingly similar to existing businesses.
References:
- https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx
- https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=login&p_lang=english&p_d=trmk
