Maine LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Maine’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting a Maine LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Maine

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing a Maine LLC name search. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Corporate Name Search in Maine’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and meets the state’s requirements.

    Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names.

  2. Check Domain Availability

    If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.

  3. File Name Reservation

    A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name by mail or in-person with a $20 filing fee (plus $50 for expedited services or $100 for immediate processing).

    You need to file for a name reservation by mail. Download the pdf file of the name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC, and Commissions, 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

    Check Maine’s online business services on the Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions website.

Check Name Availability
Online Business Services
Download Reservation form

Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC

  • Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
  • Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
  • Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.

Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.

Filing a Maine LLC Name Online

As a part of the process of establishing your LLC in Maine, it is important to have a suitable name for your LLC in accordance with the requirements of the State. The name of your LLC should be unique and abide by the naming guidelines issued by the Secretary of the State of Maine.

Before you establish your LLC in Maine, you must know if the proposed name of your LLC is unique and available for registration. You can check and file the LLC name online. Here’s how to do that.

Steps to Search the Name of Your LLC in Maine

1. Access the Corporate Name Search Tool of the State of Maine

The State of Maine provides a Corporate Name Search Tool to help you decide the uniqueness of the proposed business entity name. This Search tool plays a significant role in helping you decide whether the chosen business name is available for registration in the State of Maine or not. You may also keep a list of other backup names ready with you, so you can finalize a name in a few attempts.

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2. Enter the name

After you reach the search page, you can enter your name keywords in the dialog box displayed on the screen. Avoid the usage of identifiers such as LLC while typing the name to receive more accurate results. Maine’s corporate search results are limited to 100 records; thus, you should try variations of your proposed name to ensure you receive more accurate results.

maine-name-search-step2

3. Perform the Search

Search the availability of the chosen name on the website. Try different variations of a similar name to check if your selected name is already in use. The search result page will display the relevant details of the business already using the same name. Conduct thorough research of the name by using the provided filters before filing it with the Authorities to avoid any rejections or delays. You can take help from the search tips offered by the State website.

If you also plan on operating your business on online platforms, you should also check if a similar domain name for your chosen business name is available or not for your business to adopt.

Last, if you intend to set up a proper Trademark for distinct identification of your business, you can run a search on the Trademark Database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to check if the chosen name is already in use by some other business entity.

LLC Name Reservation

After finalizing a name for your LLC, you can file an Application for Reservation of name for up to 120 days for $20.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.

What if my name is unavailable?

For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Maine

To reserve an LLC name in Maine you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Maine Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $20. It can be expedited by paying an additional amount.

The first step in reserving an LLC name in Maine is to choose a unique and distinguishable name for your business. The name you select must not be identical or confusingly similar to the names of existing businesses registered in the state. Conducting a thorough search of the Maine Secretary of State’s business name database is a good way to check the availability of your desired name. It is also advisable to search the internet and social media platforms to make sure that the name is not already in use by another company.

Once you have selected a name for your LLC, you can reserve it by filing a Name Reservation Application with the Maine Secretary of State. The application can be submitted online through the Secretary of State’s website or by mail. When completing the application, you will need to provide your desired LLC name, the address of your LLC’s principal place of business, and the name and address of your LLC’s registered agent.

The fee for reserving an LLC name in Maine is $20, and the reservation is valid for a period of 120 days. During this time, the reserved name will be unavailable for use by any other business entities in the state. This gives you the opportunity to officially form your LLC and register the name without worrying about it being taken by another company.

It is important to note that reserving an LLC name in Maine does not automatically grant you the exclusive right to use that name for your business. To fully secure your chosen name, you will need to complete the process of forming your LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Maine Secretary of State. Once your LLC is officially established, your reserved name will be legally protected, and you can begin conducting business under that name.

In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in Maine is a vital step in the process of forming a new business. By selecting a unique name, conducting a thorough search, and submitting a Name Reservation Application to the Maine Secretary of State, you can ensure that your desired business name is available for use. Taking the time to reserve your LLC name can help you avoid potential conflicts with other businesses and establish a strong foundation for your new venture.

In Conclusion

LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name

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