Montana 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 Montana’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 Montana LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Montana

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing a Montana 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 Business Entity Records in Montana’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 online, by mail, or in person with a $20 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Montana. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to LINDA McCULLOCH, Secretary of State, P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801.

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.

How to do a Montana LLC Online Name Search

It is crucial to select the name you want to use for your LLC. If you’ve got a distinctive name for your LLC and no other company is using it, you’ll have to look up the Montana state site to confirm its availability. Check out these tips to find out more.

Utilize the search engine for business entities in the state’s tool.

The Montana Secretary of State will offer an online business search site. This tool can assist you in determining whether the name you’re looking to purchase is available for use for your company. It is only necessary to keep backup names, so you can easily choose a different name in case the first choice is no longer available.

Enter your name

There are different kinds of searches that you can perform on the page for search. You can look up business, notary, liens, trademark, or CRA. Since you want to check the availability of the name that you want to use for your LLC, then go for the business search.

Do the Search

If you hit the ‘Advance’ button, you’ll find that there are two ways of finding a name. Enter the search term, then choose the “contains” option. Then, it will show the names of businesses containing the keyword in their names. You can also select “starts with.” This will give results for businesses with names starting with the word you typed.

You can further filter the search by entity type, subtype, or status. There are also state and country filters.

Searches will reveal information on the current status of companies. Statuses may be a voluntary dissolution or involuntarily dissolved, or they can be in good standing. Among all the possible statuses, only voluntary dissolution permits you to use the name of your company.

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 Montana

To reserve an LLC name in Montana you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Montana Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $10. It can be expedited by paying an additional amount.

When starting a business in Montana, one of the first steps is choosing a name for your LLC. Your chosen name should be unique and not already in use by another business in the state. To ensure that your desired name is available and reserved for your use, you can file an application to reserve the name with the Montana Secretary of State.

To reserve an LLC name in Montana, you will need to submit an Application for Reservation of Name form to the Secretary of State. The form requests information such as the name you wish to reserve, your name and address, and your signature. There is a filing fee associated with submitting the form, which can vary depending on the type of service requested.

Once the form is processed and approved by the Secretary of State, your LLC name will be reserved for a period of 120 days. This gives you time to prepare and file the necessary paperwork to officially register your LLC with the state. It’s important to note that reserving a name does not automatically register your LLC – you will still need to follow the required steps to complete the registration process.

Reserving an LLC name can give you peace of mind knowing that your desired business name is secured and not at risk of being used by another entity. It also allows you time to finalize other aspects of starting your business without the added pressure of someone else potentially taking the name you want.

When choosing a name for your LLC, it’s important to consider the branding and marketing potential of the name. Your business name is often the first impression customers will have of your company, so it should reflect your brand identity and resonate with your target audience. Taking the time to reserve a name that aligns with your business goals and values can set you up for success as you launch your venture.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in Montana is a straightforward process that can provide valuable benefits for aspiring business owners. By following the necessary steps and ensuring your chosen name is available, you can take a proactive approach to securing your business identity and laying the foundation for a successful future.

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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