Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Minnesota’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 Minnesota LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
How to Name an LLC in Minnesota
Time needed: 5 minutes.
There are guidelines to follow in doing a Minnesota 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.
- Check Name Availability
Search the Business Entity Records in Minnesota’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. - 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.
- 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 $25 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Minnesota. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Minnesota Secretary of State – Business Services, Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55103.
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 Minnesota LLC Online Name Search
As a part of your LLC registration process, it is important to have a suitable name for your LLC in accordance with the State naming guidelines. So, when you select a name for your LLC, you also need to run a quick search on the Minnesota Business Entity Search page to check whether the name is unique and there is no other business running in the State with the same name.
1. Access the Business Entity Search tool on the State website
The Minnesota Secretary of State website offers a Business Entity Search Tool to assist you in finalizing a name for your business LLC. This tool is helpful in deciding the uniqueness and availability of the name. Also, keep a list of backup names ready, so you can select a final name in a few attempts.
2. Run the Search
After you navigate to the Search page, you can run the search by Business name. To begin the search process, you need to enter the name in the blank space and then click on the “Search” tab. You can also conduct the search using another option, i.e., File Number.
3. Perform the Search
To finally search the name, there are different types of strategies available on the search page. The first type of strategy is the one where you can type in the keyword and you have to check the option “Begins with”. This way, it will show the names of the competing businesses in Minnesota starting with the same name as your proposed name. Or, there is another option “contains”. So, if you type in the words that your business’s name contains or exactly matches, this will give the results for all the competing businesses. You can also search by adjusting the filing status, i.e., Active or inactive. After the results are displayed on the screen, you can click on “Details” to find more information about all the registered business names.
While conducting the search, you can exclude usage of identifiers such as “LLC” to access wider results from different forms of business structures running in a similar name. Conduct thorough research of the name by using the provided filters before filing it with the Authorities.
If you also wish to use a Trademark for the distinct identity of your business in the State, you can run a trademark search on the Trademark Database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to see whether the chosen name is already in use by any other business entity.
If you also plan on conducting your business online through a website, you should also check if a domain name similar to your chosen business name is available or not.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Minnesota
To reserve an LLC name in Minnesota you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Minnesota Secretary of State by mail for $35 or in-person, online by paying a filing fee of $55.
If you’re interested in starting a business in Minnesota, you may have already realized one of the first steps is reserving an LLC name. This process is crucial, as it guarantees that the business name you have chosen won’t be taken by someone else in the future. Fortunately, reserving an LLC name in Minnesota is a straightforward process that can be done online or by mail.
Before you start reserving your LLC name, it’s important to ensure that the name you have chosen complies with Minnesota requirements. The name of your LLC must be distinguishable from names of other existing companies and businesses in Minnesota and have certain words that indicate a limited liability company – such as “LLC,” “Ltd.,” or “L.L.C..” The Secretary of State of Minnesota website has a search tool that you can use to check name availability.
Once you have ensured that your chosen name is unique and complies with Minnesota LLC requirements, it’s time to reserve it. You can reserve your LLC name in Minnesota either online or by mail. Filing online is the easiest and the fastest way, and it can be done by visiting the Secretary of State of Minnesota website. You’ll need to pay a $50 fee to reserve your LLC name. The reservation is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year before it expires.
The online LLC name reservation process in Minnesota is fast and secure. To reserve your domain name online, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website and locate the eServices login page. Create your account then click on the “Corporations” tab. From there, select “Create Business Filings”. You will need a valid credit card to pay the requisite filing fee. Once your credit card has been processed, you will receive an email from the Secretary of State containing either your certificate of name reservation or a notification that there is a problem or that you need to correct your information to successfully process the form.
If you do not have access to the internet or prefer the paper route, you mail your application. You fill out and file Form NB010-LLC Reservation of Name through the United States Postal Service. Avoid any errors and ensure all required components like signatures are correct to prevent delay in processing your application. Asses the payment method then provide your details like Name, Address, To reserve the name of: Proposed LLC name(space) etc., and mail to the Minnesota Secretary of State or hand over in person to their office proper forwarding.
After reserving your LLC name, you’ll be safe from any other business using it. Nevertheless, keep in mind that reserving your name doesn’t imply that the Minnesota Secretary of State has accepted your application for creating LLC (through Form MNLLC-1, of course) as that filing is insufficient to form the business. You need to file your Articles of Organization, which can be done through eServices or by mail. The website also offers guidelines on the same to ensure successful completion of process and avoid any subsequent correction or questions delaying the finalization of formation of the concerning business.
In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in Minnesota is a relatively easy process and will help ensure that the name you have chosen for your business remains available. As you familiarize yourself with the Minnesota Secretary of State portal, be sure to follow everything carefully to facilitate the endgame of owning your LLC and be legally set to rise within the market.
F.A.Qs
A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.
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.
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.
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
