Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Mississippi’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 an LLC in Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Time needed: 5 minutes.
There are guidelines to follow in doing a Mississippi 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 Mississippi’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 Mississippi.
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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi Secretary of State website offers a Business 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 other available options, i.e., Business ID, Officer Name, or Registered Agent.
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 “Starting with”. This way, it will show the names of the competing businesses in Mississippi starting with the same name as your proposed name. Or, there are other options such as “All Words”, “any words” or “exact match”. 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.
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 Mississippi
To reserve an LLC name in Mississippi you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Mississippi Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $25.
Starting a business in Mississippi? One of the first things you’ll need to do is reserve your LLC name. It may sound like a daunting task, but have no fear – the process is straightforward and can easily be done online.
First, it’s important to note what an LLC is. LLC stands for Limited Liability Company, which is a type of business entity that combines the liability benefits of a corporation with the tax benefits of a partnership or sole proprietorship. Essentially, an LLC protects business owners’ personal assets while still allowing them to take advantage of pass-through taxation.
Now, onto reserving your LLC name. Before you get started, it’s important to ensure that your desired name is available. You can search Mississippi’s business name database online to check for any existing businesses registered under the name you’re hoping to use.
Assuming your desired name is available, the next step is to file a Reservation of Name form with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. The form can be completed online via the Secretary of State’s website and costs $25.
When completing the form, you’ll need to include your desired LLC name, your name and address as the person filing the reservation, and your contact information. You’ll also need to list the nature of the business you plan to conduct using the reserved name. This could include specific products or services or a more general description of what your business will do.
Once you’ve completed the form and paid the fee, your LLC name will be reserved for 120 days. During this time, no other business can register under the name. If 120 days isn’t enough time for you to complete the necessary steps to register your LLC, you can file for an extension of another 120 days.
Keep in mind that reserving your LLC name is different from actually filing for your LLC. Reserving the name simply ensures that no one else registers under it while you complete the necessary steps to form your own LLC. To actually form your LLC, you’ll need to file Articles of Organization with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. This can also be done online.
Overall, reserving your LLC name in Mississippi is a straightforward process that can easily be completed online. It’s an important step in starting your business and helps ensure that your desired name will be available when it comes time to officially register your LLC.
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
