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.
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.
To reserve a name for your LLC in Mississippi, you must first ensure that the name you have chosen is available and compliant with state regulations. The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office provides a Name Availability Search tool on its website, which allows you to check the availability of your desired name. It is essential to select a name that is not already in use by another business entity in Mississippi and complies with the state’s rules and restrictions for naming an LLC. For example, the name of your LLC must be distinguishable from existing businesses, cannot contain certain restricted words, and must include the words “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviation.
Once you have confirmed that your chosen name is available, you can proceed to reserve it with the Secretary of State’s office. The reservation of an LLC name in Mississippi is done by filing a Name Reservation Application, which can be submitted online or by mail. The application requires you to provide details such as the desired name for your LLC, the name and address of the LLC’s organizer, and the duration for which you wish to reserve the name. The reservation period typically lasts for 180 days, during which time the name is held for your exclusive use, preventing other businesses from registering under the same name.
It is important to note that reserving an LLC name in Mississippi does not create an LLC or confer any legal rights or protections beyond the reservation period. To establish an LLC and gain full legal recognition and protection, you will need to file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and fulfill all other requirements for forming an LLC in Mississippi. However, reserving a name for your LLC in advance can give you peace of mind and assurance that your chosen name will be available when you are ready to officially establish your business.
In conclusion, reserving a name for your LLC in Mississippi is a crucial initial step in the process of starting a business and establishing a strong foundation for success. By following the guidelines set forth by the Mississippi Secretary of State and completing the necessary steps to reserve your chosen name, you can set your business on the path to legal compliance and protection. Taking the time to reserve a unique and compliant name for your LLC demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and attention to detail, which are essential qualities for building a successful and reputable business in Mississippi.
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