New Mexico LLC Name Search
You'll need to perform a New Mexico LLC name search to check name availability for your new business venture.
We’ll help you start your New Mexico LLC with a unique and legally compliant name.
Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.
Check LLC Name Availability in New Mexico
1. Do a New Mexico Business Name Search
You can use New Mexico’s Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired name.
To perform the most effective search, type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC”, and leave all other boxes blank. This will return all entities using the same or similar names. If you can't find the name in your search, that means the name has not been taken and is available for you to use.
2. Search Available Domain Names
Another important consideration to make when selecting a business name is whether or not your desired web domain name is available.
Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This seemingly small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it online using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
3. Follow New Mexico Naming Guidelines
By following these naming requirements, you can choose a unique and appropriate name for your LLC in New Mexico.
Remember to select a name that best represents your business, appeals to your target audience, and is not currently in use by another business in the state.
Uniqueness
When naming your limited liability company (LLC) in New Mexico, it is essential that your chosen name is unique and not already in use by another business. This ensures that your LLC has a distinct identity and avoids confusion among customers. Conducting a thorough search of existing business names is highly recommended to ensure the availability of your desired name.
Distinguishability
In addition to being unique, your LLC name should not be easily confusable with another business name. While it is not required to be completely distinct from other names, it is important to avoid similarities that may lead to confusion.
This includes considering factors such as spelling, sound, and overall impression.
For example, if there is an existing business named "Sunrise Builders LLC," it would be advisable to choose a different name like "Sunrise Construction Services LLC" to avoid confusion.
Required Words/Abbreviations
New Mexico requires that your LLC name includes specific words to indicate its limited liability company status. These words can be:
- "Limited Liability Company"
- "LLC"
Including these words in your LLC name helps clearly identify your business structure to clients and partners.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your New Mexico Business Name
Whether you're prepared to launch your LLC or still in the planning phase, the next step is to claim your name.
Register Your New Mexico LLC Name
Registering your LLC name in New Mexico is a relatively straightforward task. Your business name becomes officially registered when you file the New Mexico Articles of Organization. This critical document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.
The New Mexico Secretary of State's website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Keep in mind: Utilizing a professional LLC formation service can simplify the process by handling the registration of your LLC name and the establishment of your LLC. To learn more, refer to our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your New Mexico Business Entity Name
New Mexico’s Secretary of State Operations Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days. If you have yet to form your business entity using the reserved name when the business name reservation expires, you may renew the name reservation.
To reserve a business name, you must file an application by mail. There is not an online option at this time. The fee is $20 and cheques must be made out to the “New Mexico Secretary of State.”
Be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your paperwork to avoid rejection.
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Need the Form?
Visit the the New Mexico Secretary of State's website to download the Reservation Form.
NM Secretary of StateConsidering Using an LLC Formation Service?
We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services.
Find out which is best for you.
Other Considerations
While reserving the name for your LLC is straightforward, there are some other things you should think about when choosing the best name for your business. You may want to do a Trademark and Social Media search for your name to see if it's available for use across the internet. This will help ensure you have full, unrestricted use of your business name.
Trademark Search
Conducting a trademark search of your business name and associated slogans or logos before registering can help prevent costly litigation in the future. Discovering that another entity has trademarked your business name does not automatically disqualify you from using it.
However, it is important to know who is using the name, what industry they operate in, and where they are located to be sure you do not inadvertently infringe upon anyone’s intellectual property rights.
To complete this step:
- Search New Mexico’s trademark records to see if your business name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state.
- Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s electronic records to find any federally registered trademarks associated with your business name.
Social Media Search
Just as important, or more so, than finding a domain name that fits your business is ensuring that your business name is available for use across social media platforms. You can do this by simply searching your business name on each major site, or use a tool such as Namecheckr to search across all platforms at once.
Bottom Line
Having a name for your business is an important first step for creating a successful LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred name you'll want to secure your domain name so that your customers will be able to find your business online. Reserving your name will help you stand out from the competition. With your name secured, you will be ready to take the next steps to formalize your LLC.
FAQs
The timeframe for receiving LLC name search results in New Mexico can vary. Typically, the search results are generated instantly after submitting the query through the online business entity search tool. However, in some cases, it may take a few minutes for the results to populate.
In New Mexico, you have the option to use your personal name as the LLC name. However, it is important to note that using a personal name may not meet the requirement of being "distinguishable" from other entities, so it is advisable to conduct a name search to ensure its availability.
While New Mexico does not have an extensive list of prohibited words, it is important to avoid using words that could mislead the public or imply that your LLC is a government entity or has a purpose it does not serve. Conducting an LLC name search helps identify any restrictions specific to your chosen name.
No, the name reservation period in New Mexico is generally 120 days. This timeframe allows sufficient time to complete the necessary filings and registration for your LLC. If needed, you can file for an extension or reapply for a name reservation if the initial reservation period expires.
Yes, you can change your LLC name after it has been registered in New Mexico. The process typically involves filing Articles of Amendment with the New Mexico Secretary of State and paying the required fee. It is advisable to conduct a new name search to ensure the availability of the new name before proceeding with the amendment.