Wyoming LLC Name Search
To find out if your desired LLC name is available in Wyoming, you will need to conduct a Wyoming LLC name search. You can do this using the Business Entity Search tool on the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website.
Found the perfect name? Make sure it’s available as a web domain and secure it today with GoDaddy.
Wyoming LLC Name Search Quick Summary
- You can check the availability of your desired Wyoming LLC name by visiting the Secretary of State’s WyoBiz database and using the Business Entity Search tool.
- To start, enter your desired name in the “Filing Name” field, leaving off entity designators like “LLC,” “Inc.,” or “Corp.” For broader results, you should select the “Contains” option.
- Remember to search both singular and plural versions of your desired name, as Wyoming determines distinguishability by ignoring spaces, punctuation, capitalization, and entity designators.
- If the search returns an active entity with the same or a very similar name, your name is likely unavailable. That said, names of inactive entities are generally available, as long as their status is “Archived.”
- Once you’ve confirmed your name is available, you can proceed to file your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. If you’re not ready to officially form your business yet, you can reserve the name for 120 days by paying a $60 filing fee.
- It is also recommended to search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database to make sure your desired name is not already federally trademarked.
- For further assistance, you can always contact the Wyoming Secretary of State Business Division directly at 307-777-7311.
Check LLC Name Availability in Wyoming
1. Do a Wyoming Business Name Search
You can use Wyoming’s Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired name.
To perform the most effective search, type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC”, and leave all other boxes blank. This will return all entities using the same or similar names. If your business name is several words, you can even search just the first two words to ensure you pull up all possible similar names.
Be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your paperwork to avoid rejection.
2. Search Available Domain Names
Another important consideration to make when selecting a business name is whether or not your desired web domain name is available.
Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This seemingly small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it online using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
3. Follow Wyoming Naming Guidelines
When starting a business in Wyoming, selecting an appropriate and distinguishable company name is crucial. Follow these guidelines to ensure your chosen name complies with the state’s requirements.
To check the availability of a name, focus on the distinguishable words and characters within the name you have in mind. The following words and characters are not considered distinguishable:
- XYZ Inc.
- X Y Z Corporation
- XYZ LLC
- ¡XYZ! LLC
- X’s YZ LLC
- X-Y-Z Limited Liability Company
- XY and Z Limited Partnership
- The XYZ Company Ltd.
- X. Y. & Z. LLC
- XYZ’s Co.
- XYZ³ LLC
- XYZ$Corp
Note: When comparing names, only consider the remaining distinguishable words or characters, such as “X Y Z.”
Company Designations and Abbreviations
When choosing a name, keep in mind that Wyoming does not consider entity designators like “Corporation,” “Corp,” “LLC,” “Limited Liability Company,” “LP,” or “Limited Partnership” to be distinguishable from one another. This means “XYZ Corp” and “XYZ LLC” would be treated as the same name.
Singular vs. Plural, Punctuation, Special Characters, and Other Words
Wyoming treats singular and plural forms of a word as the same name. For example, “Goose” and “Geese” are not considered distinguishable, nor are “Property” and “Properties.” Keep in mind that this also applies to Latin plural forms like “Cactus” and “Cacti.”
Capitalization, Spacing, and Statutory Designations
Pay attention to capitalization, spacing, and statutory designations in your company name. The state does not consider differences in punctuation, special characters, spacing, or capitalization to be distinguishable. For example, “Wildwood” and “Wild Wood” are treated as the same name, as are “Jack,” “jack,” and “JACK.” Words like “The,” “And,” “&,” and “A” are also not considered distinguishable.
Words Requiring Additional Review
Be cautious when using certain words that require additional approval. Names containing words related to education (such as “Academy,” “College,” “University,” or “School”) require approval from the Department of Education. Names containing banking-related words (such as “Bank,” “Trust,” or “Bancorp”) require approval from the Division of Banking.
Paper forms must be submitted for filing names containing these words, and the filing process may be delayed due to the approval process.
Remember to follow these guidelines and choose a name that is distinguishable and complies with Wyoming’s naming requirements. Conduct a thorough search and ensure your chosen name meets all the necessary criteria before proceeding with your business registration.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Wyoming Business Name
Whether you’re prepared to launch your LLC or still in the planning phase, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Register Your Wyoming LLC
Registering your LLC name in Wyoming is a relatively straightforward task. Your business name becomes officially registered when you file the Wyoming Articles of Organization. This critical document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.
The Wyoming Secretary of State’s website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Form an LLC
If you’ve verified your domain name and are good to go, we recommend using a professional LLC formation service like ZenBusiness ($0+ State Fees).
Reserve Your Wyoming Business Entity Name
Wyoming’s Secretary of State Business Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days. To reserve a business name, you must file an application by mail. When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Cheques must be made out to “Wyoming Secretary of State.”
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Wyoming Application for Reservation of Name
File by Mail With the Wyoming Secretary of State
Download FormFee: $60
Mail to:
Wyoming Secretary of State
Herschler Building East, Suite 101
122 W 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020
Other Considerations
While reserving the name for your Wyoming 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 Wyoming’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 by using a tool such as Namecheckerr to search across all platforms at once.
Bottom Line
According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Wyoming now processes over 59,000 new business applications per year.
With this volume, finding a distinguishable name for your Wyoming LLC can seem more competitive than ever.
Even so, don’t rush the process or settle for the first available name you find. Take the time to choose something memorable that reflects your brand, works as a domain, and won’t limit you as your business grows.
FAQs
To check the availability of an LLC name in Wyoming, you can visit the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website and access their business name database. Utilize their search tool to enter your desired LLC name and review the results to ensure its availability.
Yes, Wyoming has specific naming requirements for LLCs. The name must include the words “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” It should also be distinguishable from other registered entities and avoid misleading the public or implying a purpose it does not serve.
Yes, you can use your personal name as the LLC name in Wyoming, provided it meets the naming requirements. However, it’s recommended to consider potential branding and marketing implications when using a personal name for an LLC.
If your desired LLC name is already in use in Wyoming, you will need to choose a different name that is unique and available. It’s important to conduct a thorough name search to ensure your chosen name is not already registered by another business entity.
While an LLC name search is not mandatory before registering an LLC in Wyoming, it is highly recommended. By conducting a name search, you can ensure the availability of your desired name and avoid potential conflicts with existing entities.
Yes, the Wyoming Business Entity Search tool provided by the Secretary of State is completely free to use. You can conduct as many searches as you need to find an available and distinguishable name for your business without paying any state fees.
Reserving an LLC name in Wyoming costs a non-refundable $60 filing fee. You must file the Application for Reservation of Name by mail and include a check or money order made payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State.