Maryland LLC Name Search
You'll need to conduct a Maryland LLC name search to check name availability for your new LLC.
This guide will help you establish your Maryland LLC with a distinctive and legally recognized name.
Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.
Check LLC Name Availability in Maryland
1. Do a Maryland Business Name Search
You can use the Maryland 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.” 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.
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 Maryland Naming Guidelines
Starting a business in Maryland requires adherence to specific regulations when naming your Limited Liability Company (LLC). Understanding these requirements ensures your business name is approved during the registration process.
This guide provides the essential information for naming an LLC in Maryland, simplified from the original legal jargon.
Appropriate Purpose
The name of your LLC should not imply that it is organized for a purpose that is not explicitly mentioned in your articles of organization. This requirement seeks to ensure that your LLC's name is reflective of your actual business operations.
Distinguishability
Your proposed LLC name should be unique and distinguishable from any other entity names recorded by the Maryland Department of State. The name should not be similar to another entity organized or authorized to transact business in the state.
The name also shouldn't resemble a name that has been reserved or registered under Maryland laws or an assumed name used by a foreign entity doing business in the state.
Foreign Entities
Foreign entities doing business in Maryland can register their entity name, provided the name meets Maryland's naming requirements and is distinguishable from other entity names on record.
The entity must provide its original name, the state or country of its organization, and a brief description of its business nature. The name is registered for exclusive use upon the effective date of the application.
Regulations
Maryland's Department of State has the authority to adopt regulations necessary to implement these guidelines, ensuring that LLC naming practices adhere to state laws.
Remember to check these guidelines before settling on a name for your LLC in Maryland to ensure a smooth registration process. You can find more information or confirm the most recent naming requirements by checking the official state sources.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Maryland Business Name
Regardless of whether you're ready to launch or still fine-tuning your business plan, you’ll need to secure your name through registration or reservation.
Register Your Maryland LLC Name
In Maryland, registering your LLC name is a straightforward process. The official registration of your business name occurs when you file the Maryland Articles of Organization. This key document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.
The Maryland Secretary of State's website provides comprehensive instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Remember: Choosing a professional LLC formation service can simplify the process by handling the registration of your LLC name and the setting up of your LLC. For more insights, check out our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your Maryland Business Entity Name
Maryland’s Business Express handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 30 days.
To reserve a business name, you must file by email or phone. You will have to pay a filing fee. Checks must be made out to the “Secretary of State.”
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Maryland Application for Reservation of Name
File By Email with the State of Maryland
Write to sday.charterhelp@maryland.gov
File by Email- OR -
File by Phone
Call (410)-767-1802
Fee: $25 + $20 for expedited services (optional)
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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:
- Do a Maryland trademark search 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 using the Maryland Business Entity Search, you'll want to secure your domain name so that your customers will be able to find your business online. Reserving your name with a Company Name Reservation 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
To conduct an LLC name search in Maryland, visit the Maryland Business Express's business entity search tool. Enter your desired LLC name and go through the results to ensure that your selected name is not already registered.
A Maryland LLC name search is crucial to confirm that your proposed LLC name is unique within the state. This step is key to avoid potential legal disputes and trademark infringement issues, which could arise if your LLC name is too similar to an existing entity's name.
You should ideally perform a Maryland LLC name search during the early planning stages of your LLC. If a considerable amount of time has passed since your last search and you haven't registered the name yet, it's advisable to conduct a new search before registration.
In Maryland, your LLC name must be distinct, should include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C.," and avoid words that might confuse it with a government agency or suggest a purpose it does not serve.
You cannot directly reserve your name through the state’s business entity search tool. But, once you have confirmed that your preferred LLC name is available through the Maryland LLC name search, you can reserve it by submitting a Name Reservation application to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and paying the applicable fee. This reservation lasts for 30 days.