Arizona LLC Name Search in 2023

Why is it Important To Do an Arizona LLC Name Search?

Before establishing an Arizona business name and LLC, all businesses should do an Arizona LLC name search.

By following the guidelines in this lesson, you may search the company database for the state of Arizona. A business entity search may be used to look into the specific filing history of any registered firm or to see whether a business name is already taken before registering it.

You’ll see that there are two separate websites available for doing searches, one for partnerships and the other for corporations and limited liability businesses registered in Arizona.

In the instructions below from the Arizona Corporation Commission, we’ll show you how to determine whether an LLC name is available.

Follow Arizona Naming Guidelines

Before you finish your Arizona business name search, we advise checking sure your business name complies with the rules.

The first and most crucial step in establishing your Arizona LLC is selecting a business name. Make sure the business name you select is both easy for potential customers to look for and conforms with Arizona’s naming regulations.

Your name must contain the terms “limited liability corporation” or one of its abbreviations, such as LLC or L.L.C. Additionally, avoid using words like FBI, Treasury, State Department, and other terms that may be confused for those of a government entity in the name of your LLC.

If the word “limited,” such as “bank,” “attorney,” or “university,” is used, you might need to have a licensed individual, like a doctor or lawyer, as a member of your LLC.

Do an Arizona Business Name Search

You can utilize the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Business Entity Search to see if your selected name is available before submitting your name reservation request. The best way to search is to enter the desired name, leaving off identifiers like “LLC,” and leaving all other boxes empty.

All entities with the same or similar business names will be returned by this. If you are unable to locate the name in your search, it is likely that it is available for use and has not already been taken.

You should be aware that Arizona does not register DBAs or trade names; thus, if you wish to do so, you need to contact the County Recorder’s office. The Arizona Secretary of State also accepts trade name registrations.

If the phrase “No search results were found” shows, your chosen Arizona LLC name is definitely distinct and one-of-a-kind. If your chosen Arizona business name is distinct and different from others’, the search results will display business names that are not overly similar to yours.

Your intended LLC name is confirmed to be unavailable for use if it appears precisely as you want it in the list. You will need to come up with a new LLC name or a distinctive variant.

If you come across an LLC name (or names) that are very similar to the one you want, even if the name may be accessible for use, you might want to think about coming up with an other, more original choice.

Search for an Arizona Corporation Commission or LLC

To access the connections to the business name search engine, go to this page and select the Name – Forms for entity name reservations tab in the top navigation.

The next step requires you to select the Online Entity Name Reservation drop-down menu.

You must type the name you have picked for your future entity into the empty field under “Name” in order to move on with your search.

To choose the sort of entity you want to search for, use the drop-down option next to “Entity Type.”

To start searching the Arizona Business Entity Database, click the Check Name button. You will see a new section appear in the search engine that indicates the name is available for use if your preferred name is not already in use and is therefore accessible to you. A link to reserve the entity name you sought will also be sent to you.

Find a Partnership in Arizona by Filing Number

To get started, go to this website. Then, click Start Search after entering a file number in the relevant field.

The outcomes ought to give you a single entity if everything is entered correctly. To continue, click the entity ID indicated in red.

Finally, you will have access to all the business data that the Secretary of State has made public.

Arizona corporation search name status

Looking through the list of search results to see if any expired names would match the firm is one technique to come up with ideas if a company is having trouble coming up with a solid business name.

For instance, if someone wished to create a new BBQ restaurant, they could type “BBQ” into the search field, which would then provide a list of suggestions depending on the results for company status:

Based on their classification, the status description will provide business owners with suggestions for possible names:

Active

Although the name is unavailable, the entity is active.

Inactive

Corporations that have ceased operations but may not have submitted the necessary papers to dissolve themselves are said to be inactive.

It is advised to call the Arizona Corporation Commission at (602) 542-3026 if there is an inactive business name that piques your curiosity.

Search Available Domain Names

Whether or not your preferred web domain name is available should be taken into account while choosing a business name. It’s crucial to have a URL that accurately reflects the name of your company. This apparently insignificant action can have a significant impact on how potential clients discover your company.

Use your favourite domain registration, such as GoDaddy, to do an internet search to find out if your desired URL is accessible.

Reserve Your Arizona Business Entity Name

All queries and requests about LLC names are handled with the Arizona Corporate Commission. To make sure the selected business name is accessible for use, Arizona requires all domestic and international LLCs to get a Certificate of Name Reservation before submitting formation forms. You can email or mail a request for this certificate.

There is a filing fee that you must pay in order to reserve your business name. You have the choice of filing either online or by mail, and each method has benefits of its own. If you submit your application online, it will be expedited and given special priority, but the cost will increase. You might want to think about mailing in a paper application if you want to reduce the cost of filing.

Other Considerations

While reserving the business name for your Arizona LLC is simple, there are several additional considerations you should make when deciding on the ideal name for your company. To check if your name may be used online, you could wish to do a trademark and social media search. By doing this, you may make sure that you can use your business name without limitations.

Trademark Search

Before registering, conducting a trademark search on your company name and any related slogans or emblems will help you avoid expensive future lawsuits. If you later learn that another company has trademarked your company name, you are not immediately forbidden from using it.

To ensure you do not unintentionally violate anyone’s intellectual property rights, it is crucial to be aware of who is using the name, what business they are in, and where they are situated.

To finish this process: To find out whether another company in your state is using your company name or any associated slogans, logos, or other items, search Arizona’s trademark database. Then lookup any federally registered trademarks connected to your company name in the electronic records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Social Media Search

Making sure your company name is accessible for usage on social media platforms is just as crucial—if not more so—than choosing a domain name that matches your operation. You may accomplish this by just conducting a name-only search for your company on each major website, or you can use a tool like Namecheckr to simultaneously search across all platforms.

Register Arizona business entity

Businesses can register their incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission after deciding on a company name.

Alternatively, you may register with businesses like Northwest Registered Agent or statutory agent, Incfile, or ZenBusiness, which can handle the filings for as cheap as $0 plus state filing costs.

Register TAX ID/EIN with the IRS

A firm is identified for tax purposes by its nine-digit EIN number. Consider it the social security number for companies. A limited liability company (LLC) can quickly and simply apply online for an EIN. Swyft Filings’ Tax ID registration costs $79 for Arizona firms.

Create a logo

Businesses with outstanding logos impress clients, help them stand out from the competition, and help clients recall your distinctive services in a favorable way. This is comparable to picking a distinctive business name.

It is simple to get a logo from Fiverr in 24 hours or less thanks to the rise of freelance marketplaces.

Plan your business

Writing a business plan may assist in organizing the thoughts of business owners and provide a roadmap for companies to follow. A well-written company plan makes an excellent first impression on investors and promotes responsibility.

With over 500 sample plans to pick from, the business plan software Liveplan.com may help make the process simple.

Companies that link together should think about using a formal operating agreement.

Open a business bank account

Businesses are obliged to have a company bank account because it helps keep personal and corporate funds separate. Additionally, it helps establish corporate credibility in the event that future business expansion loans are required.

Businesses cannot utilize a PO box as their principal mailing address and must have a business postal address in order to create a business bank account.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Arizona

You can reserve a name up to 120 days before registering the LLC if you aren’t ready to do so. Fill out the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Application to Reserve Limited Liability Company Name to do this. The name reservation fee is $10.

FAQ

How do I register for a Trade Name in Arizona?

Whether running a business under a name other than the owner’s legal name, you may need to register for a DBA, also known as “Doing Business As,” a trade name, an assumed name, or a fictitious name, if you are forming a sole proprietorship or partnership.

How do I form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Arizona

Do the business entity search first to make sure the name is accessible to use before launching your Arizona business name and creating an LLC.

An Operating Agreement, or simply the guidelines for how the LLC functions, is a document worth thinking about, especially for multi-member LLCs, even if it is not necessary in Arizona.

Be careful to apply for Arizona business permits after creating a Limited Liability Company and receive an Employer Identification Number (EIN). For the company, this serves as its “social security number.” Obtaining one from the IRS is free of charge.

Should I name my LLC after myself?

Although there is no prohibition against doing so, most professionals advise against it.

One advantage of forming an LLC is the freedom to name your company differently, which may give it a more polished appearance.

What conditions must be met in Arizona before naming an LLC?

There are a few prerequisites to creating an LLC in Arizona. The words “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or the initials “L.L.C.,” “L.C.,” “LLC,” or “LC,” in uppercase or lowercase characters, must be present in the LLC name.

The phrases “association,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” or anything pertaining to banking are not permitted in the LLC name. The LLC name must also be distinct from that of other entities and trade names.

Do I need to renew my business name in Arizona?

LLCs are exempt from Arizona’s legal name renewal requirement, but trade names must be updated with the Secretary of State every five years. Your trade name can be renewed online. There is a $10 filing fee.