All LLCs should perform a Maryland LLC name search to comply with the Secretary of State’s naming rules.
Our team has created this Maryland business name search guide to assist you to check the Maryland LLC name availability. Apart from meeting the Secretary of State’s naming requirements, you must ensure that your desired LLC name is taken for use only by your Maryland LLC.
1. Discover the Guidelines for Naming an LLC
Discovering the long list of naming guidelines is the first thing to check off your to-do list. Before finalizing your documentation, it is crucial to complete an extensive Maryland entity search in order to successfully form an LLC. As a result, you must choose a business name that adheres to the naming regulations.
It is vital to distinguish your company name from the names of other legally registered business entities in Maryland. As a result, before registering your preferred LLC name, you must do a Maryland LLC lookup.
In summary, the following are Maryland’s LLC naming rules:
- In the name of your entity, you must include the abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.) or "limited liability company."
- You should avoid any mistake with governmental entities such as the FBI or the Treasury when naming your LLC.
- If you want to use prohibited words in your company name, such as Bank or Attorney, you may need to fill out extra paperwork or hire a specialist, such as a lawyer.
2. Conduct a Maryland LLC Name Search
It is a good idea to perform your search using websites such as the Maryland Secretary of State Business Search. Enter the desired name and delete certain terms like “LLC,” and leave all other fields blank to complete your Maryland LLC search more accurately. Thus, these steps will showcase all entities with the same or similar names.
What To Do If Your Preferred Name Is Unavailable
After conducting a thorough Maryland LLC name check and verifying the business records, there it was – your desired name was already in use. So, what should you do now?
Your only alternative is to brainstorm and choose a different LLC name that is legally accepted by the state. Also, it should not appear to be too similar to the one you previously chose. Then once finalized your potential LLC name, do a Maryland LLC name reservation as soon as possible.
This process can be potentially difficult for international LLCs that aim to expand.
Despite that your LLC is known in other states by its original name, you must adhere to the Secretary of State’s naming rules; you will need to change it if it is the same or too similar to an existing LLC name Maryland.
3. Choose a Web Domain Name
Our team suggests that you make sure you have a web domain name that matches your chosen business name. This modest effort will enable your potential clients to find your business online.
Domain registrars like GoDaddy will allow you to browse a vast diversity of domain names. Therefore, you will be able to select a URL that matches the name of your company.
Find a Domain Now
4. Reserve Your LLC Name in Maryland
LLC naming requests are managed by Maryland’s Business Express. Business names can be booked for a period of 30 days.
You must file by email or phone to reserve a company name. A filing fee will be required. Checks should be transferred to the Secretary of State.
Best LLC services
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Additional Considerations
Establishing a business is straightforward; nevertheless, some considerations must be made. Aside from the business entity search, you may do a trademark and social media search before deciding on a name for your company. As a result of further research, you will be able to find out whether or not you will be able to acquire your desired limited liability company name.
Trademark Search
When starting a new firm, you may want to prevent certain pitfalls. We recommend that you conduct a Maryland trademark search before completing your registration. This will let you explore the existing elements, such as logos and slogans. Furthermore, even if another local corporation has your desired business name as a trademark, this does not exclude you from using it for your company.
Furthermore, you may need to check the firm that is using your preferred LLC name, as well as the industry in which they operate and where they are situated. This will keep you away from violating other companies’ property rights.
In addition, consider the following steps:
- Conduct a trademark search to discover if your company entity name or associated slogans, logos, or others are already in use by another firm in your state.
- You can look through the data found on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website and discover if any other company in Maryland holds the same or similar name as your desired company name.
Social Media Search
It is essential to select a domain name that clearly fits your chosen LLC name, but another issue to consider is if you can create a unique account on social networking sites using the same name. It’s a good idea to use tools like Namecheckr which will enable you to scan your chosen LLC name across all social media networks simultaneously.
Conclusion
Choosing your Maryland LLC name is exciting yet challenging. As long as your chosen name is legal and unique, you can move forward with the process of formation.
After carrying out a Maryland entity search and finalizing the LLC name, you may have to decide on a domain name that matches it to help your potential clients easily find your LLC on the web.
Next, you can complete a Maryland LLC name reservation form, and you will see yourself set apart from the competition.
- Decide on your LLC name. It’s important to ensure that your name is legal and distinctive from the entity names in Maryland.
- Choose a registered agent. Every limited liability company is required to have an agent who manages the serving of process; this can be a person or a firm who accepts legal papers on behalf of the business.
- File Articles of Organization. A Maryland LLC is formed by submitting articles of organization to the Secretary of State.
- Prepare an Operating Agreement. This is a document that specifies how the LLC will function, how it will be managed, and the rights and obligations of each employee.
- Get an EIN. An EIN is a nine-digit number provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to businesses to assist them to be identified for taxation purposes. It is fundamentally a company’s Social Security number.
- File annual reports. All Maryland LLCs must file an Annual Report and Personal Tax Return (Form 1) with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation Personal Property Division. You may submit the report and return online via Maryland Business Express (MBE) or by mail.
To follow the Secretary of State’s naming rules and regulations, consider adding these words to your LLC name:
- Limited Liability Company;
- LLC; or
- L.L.C.
Moreover, your chosen name should not be comprised of words or phrases that indicate that it is formed for a purpose not specified in its articles of organization.
To file changes, Maryland LLCs must submit a completed Articles of Amendment form to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. This can be done via letter, fax, or in person. The state, however, only accepts typed papers.
It is critical that the name of your LLC be distinct from the names of any current firms on file with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. To check the Maryland LLC name availability, you may do a free name search on the Maryland.gov website.
- To submit the Articles of Organization, the Maryland Corporations Commission levies a cost of $10. Expedited processing costs an extra $50.
- In addition, the state of Maryland requires all Maryland LLCs to submit an Annual Report and Personal Tax Return, which has a $300 filing fee.
You are not required to change your LLC name in Maryland, but it is highly recommended. For example, if your company doesn’t provide the same product or service as specified in the articles of organization, you will need to renew your LLC name to clearly indicate the product or service you offer.
If you use a business name other than your legal business name, or if you haven’t registered your business and operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership, you must have a DBA.
What's Next?
Now that you have your entity name, it's time to take the next steps to establish your Maryland LLC. Check out our full guide on how to form an LLC in Maryland, where we can guide you every step of the way.
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