All New Jersey business entities are required to follow the state’s naming requirements, which encourage doing a comprehensive business entity name search.
In this New Jersey Entity Search guide, we’ll show you how to check the New Jersey LLC name availability. You must guarantee that your selected business name is entirely and wholly utilized by your firm, in addition to adhering to the New Jersey Secretary of State’s regulations.
1. Discover the Guidelines for Naming an LLC
It is vital to do a New Jersey business name search before filing all of the appropriate papers to register an LLC; this is the first and most significant step in organizing a corporation. As a result, make sure to select a business name that adheres to New Jersey’s naming rules.
Your LLC name must be distinct from other registered company organizations in New Jersey. It is a good idea to conduct more research before submitting your application.
You should ensure that your name, or one very similar to it, is not being used by unrecognized firms such as sole proprietorships or partnerships, that it has not been trademarked by another business in your state or industry, and that it is otherwise accessible for use on the internet. This will help to guarantee that you have complete and unlimited usage of your company name.
In brief, the naming criteria go as follows:
- In the name of your entity, you must include the abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.) or "limited liability company."
- It is crucial to avoid any misunderstanding between your LLC and government entities such as the FBI when naming your firm.
- If you want to include prohibited phrases in your company name, such as Bank or Attorney, you may need to complete extra paperwork or hire a specialist, such as a lawyer.
For more information on entity naming rules and restrictions, visit New Jersey’s Treasury.
2. Conduct a New Jersey LLC Name Search
Prior to completing your name reservation request, you may check the availability of your selected name using the New Jersey LLC Search.
The steps to conduct an effective New Jersey LLC lookup are as follows. Write your preferred LLC name and remove certain terms like “LLC.” You will be able to discover all entities with names that seem similar to the name you have chosen. In case your LLC name consists of more than a word, you may minimize your search to the first two words; this will ensure to help you find all potential comparable names.
To avoid rejection, carry out a comprehensive search before filing your documentation.
What To Do If Your Preferred Name Is Unavailable
After conducting a New Jersey LLC name search and verifying the Business Entity Records, it was discovered that your chosen name was already in use. So, what are your next steps?
If your New Jersey LLC is already registered, your only option is to create a new legal name. Keep in mind that your company name should not be too close to the one you choose earlier. Then, once you’ve decided on a legal business name that meets the Secretary of State’s naming requirements, reserve it.
This step may become increasingly problematic for foreign LLCs.
Although your LLC’s original name may be recognized in other states, due to the naming restrictions, you may need to come up with a new name.
3. Choose a Web Domain Name
Finding the right domain name that is related to your selected business name is another vital step before forming an LLC. This modest effort ensures that potential customers may locate your firm through a simple web search.
On the websites of domain registrars such as GoDaddy, you may browse through a huge list of domains. Having stated that, you will be able to find a URL that perfectly fits your company name.
Find a Domain Now
4. Reserve Your LLC Name in New Jersey
All LLC name inquiries and requests are administered by New Jersey’s Secretary of State Department of the Treasury. For local businesses, business names can be reserved for 120 days. Foreign entities’ names will be reserved until the conclusion of the fiscal year. When the New Jersey LLC name reservation expires, you may renew it if you have yet to incorporate your company organization using the reserved name.
You should pay a filing fee while reserving your name. You can file online or by mail, and either method has advantages. While filing online will result in a higher fee, your application will be expedited and given particular consideration. If you want to save money on filing fees, you can consider submitting a printed application by mail instead.
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Additional Considerations
While establishing an LLC name in New Jersey is simple and straightforward, there are other factors to consider while naming your business. Before making a final selection on your company’s name, conduct considerable research, including a trademark and social media check. As a result, this step will assist you in ensuring that you have the legal right to use the company name of your choice.
Trademark Search
It is a good idea to conduct a trademark search in New Jersey prior to filing your business name and associated features, such as a slogan and logo, to avoid potentially costly difficulties. The fact that another firm has trademarked your chosen LLC name does not prevent you from using it.
It’s vital to establish who’s using the name, what industry they’re in, and where they’re situated to prevent unknowingly violating anyone’s intellectual property rights.
In brief, the following steps should be taken:
- Conduct a trademark search in New Jersey to determine whether another company in your state is already using your LLC’s name, slogans, or emblems.
- Search the databases of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to see if any other registered trademarks have names that are similar to your selected company name.
Social Media Search
Though it’s necessary to choose the right web domain name that corresponds to your LLC name, it is also crucial to ensure that it is available on all social networking sites. You can do a New Jersey LLC name check on all major social networks and scan them all at once with tools like Namecheckr.
Conclusion
Before forming a limited liability business, you must do a New Jersey LLC name search. The name you choose must be legal and distinct from the names of existing firms in the state.
After completing the New Jersey Entity Search and settling on a company name, you may need to select a matching web domain name in order for potential clients to locate your firm online.
You may distinguish yourself from the prospective competition simply by completing the New Jersey LLC name reservation form. Securing your ideal LLC name may assist you in moving forward with the formation of your company.
- Choose your New Jersey LLC name. Make sure that your LLC name is legal and unique. It must adhere to the state’s naming guidelines prior to submitting your documents.
- Choose a registered agent. All LLCs must have an agent that is able to handle the service of process in New Jersey. This can be a person or company that can receive legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
- File public records. A New Jersey LLC is formed by making a Public Records Filing for New Business Entity with the Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services of the New Jersey Department of Treasury.
- Get an Operating Agreement ready. Although this document is not required in New Jersey, we highly recommended it; it’s a document that indicates how the LLC will run and state the rights and roles of each member.
- File an annual report. The report must be submitted online via the New Jersey Division of Revenue Annuals and Change Services website. The application cost is $50.
- Obtain an EIN. Additional tax and regulatory standards, such as getting an EIN, business permits, and LLC documents, may be necessary.
Below are the words that must be included in your LLC name, according to the state’s naming guidelines:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC or
- L.L.C.
Furthermore, you must not use phrases that indicate the company was founded for a cause other than the one mentioned in its articles of incorporation.
You can send an amendment through mail, fax, or delivered by hand. If you mail or hand deliver the amendment, you must include both the original and a duplicate. All filings with the New Jersey Division of Revenue must be typed.
To discover if a company name is now available for usage, use the New Jersey LLC look-up service. You may also go through the names on file with the State of New Jersey to get an idea of which names are available. It is free of charge. Also, you will need to be precise while checking a name.
- The major expense of forming an LLC is the $125 filing fee with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services for your LLC’s Certificate of Formation.
- The annual report filing fee is $75.
It is required to update all of your LLC’s records with the state and government. In certain circumstances, New Jersey firms opt for changing their name. Whatever the reason, your LLC will have to go through the legal procedure of filing an amendment.
A DBA must be filed in New Jersey. This filing is applicable to both sole proprietorships and LLCs. Operating your business under a fictitious name necessitates a “doing business as” file. As a result, a business name must differ from the name under which it is registered.
What's Next?
Now that you have your entity name, it's time to take the next steps to establish your New Jersey LLC. Check out our full guide on how to form an LLC in New Jersey, where we can guide you every step of the way.
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