What is a New Jersey Business Entity?

A New Jersey business entity is an organization that is legally recognized and registered to operate within the state of New Jersey. The process of setting up and managing a business entity in New Jersey is administered by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

There are various types of business entities that can be established in New Jersey, including:

1. Sole Proprietorship: This is a business run by a single person. There is no legal distinction between the owner and the business. The owner is personally liable for the business’s debts.
2. Partnership: Partnerships can be general partnerships, limited partnerships, or limited liability partnerships. This type of entity is formed by two or more people who agree to share the profits and losses of a business.
3. Corporation: This is a separate legal entity owned by shareholders. The shareholders elect a board of directors to oversee the organization’s activities. Corporations can be for-profit (C corporation or S corporation) or non-profit.
4. Limited Liability Company (LLC): An LLC is a hybrid type of legal structure that provides the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership.

The process of creating a business entity in New Jersey typically involves filing the appropriate documents (such as a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Incorporation) with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, and paying a filing fee.

Search and Look Up Business Names in New Jersey

A New Jersey LLC search is vital in order to ensure that your business name is unique and not identical to another registered company. A service offered by the state allows you to do a Name Availability Search. The site also allows you to browse the names of other businesses for free.

Searching for Names

When searching for names, you want to be precise. Search results can be affected by punctuation and spacing. The state will deny you permission to form a company using a registered name.

If your LLC was established outside of New Jersey but wants to do business there, you will need to verify that the name you used to create the company in your home country can be used in New Jersey. If the wrong name is used, it can hinder your ability to do business with New Jersey.

Business Name Must Be Unique

You must find a new name for your company if the preferred name is already taken. If your preferred name is already taken, you will need to create a secondary or “doing business under” name for New Jersey.

A “dba” is not allowed for domestic businesses. It is only available to foreign entities. If this happens, the registration of domestic business could be rejected. Filing online is impossible if you are a foreign company using a “dba”.

Reserve a Name

A name can be held until the formation documents is filed. The type of business you are operating will determine the amount and time required to reserve the name. You can only do business in New Jersey under an alternate name after you are authorized to do so.

Searching for a Registered NJ Business

For registered businesses, you can use three criteria:

• Business name This is a case-sensitive search for the exact name. An optional wildcard is automatically added to the end of your search string. You can enter as much information about the business name as you like. If you aren’t sure how the name is used, it might be a good idea not to include “LLC” and “Inc.” in your search string.
• Keywords You can enter up to five keywords with one keyword in each field. This is the best search method if you don’t know how your business name begins.
• Entity ID – To search this way, you must enter the 10-digit entity ID the New Jersey Department of Revenue & Enterprise Service issued to a company.

Verify Name Availability on the NJ Secretary of State’s Website

If you need to find a name available for your LLC or want to verify the status of an existing business entity, you can search the Secretary of State’s website. The website also offers a business entity search tool that allows you to perform administrative tasks on behalf of your LLC.

Search for Available Names

• Choose a name that conforms to the State LLC naming guidelines.
• Use the tool to search for the name you are looking for and check if it is available in New Jersey.
• Although it is optional, you can check if the title you are looking for is available as a URL. An email address is also worth considering when choosing an LLC name. You can purchase the domain name if it is not available. This will prevent others from buying the URL until you are ready to create your site.

You can find the following information by doing a search for business entities:

• • How well is the business doing
  • Address for business
  • If the company was legally formed
  • Registered Agent Address

Using the business entity search engine, you can also pay the Franchise Tax and obtain a Certificate Of Good Standing. This tool allows you to perform specific administrative LLC tasks.

Deciding on a name for your LLC

You don’t need to reserve a business address with the Department of the Treasury if you are creating an LLC. The name is automatically reserved for you when you register an LLC. Even if the company is not planned to be formed anytime soon, it’s a good idea to reserve the name.

New Jersey LLC Name Search FAQ

1. Why is it important to search for a business entity name in New Jersey? Searching for a business entity name in New Jersey is crucial for ensuring that your chosen name is not already in use. This step is necessary to comply with state regulations and to establish a distinct identity for your business in the marketplace.
2. How can I conduct a business entity name search in New Jersey? You can perform a business entity name search using the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ online business name search tool. This tool allows you to check the availability of your desired business name against existing registered names.
3. Is there a fee to conduct a business name search in New Jersey? No, conducting a basic search for business name availability on the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ website is generally free. However, there may be fees for more detailed information or certified documents.
4. What should I do if my preferred business name is already in use in New Jersey? If your preferred business name is unavailable, you will need to choose an alternative name that is unique and adheres to New Jersey’s business naming regulations. Having a list of alternative names can be helpful.
5. Can I reserve a business name in New Jersey, and what is the process? Yes, New Jersey allows business name reservations. You can reserve a name for a specific period by submitting a name reservation application along with the required fee to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
6. What are the naming rules for businesses in New Jersey? In New Jersey, your business name must be distinguishable from other registered business names. Additionally, certain business entity types like LLCs or corporations must include a specific designation in their names. The state provides guidelines on restricted or prohibited words.
7. How do I ensure my chosen business name complies with New Jersey’s legal requirements? To ensure compliance, review the naming guidelines provided by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Additionally, conducting a trademark search can help avoid potential legal issues.
8. After finding an available name in New Jersey, what are the next steps? Once you confirm that your business name is available, you can proceed with registering your business entity by filing the necessary documents and paying any associated fees with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
9. Can I use a different name than my registered business name in New Jersey? Yes, in New Jersey, you can operate under a ‘Doing Business As’ (DBA) name. However, you must ensure that the DBA name is appropriately registered and does not conflict with existing registered names.
10. How frequently is the New Jersey business name database updated? The New Jersey business name database is regularly updated to reflect new registrations and changes. For the most accurate and current information, it’s recommended to conduct your search close to the time you plan to register your business.

Additional Steps

1. Trademark Search

When searching for a business name, it’s important to note that availability doesn’t necessarily mean the name is free to use if it’s already a registered trademark.

To avoid potential complications down the line, it’s wise to conduct a thorough trademark search using the Trademark Electronic Search System before finalizing a business name.

2. Choose a Registered Agent

After you have chosen an LLC name that is distinctive and unique, you can now choose your LLC’s Registered Agent.

1. 3. Check if the Domain Name is Available

   To check if a domain name is available, you can follow these steps:

   1. Go to a domain registrar website, such as GoDaddy.com or Namecheap.com.
   2. In the search bar on the homepage, type in the domain name you want to check.
   3. Click on the search button to see if the domain name is available or not.
   4. If the domain name is available, you will be prompted to purchase it. If it’s not available, the registrar will suggest some alternative options or you can try a different domain name.

   4. Check if Social Media Name is Available

   Check if a social media name is available for a new business name

   5. Register New Jersey Business Entity

   When you complete the required documents for filing a new business entity, you then register your business and business name with the state. The state of New Jersey will either approve your business name or reject it.

   If you hire a good LLC service like Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness or Bizee, these LLC services have business name tools available for you to do a quick search.

   6. Register an Employer ID Number (EIN) With the IRS

   An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify businesses and other entities for tax purposes.

   7. Create a Brand Logo

   Creating a business logo involves several steps. There are affordable online services that can design a logo for you and assist with the process.

   Define your brand: Before you start creating a logo, you need to define your brand’s personality, values, and mission. This will help you create a logo that accurately represents your brand.

   8. Write a Business Plan

   Writing a business plan involves a comprehensive process that covers various aspects of your business, including the industry, market research, marketing and sales strategies, financial projections, and more.

   9. Open a Business Bank Account in New Jersey

   A bank account is generally required for a new Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation to separate personal finances from business finances and to establish a clear record of business transactions.

Note that the specific requirements for opening a bank account for an LLC may vary depending on the bank and state where you are located. It’s best to contact the bank you plan to use to inquire about their specific requirements.

New Jersey Secretary of State Contact Info

Office of the Secretary

Call 609-777-2581
P.O. Box 300, Trenton, NJ 08625

Department of State

Call 609-777-2581
P.O. Box 300, Trenton, NJ 08625

New Jersey LLC Name Search FAQ

How can I verify if an LLC is registered in New Jersey?

You can use the New Jersey Availability tool to check if your business name has been made available in New Jersey.

Do I have to name my LLC after me?

Although there is no prohibition against naming your LLC after yourself (most experts recommend against it).

An advantage of an LLC is that you can choose a different business name, which can make your business sound more professional.

What words are prohibited in a New Jersey LLC’s name?

It is not possible to include words in business names that suggest that the company is a bank or financial institution, or that it is affiliated with a local or state government agency.

New Jersey LLCs must be approved to include the following restricted words: bank, banker and banking; citius, concon, dba. e-com; express mail, handicapped; little league, mail; olympiad.

Do I need an LLC name generator?

An LLC name generator is a great tool to help you choose a name for your LLC.

What is a brand?

A brand name is the name that a company gives to a product line or product. It can be the exact same as the company name, or something else.

Do I need to include LLC in the name?

Yes.

What do I need to do to renew my New Jersey business name?

New Jersey does not require LLCs renew their legal names, but alternate names must still be renewed by the Department of the Treasury every five years.

You can renew online, or by mail. The $50 filing fee

Is it possible for my business name to be different from the name of my LLC in New Jersey?

Sometimes companies may choose to operate under a different name than their legal name. You can call this a “doing Business as” (DBA) or an alternative name in New Jersey.

New Jersey has a Department of the Treasury that accepts LLC alternate names.

Do I need a DBA for my LLC?

If your LLC plans to conduct business under another name than its legal name, a DBA is not required. You can find out more about New Jersey DBAs in our guide to.

Brian Wilson Writer and Editor

Brian Wilson is the content manager and founder of LLC Radar. Brian grew up in North Texas, just outside of Dallas, and has a bachelor's degree in business from Southern Methodist University. Since graduating from SMU, Brian has gained over 10 years of experience in business writing for several online publications. Brian resides in Plano, Texas and he can be reached by email:   info@llcradar.com Phone: 972-776-4050

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