How to Do a Mississippi Business Name Search
Selecting the right name is an essential first step for your Mississippi LLC, requiring you to ensure the name’s availability. Searching the business entity database in Mississippi is vital to avoid infringing on existing business names and intellectual property rights within the state.
Our Mississippi LLC name search guide offers essential tips on checking LLC name availability in Mississippi, reservation, and registration, helping you secure a unique and compliant business identity efficiently.
Mississippi Business Entity Name Search Steps
Steps to look up Mississippi LLC name search availability:
- Visit the official website of the Mississippi Secretary of State. Go to the Mississippi Business Entity Search to check if your chosen business name is available.
- On the Secretary of State’s website, navigate to the Business Services section and locate the “Business Search” or “Name Availability” feature. This tool allows you to search for existing business names or check the availability of a desired business name.
- Click on the appropriate link to access the business name search tool. This tool typically provides a search field where you can enter the desired business name to check its availability or search for registered businesses with similar names.
- Enter the business name you want to search for and click on the “Search” or “Submit” button. The system will generate a list of matching or similar business names along with their registration status.
- Review the search results to determine if the business name you want is already registered or if there are similar names that might cause confusion. Pay attention to the registration status, as it will indicate if the name is currently in use or available for registration.
- If you find that the desired business name is available and not already registered, you can proceed with registering your business using that name. The Secretary of State’s website should provide information and resources on how to register a business in Mississippi.
Mississippi Secretary of State Entity Search Links
Here are some useful links to get started with your business name search in Mississippi:
- Mississippi Secretary of State website: https://www.sos.ms.gov/
- Business Search tool: Look for a specific business or check name availability: https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx?#clear=1
Note: It’s always recommended to consult with legal and business professionals to ensure compliance with all regulations and to receive personalized guidance for your specific situation.
Mississippi maintains an official database of all businesses registered in the state. This database includes contact information for anyone looking to form partnerships.
A Guide to Mississippi’s Business Search
Anyone looking to start a business or find out more about an existing company can use the Mississippi Secretary of State Business Search. Mississippi maintains an official list of registered businesses, including contact information for those looking to form partnerships.
The Secretary of State Office maintains the following along with the Business Services Division:
- Elections Division
- Administrative Services Division
- Section Government Records
The State Business Services Division compiles information about all registered businesses in the state. It works hard to ensure that entries are accurate and up-to-date. Y
ou can use a variety search criteria to search the database. Some criteria are very specific while others are more general. You can even search with obscure information such as the incorporating agent.
A business entity search can be used to verify the availability of a company name that a person is interested in using. To see if the name that you are interested in is available, you can conduct an online search. You can reserve it if it’s available.
If you plan to open a Mississippi company or expand an existing one, you will need to register the business. To legally register your company, you will need to file certain documents. You will need to file one or more of the following depending on your company structure:
- Certificate of Limited Partnership
- Certificate of Formation
- Articles of incorporation
You can use the search function to find detailed information about a company including its filing history.
By filing an LLC form with the state, you can have limited liability for the company’s obligations and debts. An LLC is a combination of partnerships and corporations. Although it is more flexible than a corporation, it provides protection and advantages that are very similar to the one you have.
| Visit the Mississippi Secretary of State: Business Services Name Search |
Advantages of an LLC
These are the benefits that LLCs offer to their owners:
- Limited liability: Owners have the same liability protection as a corporation, but an LLC is considered a separate entity that is similar to a corporation. Members will not be held personally responsible for company debts except for a personal guarantee.
- No minutes: A requirement for corporations is to keep official minutes, hold meetings and record resolutions. Because it does not require keeping minutes or resolutions, an LLC is much easier to manage.
- Flexible profit distribution: LLCs have the option to choose from a variety of ways to distribute profits. The split in a partnership is 50-50. However, LLCs allow for more flexibility.
- Flow-through Taxation: A company’s profits, losses, and expenses flow through it to its members. You don’t need to pay two types of taxes: an individual tax and a corporate tax.
How to Register a Mississippi Business Name
You can reserve your business name once you have found out that the desired business name is available. Download a Reservation Form of Name form from the Secretary Of State’s website. The following information is required to complete the reservation of name form:
- Type of business
- Name you wish to reserve
- Your name and address
A corporation officer must sign the form if you are registering a name. To reserve a name, you will need to pay $25. It is valid for 120 days.
Different business models need specific filing documents. These documents are:
- Corporation: Articles Of Incorporation
- LLC: Certificate Of Formation
- Certificate of limited partnership
You don’t need to register a company if you are a sole proprietor. However, you might want to file a “doing business as” (DBA), registration. This permits you to operate under a fictional name. This will protect and register your DBA.
A business search can provide valuable information to interested parties about a company. It’s also possible to find out if the name you want for your business is already available. It is as easy as visiting the Secretary-of-State and entering your search criteria.
Mississippi Secretary of State (Contact)
Mailing Address
Business Services & Regulation
Mississippi Secretary of State
125 S. Congress St.
Jackson, MS 39201
Physical Address
Michael Watson — Mississippi Secretary of State
401 Mississippi St.
Jackson, MS 39201
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email: secretary@sos.ms.gov
Phone: (601) 359-1633
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.
3. Check if the Domain Name is Available
To check if a domain name is available, you can follow these steps:
- Go to a domain registrar website, such as GoDaddy.com or Namecheap.com.
- In the search bar on the homepage, type in the domain name you want to check.
- Click on the search button to see if the domain name is available or not.
- 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi
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.
