Utah Business Name Search
Selecting the right name is an essential first step for your Utah LLC, requiring you to ensure the name’s availability. Doing a business name search in Utah is vital to avoid infringing on existing business names and intellectual property rights within the state.
Our Utah LLC name search guide offers essential tips on checking LLC name availability in the Utah name database, reservation, and registration, helping you secure a unique and compliant business identity efficiently.
Business Entity Name Availability Search in Utah
It is important to ensure that your name is legally available in Utah before you set up your Utah business. You can search Utah business entities database to see what is available and what has been taken.
Searching for a business name in the Utah database is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
- Visit the website of the Utah Business Search tool to check business name availability.
- Look for the “Business Search” option. This is where you can search for registered business names in Utah.
- Enter the business name you are looking for in the search field.
- Click the “Search” button.
- Browse the results. They will typically provide the name of the business, the type of business entity, the status of the business, the registered agent’s name, and the business’s address.
Remember, if you are searching for a business name because you want to use it for your business, it’s important that your business name not be too similar to an existing name. This could confuse customers and could potentially infringe on another business’s rights.
What is a Utah Business Entity?
A Utah business entity refers to a business organization that is legally recognized in the state of Utah. The Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code is the state agency that manages business registrations and renewals.
The types of business entities that you can form in Utah are similar to those in other U.S. states. These include:
- Sole Proprietorship: This is a business run by one individual. The business and the individual are the same legal entity, so the owner has personal liability for the business.
- General Partnership (GP): A business run by two or more people. The partners share personal liability for the business.
- Limited Partnership (LP): A partnership with both general partners (who manage the business and have personal liability) and limited partners (who are investors and have limited liability).
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): A partnership where all partners have limited liability, meaning they are not personally liable for the debts of the business.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): This 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 “owners” of an LLC are referred to as “members.”
- Corporation (Inc. or Corp.): A business entity that is owned by shareholders, managed by a board of directors, and is separate from its owners. It can be either a C corporation or an S corporation, depending on tax election.
- Nonprofit Corporation: A legal entity that operates for a cause or mission that is not about making a profit. Nonprofits in Utah are often eligible for tax-exempt status but must meet certain criteria.
Utah Secretary of State Entity Name Search
To form a business entity in Utah, you must file the appropriate documents with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code and pay any necessary filing fees.
The process and requirements can vary depending on the type of business entity.
Utah’s Secretary Of State provides a free entity searching database so you can quickly determine if your name is available.
Utah Business Entity Search
Business entities are the legal entity that governs how a business is organized. There are several ways to form business entities in Utah.
These include partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. The LLC (limited liability company) is the most commonly used business entity.
Your LLC is your official business name. This allows the state to know about your business operations. You can also protect your personal assets and start claiming company expenses in your tax filings.
Utah Secretary of State | Contact Information
Mailing Address
Business & Commercial Section
Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6705
Overnight Address
160 East 300 South (or 160 E Broadway)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Email: corpucc@utah.gov
Phone: (801) 530-4849
Why form an LLC?
Even if your business is a sole proprietorship, an LLC can help you protect your assets and yourself while your business grows. You can hire and scale employees through an LLC, which is more flexible than a business entity. However, you don’t have to create a board to oversee your business operations.
The foundations of an LLC
You will need to register with the Utah Department of Commerce and have a unique business name in order to create an LLC in Utah. You can also outsource this work to a company that assists in forming LLCs so that you can focus on your business operations.
Utah Business Entity Search by Name
You should search the Utah Department of Commerce database for your business name before registering it with the Utah Department of Commerce. This will ensure that your business name isn’t already taken.
It might be worthwhile to change the name of your business, even if it is not available. It is important that your business stands out from the rest and that customers don’t get confused, especially in small communities.
Business Search by Entity Number in Utah
An entity number is also assigned to business entities. This is the Employer Identification Number (EIN). Some businesses have a different public-facing address (a DBA). You can also use an EIN to locate their official registered name.
Utah LLC Search by Executive Name
You can also use the name of an executive of a registered company entity to search for businesses. This information is essential if you wish to contact the executive and see their business entities or how many businesses they own.
Looking for a unique business name in Utah?
It is essential to choose a unique name for your company. You should remove apostrophes from your business name search to avoid similar names. It’s easier to pick your business name if you know what is out there.
First Step
The first step to forming your company is choosing and registering your business name.
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.
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 Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah
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.
Is a Utah business license required for an LLC?
Utah does not issue business licenses. However, it requires that business entities be registered with the Department of Commerce. The city or county will then issue a business license.
You may need to obtain different licenses for regulated businesses, such as law firms, doctor’s offices, or general contracting companies. It’s best to contact the Department of Commerce with any questions specific to your company.
How can I check if a Utah business has a license?
The Secretary of State’s database allows you to search for Utah businesses. You can search by name or entity number to find more information.
Nice blog post, Brian! I now feel much more confident in my ability to search for a business entity name in Utah. I found a great name and now I plan to contact Northwest Registered Agent to do the filing.
Thanks Timothy
Brian, thank you for sharing this informative article on searching for available business names in Utah. The step-by-step approach you provided makes the process much less daunting.
Thanks Amber