How to Do a Business Name Search Maine
Learn the steps the steps for performing a Maine business entity name search with tools accessible from the Maine Secretary of State’s website.
Additionally, we’ll explore the significance of cross-referencing your proposed name with existing trademarks registered at the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Maine Entity Search Summary
Summary: To search for business name availability in the state of Maine, follow these steps:
- Visit the website of the Maine Secretary of State: https://www.maine.gov/sos/
- On the homepage, navigate to the “Business Services” section. You can usually find it under the “Business” or “Start a Business” tab.
- Click on the link or tab related to business name availability. It may be labeled as “Search Business Name Availability” or “Business Entity Search.”
- You will be redirected to the Maine Business Entity Search page. This is where you can search for the availability of a business name in the state.
- Enter the desired business name in the search field provided. Make sure to follow any guidelines or restrictions mentioned on the page.
- Click the “Search” button or a similar option to initiate the search.
- The search results will show whether the business name is available or already in use by another entity. If the name is available, you can proceed with registering it for your business.
- If the name is already taken, you will need to choose a different name or modify the existing name to make it distinguishable.
Please note that the exact steps and website layout may vary over time. It’s always a good idea to explore the Maine Secretary of State’s website thoroughly to find the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding business name availability.
For the most recent and precise instructions, you can visit the Maine Secretary of State’s website directly at: Maine Secretary of State Business Services. Look for the specific section related to business name availability or search functionality on the site.
Maine Business Name Search Links
https://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?Info
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/31/title31sec1508.html
The first step to forming an LLC in Maine is to search for your preferred name and ensure it is available.
Maine LLC names must be unique and meet certain state requirements.
Maine LLC Name Requirements
There are some requirements that you must know before searching for your Maine LLC name:
1. The abbreviations “LLC” and “L.L.C.” must appear at the end of your Maine LLC name. The most commonly used abbreviation is “LLC”.
2. A Maine LLC is not a Corporation. Your desired LLC name can’t use the words “Corporation”, “Incorporated”, or their abbreviations (“Corp., “Inc .”).].
3. The name of your LLC must be distinctive. It must be distinct from all the other Maine businesses.
Differentiability is not created by differences in designators (the identifiers at end of business names) or in grammar.
- LLC, L.L.C, Inc., Corp.
- Single, plural, and possessive
- A, An, The
- and, or, &
- hyphens, slashes, periods, commas
- Three vs.
Searching the Maine Name Database
1. Go to the DatabaseGoto the Corporate Name Search Page:
https://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x
2. Find your LLC
In the search box, type your desired LLC name.
You can leave out the “LLC” ending and punctuation.
Capitalization doesn’t matter.
You can be more specific by entering a portion of the first word.
3. Check out the Results
To browse the Maine business listings, click the ” search” button.
If the message ” Found no entities for query“, appears in Maine’s database, it means that your chosen LLC name is available and unique.
If you see names that are similar to yours (meaning they are distinguishable), your chosen LLC name can be used.
Your Maine LLC name cannot be used if the name you desire appears in this list. It is possible to come up with unique names or creative variations.
Your Maine LLC name may not be available if the results show a similar name. It is possible to come up with unique names or creative variations.
Tip Don’t worry if your Maine LLC name isn’t quite right. You can still file paperwork with the state. The state of Maine will notify you if your name isn’t available and send your file back.
After you have chosen a Maine LLC name that is distinctive and unique, you can now choose your LLC’s Registered agent.
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.
It’s a good idea to check the availability of multiple domain name options as your first choice may already be taken.
Additionally, if you are considering registering a domain name for your business, make sure to also check for any existing trademarks that may conflict with your chosen domain name.
4. Check if Social Media Name is Available
To check if a social media name is available for a new business, you can follow these steps:
- Start by choosing a social media platform where you would like to create an account for your business. Some of the popular options include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok.
- Once you have selected the platform, go to the sign-up page and try to create an account using your desired social media name.
- If the name is already taken, the platform will display an error message indicating that the name is not available. In this case, you may need to consider alternative names for your social media account.
- If the name is available, the platform will allow you to create an account using that name.
- It’s important to note that just because a social media name is available, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s free to use. You should still do your due diligence to ensure that the name is not already a registered trademark or being used by another business in your industry.
5. Register Maine 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 Maine will either approve your business name or reject it.
If you hire a good LLC service like Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness or Incfile, these LLC services have business name tools available for you to do a quick search. I recommend using any of these 3 services to assist you with forming a new business. They can save you time and provide you with guidance through the formation process.
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.
Here’s how you can get an EIN:
- Determine if you need an EIN: You’ll need an EIN if you have employees, operate your business as a corporation or partnership, file employment tax returns, have a Keogh plan, or are required to file any of the following tax returns: Employment, Excise, or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
- Apply for an EIN: You can apply for an EIN online, by fax, by mail, or by phone. The quickest and easiest way is to apply online through the IRS website.
- Provide the necessary information: When applying for an EIN, you’ll need to provide your legal name, trade name (if applicable), business address, and the type of legal structure of your business (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC).
- Wait for your EIN: If you apply online, you can receive your EIN immediately after completing the application. If you apply by fax or mail, it can take up to four weeks to receive your EIN.
Note that there is no fee to apply for an EIN. Once you receive your EIN, be sure to keep it safe and use it on all tax documents and forms.
7. Create a Brand Logo
Creating a business logo involves several steps. Here’s a general overview of 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.
- Determine the design style: Decide on the design style you want for your logo. Do you want it to be modern or classic, minimalistic or intricate, colorful or monochromatic? Consider your brand personality and target audience when making this decision.
- Choose the colors: Pick a color palette that reflects your brand personality and complements your design style. Colors have psychological meanings and can affect how people perceive your brand.
- Brainstorm ideas: Brainstorm several logo design concepts based on your brand personality, values, and mission. You can use online resources for inspiration or hire a professional logo designer to create a custom logo for you.
- Sketch your ideas: Once you have some logo design concepts, sketch them out on paper to visualize how they might look. This can help you narrow down your options and refine your ideas.
- Design the logo: Use a graphic design software program like Adobe Illustrator or Canva to create your logo design. Search on Fiverr for logo designs. Make sure it is scalable and can be used across different mediums.
- Get feedback: Share your logo design with colleagues, friends, or family to get feedback. This can help you refine your design further.
- Finalize the logo: Once you have incorporated feedback, finalize your logo design. Be sure to use high-quality images and files for your logo.
- Protect your logo: If you want to protect your logo, consider trademarking it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This will prevent others from using a similar logo and protect your brand’s identity.
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. Here are some steps to guide you in writing a business plan and links to resources that can help you:
- Executive summary: This section provides a summary of your business plan, highlighting key information about your business, target market, products or services, and financial projections. It should be brief but comprehensive.
- Company description: This section describes your company’s mission, vision, values, and legal structure. It also includes information about the management team, business location, and history.
- Market analysis: This section provides a detailed analysis of your industry, target market, competition, and customer demographics. It also includes information about market trends and growth projections.
- Marketing and sales strategies: This section outlines your marketing and sales strategies, including branding, advertising, pricing, and distribution channels.
- Products and services: This section describes your products or services, their features and benefits, and how they will meet the needs of your target market.
- Financial projections: This section provides a detailed financial forecast for your business, including projected revenue, expenses, profits, and cash flow. It also includes a break-even analysis and funding requirements.
Here are some links to resources that can help you in writing a business plan:
- Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA offers a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan, including templates and sample plans.
- SCORE: SCORE provides free business plan templates and guides, as well as mentoring and counseling services.
- Bplans: Bplans offers a wide variety of business plan templates, tools, and resources, including sample plans for different industries.
- LivePlan: LivePlan is a cloud-based software that provides business planning tools and templates, financial forecasting, and collaboration features.
- Canva: Canva offers a range of customizable business plan templates and design tools to help you create a professional-looking plan.
9. Open a Business Bank Account in Maine
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.
Having a separate bank account for your LLC will help you keep track of your business’s income and expenses, which will be useful for tax purposes, accounting, and financial management. It will also make it easier to accept payments from customers and pay bills, suppliers, and employees.
To open a bank account for your LLC, you will typically need to provide the following documents:
- Certificate of Formation: This is a legal document that shows that your LLC has been registered with the state.
- Operating Agreement: This document outlines the rules and procedures for running your LLC and is required by some banks.
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) Confirmation Letter: This is a letter from the IRS confirming your LLC’s tax identification number.
- Identification documents: You will need to provide personal identification documents, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID, and proof of address, such as a utility bill.
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.
Contact Information for the Maine Secretary of State
If you have any questions, you can contact the Maine Secretary of State by phone at 207-624-7752 or by email at cec.corporations@maine.gov
