New Mexico LLC Name Search

How to Do a Business Name Search in New Mexico

Selecting the right name is an essential first step for your New Mexico LLC, requiring you to ensure the name’s availability. Perfoming a business entity search in New Mexico is vital to avoid infringing on existing business names and intellectual property rights within the state.

Our New Mexico LLC name search guide offers essential tips on checking LLC name availability in New Mexico, reservation, and registration, helping you secure a unique and compliant business identity efficiently.

New Mexico Entity Name Search (Summary)

New Mexico Entity Name Search

To search for the availability of a business name in the state of New Mexico, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Business Services website and search the New Mexico Business Search tool to check if your chosen business name is available
  2. Click on “Business Search” under the “Search” tab on the left-hand side of the page.
  3. Enter the name you wish to search for in the “Business Name” field.
  4. Click “Search.” If the name is available, you will see a message stating “No Records Found.”
  5. If the name is not available, you will see a list of businesses with similar names. You can click on the business name to view additional details.
  6. If you are interested in reserving a name for future use, you can do so by filing a Name Reservation Application with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office.

What is a New Mexico Business Entity?

What is a New Mexico business entity

A New Mexico business entity refers to an organization that has been legally formed and registered to conduct business within the state of New Mexico. The process and rules for establishing and operating a business entity in New Mexico are managed by the New Mexico Secretary of State.

The types of business entities that can be established in New Mexico are similar to those in other states and include:

  1. Sole Proprietorship: This is the simplest type of business structure, owned by one individual. The owner is personally liable for the business’s debts and obligations.
  2. Partnership: This could be a General Partnership (GP), Limited Partnership (LP), or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). In a GP, all partners share liability, while in an LP, at least one partner has limited liability. In an LLP, every partner has limited liability.
  3. Corporation: This is a separate legal entity that is owned by shareholders. It can be a for-profit corporation (C corporation or S corporation) or a nonprofit corporation. Shareholders have limited liability, and the corporation has its own rights and responsibilities under the law.
  4. Limited Liability Company (LLC): This is a business structure that combines elements of partnerships and corporations. It provides owners with limited liability protection and can be easier to manage than a corporation.
  5. Nonprofit Organization: This is a business entity organized for a public or mutual benefit other than generating profit for owners or investors. Nonprofits are typically exempt from paying certain taxes.

New Mexico Secretary of State Entity Search

A woman with a laptop, searching business names on the New Mexico SOS Entity Name Search website.

When forming a business entity in New Mexico, you typically need to file the appropriate documents with the New Mexico Secretary of State, possibly pay a filing fee, and follow any additional rules or regulations specific to the type of entity.

Here is the link to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Business Services website

Here is the link to the NM Business Search page


Man doing a New Mexico LLC name search on a laptop

New Mexico Secretary of State (Contact)

Mailing Address

New Mexico Secretary of State Business Services Division
New Mexico Capitol Annex North
325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Physical Address

New Mexico Secretary of State
New Mexico Capitol Annex North
325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Email: Business.Services@sos.nm.gov

Phone: (502) 827-3600/(800) 477-3632


Tips for using the New Mexico LLC Search

You can search for information about an owner using the website of the Secretary of State (SOS). These steps can be used to search for an LLC already in existence.

  • Name – This is the most popular search option. You can filter your search using multiple keywords to find the right information.
  • Director – The name given to the person who owns or manages the company.
  • Register Agent – This is your company’s legal representative’s name and title. The owner’s name is not the registered agent.
  • You can also enter a business ID number in the appropriate field of the Secretary-of-State search portal.
  • Only one search result should be returned by the business ID option. Public information will include contact information for the LLC, details of the registered agent, details about the business ID number and names of the organizers.

The following steps will allow you to search name availability of your business entity through the Secretary-of-State search portal.

  • Choose a name that fits the guidelines and is appropriate for LLCs.
  • You can search for availability of names using the availability tool on SOS’s website.
  • To search for matches or availability, enter the name that you have chosen for your LLC in the appropriate field.
  • An image of the name you have chosen for your LLC will be displayed if it is available. If the name is already in use, an image will be displayed. A list of registered businesses that are in conflict with your chosen name will also be displayed.
  • If you plan to build a website, make sure the URL matches the company name. This is done at domain sale websites. No matter if you decide to use the URL or not, anyone can acquire it and use it for their own purposes.
  • A professional email address is recommended for your business that is distinct from your personal account.

These steps will help you search the Secretary Of State portal to find information about a company:

  1. Enter the name of the corporation or the New Mexico Public Registration Commission. You can also search by the name of the LLC director or registered agent.
  2. The results page contains information about the corporation, including its name and status. You can also click on the link to view more information.
  3. Additional information includes the date of incorporation, the state in which it was formed, the New Mexico State Corporation Commission number (NMSCC), the registered agent’s name, address, manager names, and the principal office address.

Reserve a corporate or LLC name

You can reserve the name if you search the Secretary of State database for the name you select. You can reserve the name for up to 120 calendar days.

  • Download the Reservation Application Form from the NMPRC website and complete it.
  • Send the completed form to Public Regulation Commission Corporation Bureau at P. O. Santa FE, New Mexico 87504-1269 with the applicable filing fee, if applicable,

Business Name Search in New Mexico: 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:

  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 Mexico 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 Mexico 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 Mexico

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.

New Mexico Business Name Search Guide – FAQs

Does the Secretary of State approve foreign businesses that want to do business in New Mexico?

Yes.

How can I verify if an LLC is being used in New Mexico?

You can use the New Mexico Business Search Tool to check if your business name appears.

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 Mexico 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.

What is a brand name?

A brand name is a 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 Mexico business name?

New Mexico does not require LLCs to renew its legal name.

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

Some companies prefer to operate under a different name than their legal name. You can call this a “doing business as” (DBA), name. New Mexico, however, does not allow DBA filings.

Do I need a DBA for my LLC?

New Mexico does NOT offer DBA filings.

author avatar
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

6 Comments

  1. Benjamin Thompson says:

    Brian, thank you for writing this informative article on searching and researching business names for an LLC in New Mexico. I found your step-by-step approach and clear explanations to be extremely helpful.

    It’s evident that you have a deep understanding of the subject matter and have provided valuable insights for aspiring business owners in the state.
    Benjamin

  2. Ethan Anderson says:

    Brian, your article on searching and researching business names in New Mexico is a great resource for entrepreneurs like me.
    Your approach to simplifying the process and breaking it down into actionable steps is commendable. I appreciate the emphasis you placed on conducting a comprehensive search to avoid potential conflicts and the inclusion of the relevant resources. I found a good name and now I plan to proceed with my LLC registration.

  3. Olivia Peterson says:

    Brian, I stumbled upon your article while researching business name requirements in New Mexico, and I must say, it was good. Concise, straight to the point with practical advice.
    The tips and resources you provided for conducting a thorough search are invaluable for anyone looking to establish an LLC in the state. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

Comments are closed.

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