If you’re starting a business and plan to register an LLC in Maryland, one of the first steps is choosing the perfect name for your company. But before you get too attached to a business name, you’ll want to make sure it’s available by running a business entity search. 

Conducting a simple search can save you time and hassle down the road. Read on to learn why a business entity search is so important, how to perform one in Maryland, and what to do once you’ve found an available name.

Why do you need to do a business entity search?

A business entity search allows you to see if the company name you want is already taken in Maryland. This prevents issues that could come up if you file under a name that’s already registered with the state.

Here are three key reasons to complete a business entity search before starting your venture:

• Avoid legal issues: If another business has the same or similar name registered in Maryland, you may face legal action down the road. Running a search minimizes this risk.
• Save time: Finding out the name you want is taken after you’ve already filed paperwork is a huge hassle. Doing a quick search first prevents wasted time and energy.
• Check availability: A search lets you see if the exact business name you want is available for registration in Maryland.

In short, completing a business entity search gives you confidence that the perfect business name you choose is free for you to register.

Potential legal issues to avoid

If you fail to do a business entity search, you could find yourself facing serious legal problems in the future. Here are some of the issues that can come up if your registered business name ends up overlapping with another entity’s:

• Trademark infringement: If your name is the same or very similar to another business’s trademarked name, they may sue you for trademark infringement. The legal fees and potential damages could be significant.
• Cybersquatting: If you purchase domains using the same name as an existing business, you could be accused of cybersquatting – even unintentionally. This can also prompt legal action.
• Reputation damage: Operating under the same name as another company could allow unhappy customers to mistakenly post negative reviews about the wrong business. This can harm an established brand’s reputation through no fault of their own.

Overview of Maryland’s naming guidelines

Before you search for names, it helps to understand Maryland’s business naming requirements. Here are a few key guidelines:

• Include an identifier: Your LLC name must include words like “Limited Liability Company” or accepted abbreviations like “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
• Avoid restricted words: Certain words like “bank,” “university,” or “insurance” can only be used if your business fits specific criteria.
• No repeats: You can’t choose a name that’s the same as another Maryland business name on record. Even minor differences may not be allowed.

Make sure any name you consider complies with Maryland’s naming policies. This will streamline your business entity search process.

Conducting a business name search in Maryland: Step-by-step guide with tips

Ready to search for your chosen business name? Follow these steps to look up availability using Maryland’s business entity search tool:

1. Go to the Business Entity Search Page

The search tool can be accessed directly through the link above. Make sure you’re on the correct page before proceeding. The search page has a simple interface with a search bar, drop-down filters, and buttons to run your search. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with where key options are located.

2. Enter your chosen name

Type the exact business name you want to search into the search bar. Be sure to include the LLC designation in your search terms. For the most accurate results, stick to official LLC names at this stage – there is an option to look up DBAs/trade names separately.

3. Select search type

Use the drop-down menu to choose either “Begins With” or “Contains.”

• Begins With: This will return results where names start with your search term. It gives you an exact match of other registered names starting the same way.
• Contains: This broadens the search to names that include your term anywhere within them. More results, but less precise.

Choose based on how widely or narrowly you want to search. Keeping it narrow at first is recommended.

4. Click search

Once ready, click the “Search” button to run your business entity search. Give it a few seconds to fully populate results.

5. Review results closely

Search results will display on the page. Scroll through and review each one closely and in detail. Expand any names that look similar to yours for further analysis.

Pay attention to names that are:

• Spelled the same
• Sound the same out loud
• Abbreviated the same way
• Similar in meaning or industry

Even minor similarities could potentially cause issues down the road. When in doubt, make note of any questionable names.

6. Modify search as needed

If your search returns an overwhelming number of results, try adjusting your filters to narrow it down.

• Search within a specific city rather than statewide
• Uncheck business types not relevant to you
• Switch search from “Contains” to “Begins With”

Repeating your search with new parameters can reveal if your name is available. Don’t hesitate to modify until your results are manageable.

7. Verify availability

If your name doesn’t appear at all in the Maryland business entity search results, congratulations – it’s very likely available! But for total certainty, consider using the official name availability verification process. This involves submitting your name for confirmation directly through the state. There is a small fee, but it provides official documentation proving your name is free to register.

Tips for an effective business entity search

Follow these tips to ensure your search gives an accurate overview of name availability in Maryland:

• Check Spelling Carefully: Small typos could miss similar names.
• Try Different Search Settings: Broaden or narrow your results by adjusting the filters.
• Search LLC and DBA Names: Look up both your official LLC name and any DBAs.
• Consider Sound & Meaning: Names that sound or mean the same thing could cause conflict.
• Compare Against Competitors: Search for names of businesses in your industry.

What can you do once you have an available business name?

Found an available business name through your Maryland entity search? Here’s how to lock it down:

Reserve the Name

You can reserve your chosen business name with the state of Maryland for up to 120 days for a $25 fee. This prevents anyone else from registering that name before you formally file formation documents. Complete the name reservation application directly through Maryland’s Business Express portal.

Consider trademarking your name

While reserving your name protects it at the state level, registering it federally provides broader protection. Applying for a registered trademark prevents other businesses nationwide from using your name or similar variations. The USPTO trademark application process involves legal fees and some time, but offers invaluable protection.

Purchase relevant domains

Your business name availability search probably considered “.com” domains. But secure any other domain extensions that make sense too. Buying available domains like .net, .biz, .store, and more prevents cybersquatting and strengthens your online brand presence.

Conclusion

A simple business entity search is a quick and easy way to ensure the perfect business name is free for you to register in Maryland. Following naming guidelines, searching thoughtfully, and taking strategic follow-up steps will set your new LLC up for branding success. Conduct your business entity search today to get started on the right foot.

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