How to Do a Utah Business Name Search and Choose a Name for your LLC
Before registering your business in Utah, it’s important to check if your desired business name is available. The Utah Business Search tool, provided by the state, makes it easy to look up existing businesses and avoid filing errors. In this guide, we’ll show you how to use the tool and what to do if your name is already taken.

Are you thinking about registering an LLC in Utah, or another type of business entity?
If so, one of the most important early steps to take is to choose your business name. To do so in Utah, you’ll want to complete an online business entity search.
Using an online database, you can scan to make sure the name you want is available and ready for you to use for your Utah LLC.
Why do you need to do a business entity search [when starting an LLC]
A state business entity search is essential when you want to do business in Utah. The state requires that each business entity, whether it’s an LLC or some other type, have a unique name that is not in use by another business.
A business entity is the legal structure under which you operate. Many businesses in Utah and elsewhere choose the LLC structure for good reason. With an LLC, your business benefits from pass-through tax rules, flexibility in how the business operates, and excellent liability protection.
With an LLC in place, you’re ready to launch and grow your business quickly. By starting with a business entity search, you’ll be in compliance with state regulations and have a name that best represents what your company does.
State naming guidelines
Each state has strict guidelines that govern the business name a business can use and Utah is no exception.
When thinking about Utah’s naming guidelines, it’s best to think about them in three areas – requirements, distinguishability and restrictions.
Requirements
For an LLC, the state requires that your business name contain one of the following:
- Limited company
- Limited liability company
- L.C.
- L.L.C.
In addition, an LLC name cannot contain the words association, corporation, incorporated, limited partnership or L.P.
Distinguishability
The concept of whether your business name is distinguishable has several components. The state’s Division of Corporations and Commercial Code will ultimately determine whether a name is distinguishable based on the following criteria:
- A key word is different. A key word is defined as one other than an article, preposition, an conjunction or entity identifier, such as “corporation,” “company,” or “incorporated”
- Key words are the same but in a different order
- Key words are the same but are artistic, creative or unusual
- Key words have a distinctive difference in meaning in context and the words are not literally identical
In addition, the following items do not make a business name distinguishable:
1. The presence, absence or differences between the following words or abbreviations of them when used at the end of a sentence:
- Corporation
- Company
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Professional corporation
- Corp.
- Co.
- Inc.
- Ltd.
- P.C.
- Limited Liability Company / LLC
- Limited Company / LC
- Limited Partnership / LP
2. The presence or absence of words or symbols of these words:
- The
- A
- And
- Plus
3. Differences in punctuation
4. Differences in the use of special characters
5. Differences in capitalization
6. Differences in singular and plural uses of words
7. Differences in whether words or numbers are joined or a space separates them
8. Differences in abbreviations
Business names also cannot suggest that the business is a state agency or any of its political subdivisions without authorization to register the name. It cannot suggest that the entity is conducting business in a manner otherwise stated in its articles of incorporation.
Other roles include that the name must be in English or translated into English and that only nonprofit agricultural cooperatives can use the word “cooperative” in their names.
Restrictions
Utah also restricts use of names or related words without written consent from the appropriate agency for the following:
- U.S. Olympic Committee
- Department of Financial Institutions (the use of bank or related words)
Conducting a business name search in Utah – step by step guide with tips
Ready to conduct your search? Here’s how to complete a search.
Start by clicking on the Utah business entity search page.

The search lets you look for a specific business name. Note: It makes sense to start with a shorter, simpler name and see what already exists. Later, as you narrow down your choices, you can look for more specific names in the search field.
You can search for full names, beginnings of names, or, if looking for an exact phrase, putting quotation marks around the words.
In addition to searching by name, you can also search by:
- Entity Number. A unique identifier the state issues to each registered business
- Executive Name. You can search for last name, multiple names, the start of a name or an exact name (by placing the words in quotation marks)
Once you’ve searched on a name, you may get hits that the name is already taken. It can be helpful to look at one of those business entity records, which contains the information that Utah will capture and display for your business once it’s registered.
The listing contains the following information on the business:
- Name
- Entity number
- Company type
- Address
- State of origin
- Registered agent
- Registered agent address
- Status
- Renewal due date
- Status description
- Employment verification status
- History of the company – registration date and last renewal date
There is no fee to conduct a business entity search in Utah.
In Utah, you can also file a DBA (doing business as) name. This name will be different than your legal business entity name and can be used for public-facing purposes such as your signage, advertising, business listings online and business cards.
What can you do once you have a name [that is available]
Now that you’ve identified a potential legal name for your business, you can consider taking the following steps.
- Reserve Your Name. With a name that you’ve determined is not in use elsewhere, it’s time to reserve it with formal registration with the state. Registering your name protects it from being used by another company in the state
- Trademark Your Name. Trademarking a name helps protect it, preserving it for use and preventing others from using it without risking a trademark violation and legal action. Trademarking helps you build your brand with your name
- Secure a Domain. If your business is going to operate online, you’ll want your own online domain. With a domain, you can build a website, create company email addresses and have a secure online presence
Conclusion
Choosing the right name for your Utah LLC is an exciting exercise. By using the online search functionality provided by the state, you can be sure to find a name that’s not already in use.
Once you’ve got your name, it’s important to file an application with the state quickly. This ensures that the name you selected will be protected and filed in the online database.
With a name secured, you can quickly launch and grow your business.
FAQ
A business entity search helps you select a name that is not already in use in Utah and determine if it’s in keeping with Utah naming guidelines.
Use the online business entity search tool to determine if your desired name is available.
Filing an Application for Reservation of Business Name in Utah costs $22. Other costs associated with filing your Utah LLC can be found here.
Yes. If you operate your business under a name different from your legal business name, Utah law requires you to register it as a DBA (Doing Business As) with the Utah Division of Corporations. This ensures legal compliance and allows you to conduct business under that name.
If your desired name is already taken, do not despair. Simply search for a similar name and be sure it aligns with the state’s naming guidelines.
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