Getting your Maryland business name right is one of the most critical stages of starting your organization. You need something that stays in your target audience’s heads and helps them associate your enterprise with your offerings.
But that’s not all — the legal aspect of naming your entity is even more significant. Your business name must be unique to remain in good standing with the Maryland Secretary of State and avoid lawsuits due to similarities with other organization names.
Thankfully, a bevy of tools are available to help you avoid legal trouble, one of which is our free Maryland business name search:
- Go to the business name search page
- Enter the name you want to use for your business
- Tell us your name, email address, and where your company is located
- Press “Submit” to launch your search
Once we receive your request, we’ll process it quickly and send the results within an hour. If your search tells you your name hasn’t been taken, we’ll guide you through the next step: name reservation.
Let’s first dig deeper into a Maryland business search. Read on, and we’ll tell you why a search is advantageous and the rules you need to remember when choosing a name for your organization.
Key Takeaways
- Performing a business name search prevents legal liability caused by using the same or a similar name as other Maryland enterprises.
- If you’re starting an LLC or corporation, your business name must contain a phrase or abbreviation that describes your structure (e.g., limited or incorporated).
- You should reserve your name after verifying its availability promptly to stop others who may want to use a similar name from getting ahead of you.
Maryland’s Business Name Conventions
One of the biggest mistakes in the small business world is rushing headfirst into the naming process. Some owners want to get it over as quickly as possible, so they select the first name that comes to mind. But there’s a few Maryland naming conventions that you must follow:
- Maryland LLCs must include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation (L.L.C or LLC) in the name
- Maryland corporations must include “corporation,” “incorporated,” or the “Inc., abbreviation in the name
- Maryland LLCs and corporations cannot use words or phrases in the name that may make others believe the business structure is different
- Maryland benefit corporations must include “Benefit Corporation” in the business name, or “Benefit Co./Corp.” as viable alternatives
- Business names cannot have the same or similar wording as government organizations, such as State Department or IRS
- Entity names must be unique and distinguishable from existing businesses
Benefits of a Maryland Entity Search
Many consider a Maryland business entity search redundant. After all, anyone can come up with a unique name that adheres to state requirements, right? Well, doing so is much trickier than it seems.
That’s because, as of 2021, there are more than 140,000 companies in the state.[1] Chances are, the owner of at least one of these enterprises had the same or similar vision as you when they established their organization, so the probability of names overlapping is high.
Therefore, don’t take any chances — always run your business name through an advanced search tool to verify your LLC’s name availability. Here’s what makes name lookups so beneficial:
Verifies Name Availability
One of the main reasons you want to start a business and receive an entity number is freedom. However, you can never be free if the concern you’ve taken somebody else’s name is in the back of your mind. A quick business name search is a great way to ease your mind.
Prevents Costly Mistakes
There can be many serious consequences of using the same or similar name as another enterprise. Fines are the least of your concerns. You might not even be able to get your enterprise underway. Additionally, an owner can sue you for a trademark violation.[2] A simple entity name lookup is all it takes to avert this scenario.
Speeds Up Your Business Launch
Digging through Maryland business databases takes ages. By the time you’re done, someone else will have likely taken the name, preventing you from reserving the entity name of your dreams. In addition, a manual search will delay the start of your business. A name search tool automates the process and expedites your launch.
Next Steps
If your Maryland entity search has given you the green light for your desired Maryland business name, it's not time to put your feet up. Here's what you should do next.
Complete Your Name Reservation
The first thing you should do after a Maryland business name search is to reserve the business name for your LLC. Once your name availability checks out, take the following steps to perform your name reservation:
- Download and fill out the Corporate Name Reservation Application.
- Mail the form to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation /UCC at 301 W Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Pay a $25 filing fee
Choose a Domain Name
If your business name is available and reserved, it’s time to select a domain name for your Maryland business. A domain gives you the reins of your online presence and reinforces your authenticity. Plus, it makes you discoverable on the internet, allowing more people to find your company.
Bear these tips in mind when selecting your domain name:
- Avoid domains longer than 63 characters
- Include a keyword
- Make it the same or similar as your business name
Consider a DBA
A DBA (doing business as) is a fictitious business name or trade name you can use if your Maryland SOS business search shows your desired name is unavailable. It eliminates the need to set up a new business entity if you can’t use your preferred name for your Maryland LLC. If you plan to register your DBA, this can be a simple and effective solution.[3]
Here are a few other scenarios where a DBA might be worth considering:
- Providing services or products unrelated to a business name
- Opening a bank account that requires a DBA
- Separating personal property from business property
- Looking for a name that reflects your mission better
Here’s how filing a DBA works in Maryland:
- Fill out your Trade Name Application
- Send it to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation /UCC at 301 W Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Pay a $25 state filing fee
File Your LLC Online
Ensuring you can safely use the desired business name for your Maryland LLC sets the stage for the rest of your filing process. Still, what comes after your Maryland entity search is much more challenging due to the piles of paperwork you must submit.
Why not outsource the work to Swyft Filings? We’ll do all the filings on your behalf, so you start your trade in good standing with the Maryland Secretary of State. Business documentation is smooth sailing with our LLC formation services — contact us today!
FAQs
How do I search for a business name in Maryland?
You can search for a business name in Maryland using the Maryland Business Express website. You can also use Swyft Filings’ free business name search to quickly determine if your preferred business name is available.
How do you check if a company is registered in Maryland?
The quickest way to check if an organization is registered in Maryland is to utilize the Swyft Filings free business name search. You can also access the Maryland Secretary of State business database on the Maryland Business Express website.
How do I find out if a business name is available in Maryland?
With a business name search, you can see whether your desired business name is available in Maryland. These tools go through the database of all companies in the state and find similarities to the existing names. You can safely use your LLC name if your search comes up blank.
What is the Maryland Secretary of State Business Entity Search?
The Maryland Secretary of State business entity search lets you look up any company in the state, along with key details about the enterprise, such as their registered agent.
How much does a Maryland business entity search cost?
Swyft Filings Maryland business name search is 100% free. Just fill in the required information and tap the “Submit” button.
How do I check the status of my LLC in Maryland?
You can check the status of your Maryland LLC by contacting the Maryland Secretary of State or using a business entity search, which includes basic information about your firm, such as its status, articles of organization, company name, phone number, and employer identification number.
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Bibliography
- United States Census Bureau. “QuickFacts Maryland.” Accessed May 24, 2023.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. “About Trademark Infringement.” Accessed May 24, 2023.
- Chamber of Commerce. “How to File a DBA in Maryland.” Accessed May 24, 2023.