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Swyft Filings is committed to providing accurate, reliable information to help you make informed decisions for your business. That's why our content is written and edited by professional editors, writers, and subject matter experts. Learn more about how Swyft Filings works, our editorial team and standards, what our customers think of us, and more on our trust page.
When launching a new business, you may rush to find an office space, interview employees, and fill out paperwork, forms, and applications. Amid this chaos, you can easily forget about one of the few things every business requires: the name.
A business entity name is your company’s identity. You’ll use it for marketing campaigns and promotional materials, ultimately helping people remember your company.
But naming your Michigan company isn’t as easy as you may think. The Michigan Secretary of State requires that your name is unique, meaning no other business in the state can use it.
Our business name search tool is free, easy to use, and the process doesn’t require more than a few minutes of your time. Just answer a few questions about your business, and we’ll let you know if your name is available.
Here’s how the process looks:
Tell us your name, email address, and desired company name (in this case, Michigan)
Get your results within one business hour
Reserve your business name if it’s available, or try again
See if your company name is available in Michigan with our free business name search service. There is no cost or commitment on your part. We will email you within 1 hour to let you know if your name is available Alaska and how to reserve it today.
Key Takeaways
You can confirm your Michigan business name is unique by conducting a business name search.
If your business name is available, you can reserve it for a set time to prevent others from grabbing it.
All entity names must follow the state of Michigan’s specific naming rules you need to follow.
Michigan’s Business Name Conventions
To register your new business name effortlessly, you must learn more about Michigan’s business name conventions prescribed by the Michigan Secretary of State. Adhering to them guarantees a fast and smooth process of naming your business entity.
Michigan LLC names must include words like “limited liability company,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or similar abbreviations[1]
Michigan corporation names must include words like “corporation,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or their abbreviations
Business names mustn’t include words that would confuse the company with a government agency
Business names can’t include words like “bank,” “trust,” “deposit,” or similar unless registering as a bank holding company[2]
Business names can’t imply your business is carrying out a purpose considered illegal in the state of Michigan
Benefits of a Michigan Business Entity Search
A Michigan business entity search can ensure your desired name is available, but conducting this search has many more important benefits:
Save Time
A business name search isn’t mandatory. So, you may think, “Why should I waste my time when I can register my name right away?”
Yes, you can try to register your LLC name immediately. However, there’s a risk someone else is already using the name you want, so your request may be rejected. This means you’ll need to repeat the process, thus losing precious time. A business name search prevents these scenarios.
Save Money
Registering a business isn’t free. A business name search prevents unnecessary expenses that come with trying to register a name that’s taken.
Get Closer to Entrepreneurship
Many future business owners become fully aware that they’re launching a business when they see the company’s name on paper. When you choose a name, you’re one step closer to getting business licenses and other essentials needed to set everything in motion.
Access Information Quickly
A business name search may sound complicated, but it’s quite simple. You only need to enter the required information and sit back while algorithms search the databases and present 100% accurate results.
Next Steps
You’ve run the Michigan entity search and found the perfect business name for your new company. But merely conducting the search isn’t enough to secure the name for your Michigan business. Here are your next steps.
Complete Your Name Reservation
After completing the Michigan business name search to check name availability and finding out the name you want is available, you may focus on other aspects of your business. However, this could be a mistake. You might return later to officially register the name and realize the business name is no longer available.
Unfortunately, these scenarios aren’t uncommon. But you can prevent them by completing a simple process: name reservation.
The state of Michigan allows you to reserve your name for a specific period, ensuring nobody else snatches it until you’re ready to continue with the process. You can reserve a name by completing the Application for Reservation of Name. You’ll need the following information:
Name and address
Date
Desired business name
Business entity type
Signature
The form is the same for name reservations for all business entity types, but there’s a difference in the filing fee and the reservation duration.
The reservation for an LLC name is good for six months and costs $25. If you want to reserve a name for a profit corporation, non-profit corporation, or a limited partnership, you’ll need to pay $10 for the six months. A limited partnership name reservation lasts four months.
You can submit the Application for Reservation of Name online, in person, or via mail.
If you want to do it online, head to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website, and fill out the application. Keep in mind that you’ll need to create an account to complete the process.
Those who want to submit their application in person or via mail must download and fill out this form and send it to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division at one of the addresses below.
In-Person Address | By Mail Address |
2407 N Grand River Ave Lansing, MI 48906 | P.O. Box 30054 Lansing, MI 48909 |
Choose a Domain Name
An internet presence has become essential for every Michigan business. Even if you’re not selling your products online, a website can help you spread the word about your business, attract customers, and boost sales. The website is also where you can communicate with your customers and address questions or concerns.
After the Michigan business entity search and name reservation, consider choosing a domain name for your future business. In most cases, you want your domain name identical or similar to your company’s name. But how can you know which domain names are available?
Squarespace’s easy-to-use domain search tool can help you quickly find and register a domain name that matches your Michigan business. You can then choose from Squarespace’s flexible website templates, pre-designed layouts, and curated design elements to build a website — no coding required. Start your business with Swyft Filings and receive a free domain from SquareSpace for one year.
Consider a DBA
Simply put, a DBA (doing business as) is your company’s nickname. You can use this fictitious business name for marketing campaigns, promo materials, or when communicating with customers.
Let’s say the name of your Michigan LLC is Mike’s Bikes and Bike Parts Shop LLC. You may have had to give your company this name because nothing similar was available. If you set up a DBA (assumed name), you can cut the LLC name short and use only Mike’s Bikes and Bike Parts or an even shorter version: Mike’s Bikes.
Like regular business names, DBAs need to be unique, meaning you should conduct a State of Michigan business entity search.[3] Once you do that, you’ll need to fill out the Certificate of Assumed Name and submit it online, in person, or by mail.
The filing fee for corporations and limited partnerships is $10, while the fee for LLCs is $25.
File Your LLC Online
After you conduct your Michigan business entity search, choose a domain, and maybe even file for a DBA, you’re closer to your goal of forming a Michigan LLC. We can help you enjoy a smooth ride and reach your goal quickly and easily with our LLC formation services. Once you’re up and running, we’re also one click away to help you obtain business licenses, file annual reports, or submit a business name change.
Enter your desired Michigan company name to see if it is available with our free business name search.
FAQs
What is the purpose of a Michigan Business Entity Search?
A Michigan Business Entity Search allows you to browse existing businesses, get information about a specific business, or check name availability for your company.
How do I find out if a business name is available in Michigan?
You can confirm if your business name is available by conducting a business name search.
How much does a Michigan business entity search cost?
A Michigan business entity search or name search is completely free.
How long does a business entity search take?
A business entity search does not take more than a few minutes. Swyft Filings’ business name search takes seconds to complete, and you’ll receive your results in less than one hour.
How can I find a person’s address for a business in Michigan?
You can typically find a business owner's registered address by conducting a Michigan business entity search through the Michigan Secretary of State database.
How old does a business need to be to be listed in the Michigan Business Entity Database?
A business appears in the Michigan Business Entity Database as soon as the paperwork is processed by the Secretary of State.
Bibliography
Michigan Legislature. “Michigan Limited Liability Company Act.” Accessed May 22, 2023.
Michigan Legislature. “Business Corporation Act.” Accessed May 22, 2023.
Department of Insurance and Financial Services. “Assumed Names/DBAs.” Accessed May 23, 2023.
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