A Guide to Arizona LLC or INC Business Name Search

A company begins its journey from being invisible to becoming visible and known due to its business name. The name of a company is the primary identification and hence needs to be chosen very carefully. You may have to undergo brainstorming and other processes for choosing a company name and will have to conduct an Arizona business name search as well. The search is a dedicated process for finding out if your chosen name is available or not. This guide has been specifically created so that you gain knowledge about Arizona business name rules and identify the various steps and processes involved in naming your business.

Set up LLC Set up INC

Arizona Business Entity Search

It is not far-fetched to say that a company can ride its way to success using a brilliant or creative company name. Yes, a business name plays a crucial role when it comes to attracting customers, creating meaningful vendor relationships, and promoting the various products or services of a company. A strong brand can even help in attracting investors. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to conduct an Arizona business name search. This is a specialized search that will help you to ensure your chosen name can become the company name permanently. Essentially, a business name can vary from something as creative as Adidas to an acronym like IBM (International Business Machines). At the same time, it is vitally important to maintain compliance with the Arizona business name rules.

If you are planning to form a foreign company in Arizona then a DBA (Doing business as) name is highly recommended. Most often than not, when foreign businesses conduct an Arizona LLC name search or corporation name search, they are unable to retain the same name with which the company was originally registered. In such a scenario, filing a DBA or trade name can be quite useful. Even when choosing a trade name, you will need to conduct an Arizona business entity search. Some of the aspects to consider while choosing the right business name or trade name are:

It’s important to go with a company name that is easy to spell or pronounce like Levis
Always try to ensure that your chosen name is easy to remember
The company name should be in-sync with the products or services being offered like Brad’s Software
It is also important to follow the Arizona business name rules and state guidelines
Your business name should be readily distinguishable from any other LLC or Corporation name in the state database
Try not to keep a name that is similar to your competitor’s name
Make certain that your company name is web-friendly
Always conduct an Arizona business name search prior to finalizing the name

What is an Arizona business name search?

Business name search or entity search is a process through which any company can identify whether their chosen name has already been taken by another company or not. This search is recommended only after you have identified the proper business structure. The reason being that if you want to start a limited liability company then your business name will indicate the same. Hence, you will have to conduct an Arizona LLC name search.

Example: If you want to register an LLC then according to the Arizona business name rules and guidelines, the name should end with Limited Liability Company or LLC. If your chosen name is APS Software then the entity you need to search for is APS Software LLC. The same rule applies for corporations.

You can conduct Arizona business name search or entity search on the website of Arizona Corporation Commission(ACC) or the Arizona Secretary of State. It is important to note that even if your chosen name is available, it will be approved only if it is distinguishable from any other names existing in the files of the Secretary of State and the Arizona Corporation Commission. Let’s look at an example to understand the concept and process of Arizona business entity search.

Example: You want to establish an advertising agency in Tucson, Arizona. You want to name it “Nuanced Media”. Once you have chosen this name then the next step is to visit the website of Arizona Secretary of State (Entity Search) or Arizona Corporation Commission (Search for an Entity Name). You begin the search by entity name or principal name. When you check for Arizona business name availability then it will bring up a domestic company with the same name and active status based in Phoenix, AZ. This means you will not be able to use this name. Now if you change the name to “Nuanced Multi-Media” and conduct the same search again then it will reveal the availability of the said name.

Naming your Arizona LLC

If you have decided to form an Arizona limited liability company then there are several processes that you may be required to follow for successfully establishing your business. One of the first steps is naming your LLC. You will not be able to register your company without the business name. If you have thought of a creative business name then it will help influence your clients as well as prospective customers. When choosing a name, you can conduct an Arizona LLC name search for company name ideas and also to check availability of the said name. Let’s look at the two important aspects to consider when it comes to naming your limited liability company.

General LLC naming rules

One of the most important areas to focus on during naming of your limited liability company is LLC rules and guidelines according to state law. The LLC name guidelines are regulated by 2019 Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 29 – Partnership, Chapter 4 Arizona Limited Liability Company Act, Article 1 General Provisions. The general Arizona business name rules for an LLC name are:

Your chosen name should have words like Limited Liability Company, limited company or abbreviations like LLC or L.L.C. pursuant to AZ Rev Stat § 29-602 (2019)
Your company name should not contain certain words like association, corporation or incorporated or abbreviations of these words.
According to the restricted words list, you cannot include words like bank, deposit, credit union, trust or trust company. They cannot be used in combination or separately.
Ideally, your chosen name should be distinguishable from any other name in the Database. If it is not distinguishable and you want to still use it then you will need to apply to the Arizona Corporation Commission for relevant authorization.

If your LLC name is compliant with the above mentioned state naming rules and guidelines then it will be easier for you to conduct an Arizona LLC name search. This will also negate the risk of your chosen business name getting rejected.

Search LLC name availability on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website

If you have established an LLC name that is compliant with the Arizona business name rules then the next step is to ensure you are able to reserve this name. In order to reserve or register the name with the state, you will need to first conduct an Arizona LLC name search. There are different options for conducting this search and they are:

Search by Name
Search by Entity Number
Search by Statutory Agent
Search by Principal Name

You will have to choose the first option to check Arizona business name availability. The rest of the options are applicable for entities already registered with the state. You will now need to write your chosen company name in the search widget. This search widget also known as ‘Search for an Entity Name’ is on the website of the Arizona Corporation Commission. Once you begin the Arizona LLC name search, it will bring up all or any name that may be similar to your chosen name. If the search says – no records found then it means your chosen name is available and you can go ahead and reserve it.

Are you planning to form an LLC in Arizona?

Set up LLC

Naming your Arizona Corporation

If you are planning to start a domestic corporation in Arizona then the first important step will be to identify or choose a corporate name. The importance of a company name lies in the fact that it helps in creating an emotional connection with partners, vendors, and consumers. The name thus plays a key role in defining the brand and increasing its visibility and recognition. Hence, you need to ensure that the corporate name is compliant with all Arizona business name rules. Once a name has been finalized, an Arizona Corporation name search will help you to ensure availability of such a name for reservation. Let’s look at the important aspects to consider when it comes to naming your business corporation.

General Corporation naming rules

If you are planning to register a domestic or foreign corporation then you will need to reserve a corporate name first. Either way, you will need to conduct an Arizona business entity search before you can reserve or register the name. The state guidelines for naming a corporation is governed by 2019 Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 10 – Corporations and Associations. Some of the important aspects to consider are:

Your corporate or company can contain the words company, corporation, limited, incorporated or association. It can also contain an abbreviation of any of these words like Inc., Corp, or Ltd pursuant to AZ Rev Stat § 10-401 (2019).
The name should not contain any language that states or implies that your corporation has been organized for a purpose other than that has been permitted by AZ Rev Stat § 10-301 (2019).
The Arizona business name rules state that there are certain words that cannot be used in the corporate name. They are also known as restricted words and include bank, deposit, credit union, trust, and trust company.
Your corporate name also should not contain words or abbreviations like Limited Liability Company, limited company, L.L.C., L.C., or LLC.
The corporate name chosen by you should be distinguishable from the names of any other company formed or incorporated in this state.

In order to ensure your chosen business name is compliant with the state naming guidelines, it is necessary to conduct an Arizona Corporation name search. This will also reduce the risk of your company name getting rejected.

Search Corporation name availability on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website

Once you have picked out a brand name or company name in compliance with state naming rules and guidelines, the next step is to look for an Arizona business name availability. This is facilitated by the online portal of the Arizona Secretary of State as well as the Arizona Corporation Commission. There are several options available but the one recommended for a corporate name search is “Search by Name”.

The process of Arizona Corporation name search is quite simple. All you have to do is write down your chosen name in the search box and click to begin the process. The Corporation Commission database will be searched and if your company name has any similarity with any other existing company name(s) then it will bring up all those names along with their current status (active or inactive). If no similarities exist or your Arizona business name name search says, ‘no records found’ then your chosen name can be reserved.

Are you thinking of Incorporating in Arizona?

Set up INC

Need any Assistance in an Arizona Business Name Search?

Business name or corporate name is an identity that will create a bridge between the company and your future customers, clients, vendors, and partners. An Arizona business name search is a process that clears the way for you to reserve the chosen company name. This further makes it easier to register your LLC or incorporate your company. Company name reservation also simplifies several other important processes like opening a checking account and issuing of business licenses.

The entire process of Arizona business entity search may look difficult. This is where IncParadise can assist you in a meaningful way. If you are planning to form a limited liability company or a C or S corporation then we can help you with new business formation requirements as well as additional services that will help you comply with annual state requirements.

Are you thinking of starting a new business in Arizona?

Set up LLC Set up INC