A Guide to North Carolina Business Name Search

North Carolina Business Entity Search

The process to register a business in North Carolina is dependent on the type of structure you choose. The first step prior to registering or incorporating is known as the business name reservation. You can choose a name for your company, but before applying for the name reservation, you will need to conduct a North Carolina business name search. This is a process that will help you ensure the availability of your chosen name. The search will reveal if any other company is using the same name in the state or not.

• You should choose a name that is easy to pronounce and remember like Jimmy’s Kitchen
• There are plenty of business name generators available online for you to use
• The business name should be chosen keeping in mind any possible future business expansions
• Try not to pick a name that is similar to the name of a competitor
• Ensure your chosen name doesn’t lead to trademark infringement
• Business names should always be consistent with the brand and convey the purpose
• Try to create a name that is web-friendly

What is a North Carolina business name search?

Every state in the US has a specific website that makes it easy to look up various entity information. The options available for this type of entity search will vary from one state to another. In some states, you will only need a name or part of a name to search the business name availability, while some other states may require a business registration number or filing number. Some states even allow multiple types of entity searches. You can conduct a North Carolina business name search through the secretary of state’s website.

Example: You want to establish a new company in North Carolina. The said business is a Software company based out of Morrisville, NC. You want to name it “OpenAnalytics Technologies”. Once you have chosen this name then the next step is to conduct a North Carolina business name availability search on the website of the Secretary of State. When you conduct the search, it brings up a similar company name – OpenAnalytics Technologies, LLC. The company has active status. This means you will not be able to use this name. Now if you change the name to “Open Analytics Technology” and conduct the North Carolina business name search again then it will show the availability of the said name.

Naming your North Carolina LLC

If you’ve decided to form a limited liability company in North Carolina, then it’s time to choose a name. This will be the official professional name of your LLC and will be considered the legal name as well. You will need to reserve this name after conducting a NC LLC name search and will be mentioned in the Articles of Organization. You can get help from AI-powered business name generators or look for company name ideas online. A business name will be the primary identity of your limited liability company and hence it will carry a lot of weight. Now, let’s look at two important aspects to consider when it comes to naming your limited liability company.

General LLC naming rules

One of the most important details to research when naming your company is the North Carolina business name rules and regulations. The naming and reservation of an LLC are governed by 2020 North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 57D – North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act – Article 2 and 2020 North Carolina General Statutes – Chapter 55D. The general rules for an LLC name are:

• The name should have words like Limited Liability Company or abbreviations like LLC or L.L.C.
• It may also contain a combination of words and abbreviations like “ltd. liability co.”, “limited liability co.”, or “ltd. liability company” pursuant to NC Gen Stat § 55D-20 (2020)
• This name should be distinguishable from any other name in the database of the Secretary of State. This can be checked by conducting a NC LLC name search.
• There are “Word Prohibitions” that you need to check before confirming a name. The state prohibits the use of words such as bank, realtor, banking, and trust among others.
• You need to also check the administrative code as well as the restricted list of words and phrases for specific industries or professions

Search an LLC name availability on the North Carolina Secretary of State’s website

Once you have successfully conceived a name for your LLC based on the state naming guidelines, the next step is to conduct the NC LLC name search. The Secretary of State offers an online option to conduct a name availability search. The search options available are to look for a name that starts with a specific word, exact word, and SOSID (Secretary of State ID number).

• Search by the company name starting with a specific word – This is the most common form of North Carolina business name availability search. This search can be used by both domestic and foreign entities. You can search for a name that starts with a specific word. Let’s look at an example to understand this process.

  Example: You want to start an LLC using the name Jimmy. Now if you use the “start with” option for a NC LLC name search then the word Jimmy will bring up 366 records of active and inactive businesses. You can check the database and form a name like Jimmy Allen LLC and it will show such a name being available.

• Search for a company using an exact word – The second option is to conduct a NC LLC name search using an exact word. Let’s look at an example to understand how this works.

  Example: If your chosen name is “Software Automation Consulting” and you conduct a NC LLC name search in the state database using this exact name. The database search will bring up information pertaining to an LLC that is currently active and based in Cary, NC. Now, if you make small changes to the name and search using Software AC or Software Advanced consulting then the North Carolina business entity search reveals that such a name is available for reservation.

Do you want to form an LLC in North Carolina?

Naming your North Carolina Corporation

If you’ve chosen to incorporate a new business in the state of North Carolina then you must begin by choosing a name for your corporation. Once a name is selected, it will be considered the legal name of your company. It is important to note that you will have to reserve the business name before filing the Articles of Incorporation. It is important to conduct a NC Corporation name search as a first step in the name reservation process. Let’s look at the various aspects to consider when naming your new corporation.

General Corporation naming rules

The North Carolina business name rules and regulations are different for different entity structures. It is important to follow the state guidelines, otherwise, there is a high probability of the name being rejected. The naming of a corporation is governed by the 2020 North Carolina General Statutes – Chapter 55D. The general rules for a business name are:

• The name should contain words like “incorporated”, “corporation”, “company”, or “limited”, or abbreviations like “inc.”, “corp.”, “ltd.”., or “co.” pursuant to NC Gen Stat § 55D-20 (2020)
• The name should be unique and distinguishable from the name of any other company in the database of the Secretary of State. This can be fulfilled by conducting a NC Corporation name search.
• You need to also check the restricted word list for specific industries or professions
• North Carolina has “Word Prohibitions”, which is a list of names that a corporation can use only under special circumstances. The state prohibits the use of words such as realtor, bank, banking, and trust among others.

Search for a Corporation name availability on the North Carolina Secretary of State’s website

Once you have finalized a name for your corporation, the next step is to conduct NC Corporation name search. The website of the Secretary of State offers an online solution to conduct a North Carolina business entity search. The entity search online can be carried out by using a specific word, an exact word or phrase, and SOSID (Secretary of State ID number).

• Search by a company name that starts with a specific word – This is the most common form of NC Corporation name search. This search can be used by both domestic and foreign corporations. You can search for a name that starts with a specific word. Let’s look at an example to understand this process

  Example: If you want to start a corporation using the name Flynn. Now if you use the “start with” option for the word Flynn then the North Carolina business entity search will bring up records of 91 active and inactive businesses that start with Flynn. You can refer to this database as a way of helping you identify the right name or a name that is available for reservation.

• Search by a company name using an exact word – The second option is to conduct a NC Corporation name search using an exact word or phrase. Let’s look at an example to understand how this works.

  Example: Your chosen name is “Flynn, Inc.” and you conduct a North Carolina business name availability search in the state database using this exact name or phrase. The search will bring up information pertaining to a domestic corporation that is currently active and based in Charlotte, NC. This means your chosen name is not available. Now if you change the name a little and conduct another search using the new name, which is Flynn Brothers Inc., then such a name is available for reservation.

Are you thinking of registering a Corporation in North Carolina?

Need any Assistance in North Carolina Business Name Search?

Every business is dependent on customers online and offline. Some businesses are dependent on vendors and business partners. Whomever the target audience may be, a business name is useful for creating just the right impact. Similarly, first impressions are equally important when it comes to attracting investors. A North Carolina business name availability search will ensure your chosen name is available and that you can reserve it. The entire process of a North Carolina business name search may look complex, if you begin to feel overwhelmed IncParadise can provide meaningful assistance.