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Whether you’re searching for the right Minnesota business name or registering your LLC name with the Minnesota Secretary of State (SOS), we can help. We’ve got all the information you need on how to conduct a Minnesota LLC search, plus business naming rules, assumed names and trademarks.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, regardless of which state they’re formed in.
Your LLC Name Must Be Unique
The business name you select cannot be in use by any other corporation or LLC in the state. This is why it's so important to perform a Minnesota Secretary of State business search before you begin your formation paperwork.
Your LLC Name Must Not Be Confusable With Another Business Name
It’s not enough for your LLC name to be unique. It also cannot be similar to the name of another LLC or corporation in the state. In addition, you cannot use any of the following features in an attempt to differentiate your business name from that of another business:
- Suffixes, such as Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., LLC, etc.
- Articles, such as “A,” “An,” or “The”
- The conjunction "And," or “&"
- The singular, plural or possessive forms of words
- Abbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
Your LLC Name Must Contain Certain Words
All LLCs must have the words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in their names, normally at the end of the name.
Your LLC Name May Have Other General Restrictions
Most states will not allow you to form LLCs with names that:
- Are similar to the name of a federal or state agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, Minnesota Comptroller, Minnesota Police, Treasury, etc.)
- Suggest affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
- Use the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee
- Imply a purpose that would be illegal for your business to carry out
Specific Rules for Minnesota Business Names
In addition to the general rules listed above, you'll need to follow some Minnesota LLC statutes.
For example:
Coming Up With the Ideal Business Name
Picking the perfect business name can be difficult. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:
- Best represent your product or services
- Appeal to your customers
- Be memorable enough to stand out
- Not be used by any other business in Minnesota
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free name generator.
Minnesota Business Entity Search
Once you have an idea of the name you want, you’ll need to perform a Minnesota business search to make sure another business in the state isn’t already using that name.
You can use the state's online portal to perform a name search.
You can also use our simple and convenient Business Name Search tool, which will search the Minnesota business registry for you.
Use Bizee’s Free Tool to Find Out Whether Your Preferred Name is Available for Your LLC in Minnesota
Check Your LLC Name
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Minnesota LLC name doesn’t infringe on the trademark or service mark of another business. The easiest way to ensure you're not infringing is to perform a trademark search through Bizee. If the trademark isn't already in use, you can even register it yourself.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Let Bizee run a trademark search for you.
Bizee’s Trademark and Registration Service
Minnesota DBA or Assumed Name
You may do business under a name different from your LLC's legal name. While many states refer to this as a trade name, fictitious name or "doing business as" (DBA), Minnesota calls it an assumed name. You may decide to use a Minnesota assumed name for a variety of reasons.
For example, your primary business might be called Minnesota Renewable Resources Holding Company, LLC, and you want to trade as Supreme Solar Panels. You could register an assumed name just for that brand. You'd do that with the Assumed Name form, or you can have Bizee do it on your behalf through our DBA service.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register and Manage a DBA or Trade Name Through Our Easy-To-Use Service
Get a DBA or Assumed Name
Register Your Business Name With the Minnesota SOS
You’ve performed a Minnesota Secretary of State business search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and determined whether you need an assumed name. Now you can register your LLC name in one of two ways.
- If you don’t want to form your LLC right now, you can reserve the business name. You’ll need to complete a Request for Reservation of Name form and file it with the Minnesota SOS. The name will be reserved for 12 months. You don’t need to reserve a name if you’re forming your business right away.
- If you’re ready to start your LLC, you can indicate your chosen business name when you file your Articles of Organization with the Minnesota SOS. Or you can have Bizee do this for you.
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Minnesota for You — And We’ll Do It for Free!
Start your LLC in Minnesota for $0 + State Fee ($155)
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FAQs About Naming Your LLC in Minnesota
How Do I Search for My Minnesota Business Name?
Use our free Business Name Search tool and enter your chosen business name. You can also perform a search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether any corporations or LLCs in the state are already using that name.
Are There Any Rules for Naming My LLC in Minnesota?
Yes. Most LLCs will have to follow general rules (applicable to all LLCs) and specific rules (applicable in the state of Minnesota). We’ve detailed these rules above.
Can I Do Business in Minnesota Under a Different Name Than My LLC Name?
Yes. You can conduct business under an assumed name. Details are above.
Can I Reserve a Name for My LLC in Minnesota?
Yes. The Minnesota SOS allows you to reserve a name if you don’t want to start your business immediately. Details are above. If you’re ready to start your business right away, you don’t need to reserve a name.
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