What is Business Entity Search for Utah?
The Utah Business Entity Search is a free service offered by the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. It allows access to information for companies in the registered system of the state. It is useful for people such as business owners who need to validate business names, lawyers checking for entity statuses, and founders conducting competitive research on other businesses.
Using Utah Business Entity Search, the users could access the registration information, statuses of businesses and addresses, and information on the officers. The system enhances transparency into businesses, which promotes legitimacy and compliance with state requirements.
Why Conduct a Utah Business Entity Search Before Launching A Business?
Conducting a Utah Business Entity Search is one of the essential steps to take before starting a business in the state. Here are a few reasons why:
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Searching for business names prevents other businesses from registering with the same name. This is also aligned with protection from infringing trademark rights in both state and federal business registration databases.
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Moreover, the businesses that are marked as competition are also verified in the system to check if they are defunct, expired, or dissolved to help ascertain business standing. Other businesses are also verified to ascertain their operating status.
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Business compliance with the business name and registration laws of the state is also verified as part of due diligence for trademark application. The Utah Code provides names that can be used for identifiable businesses.
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The system is also useful in direct checks by investors and partners for easing due diligence.
Skipping this step may result in name rejection, legal issues, and avoidable setbacks.
How to Conduct a Utah Business Entity Search: Step-by-Step Guide
Using the Utah Business Entity Search tool is a simple and efficient process. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to guide you through it:
Step 1: Visit the Utah Division of Corporations Website
Go to the official website of the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.
Step 2: Navigate to the Business Search Tool
On the homepage, find the “Business Search” link located under the Online Services or directly from the menu.
Step 3: Choose Your Search Method
You can search by:
- Business Name
- Entity Number
- Executive Name (officer or registered agent)
- Business Type or Status (optional filters)
Step 4: Enter Search Terms
Input the exact or partial name of the business you want to find. If you’re unsure of the full name, partial terms will still return close matches.
Step 5: Review the Results
The tool will display a list of businesses that match your criteria. Each listing will include the:
- Business name
- Entity number
- Type (LLC, Corp, etc.)
- Status (Active, Expired, Delinquent)
- Registered agent information
Step 6: Click for More Details
Click on any business name to view detailed information, such as:
- Registration date
- Principal address
- Annual report history
- Business officers
Step 7: Determine Name Availability
If no exact match exists, your desired name may be available. If you find a match with an “Active” or “Hold” status, you’ll need to choose a different name or modify it slightly to meet Utah’s distinguishability standards.
Utah Business Name Guidelines: What You Should Know
Utah has naming laws in place, aimed at protecting business clarity and avoiding duplication. When selecting a business name, ensure that:
- It is distinguishably unique and does not replicate a name.
- It does not include misleading terms regarding the nature and form of the business.
- Some words need prior approval from relevant agencies: “bank,” “trust,” or “insurance.”
Following these rules increases the likelihood of a streamlined business registration approval, avoiding prospective bottlenecks.
Utah Business Name Guidelines for LLCs and Corporations
In Utah, each business entity type has specific naming rules:
LLCs:
- Must include “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”
- Must not imply it is a corporation or any other form of business entity
- Must be distinguishable from all registered entities
Corporations:
- Must include “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or abbreviations like “Inc.”
- Must not imply it is an LLC or non-profit, unless it is
- Must adhere to the distinguishability rules as LLCs
Navigating these details is essential for naming and reserving a business.
Terms and Designators You Can and Cannot Use for Naming Businesses in Utah
Disallowed Designators:
- Without prior consent, “bank,” “credit union,” and “trust” are off-limits.
- Government affiliation terms are also prohibited, such as “FBI,” “State Department”, and similar expressions.
Prohibited Words:
- Disallowed terms include discriminatory phrases, obscenity, and profanity.
- Words that intend to mislead about the entity’s operations are also prohibited.
Required Legal Suffixes:
- LLCs: Must use “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company” for the legal suffix.
- Corporations: “Corp,” “Inc,” or “Corporation” for legal identification.
Adhering to the required legal suffix as well as avoiding the prohibited terms ensures that the name receives full approval with no issues.
These features make it possible to achieve even greater precision in the results returned.
How to Read Utah Business Entity Search Results
Results returned typically include:
- Business Name
- Entity Number
- Status (Active, Expired, Delinquent, etc.)
- Type: LLC, Corp, or Nonprofit
- Registered Agent and Address
With this information, you can assess the business and determine name availability.
Simulated Utah Business Name Search Example
Now let’s see a practical example.
- Search: “Pine Tree Ventures LLC”.
- Result: Name taken, status “Active”.
- Outcome: Unavailable; must modify name.
- Alternative: “Pine Tree Innovations LLC” or “Pine Tree Solutions”.
What If My Desired Utah LLC Name Is Unavailable?
When your preferred name is taken:
- Slight modification (keywords or locations can be added).
- Use synonyms or rearrange the phrase.
- Add a unique designator.
- Search other states if you plan to operate nationwide.
Being flexible and creative will help you devise something usable.
Business Name Must Be Distinguishable: Utah Legal Explanation
Every business name must be distinguishable from other existing names. This means:
- If “Utah Solar LLC” already exists, you can’t register “Utah Solar Co”.
- Switches like “Inc.” and “LLC” don’t make names distinguishable.
Acceptable Changes:
- Removing or adding defining details
- Word arrangement pivot
- Including another related keyword
Securing Business Name Reservations in Utah: A Complete Guide
If you would like a break before registering your business:
- Fill out the Name Reservation Application available at the Utah Division of Corporations.
- Fee: $22
- Duration: 120 days
- Available through online and mail applications
This period allows you the opportunity to prepare documents or finalize your plans.
Using the Utah Business Entity Search: What Types of Entities Can You Find?
The search tool holds data on:
- Domestic and Foreign LLCs
- Corporations
- Nonprofits
- Limited Partnerships
- DBA (Doing Business As) registrations
All entries come with registration, principal addresses, and agent information.
Utah Trademark Database vs. Business Entity Search: What’s the Difference?
These tools serve distinct purposes:
- Utah Business Entity Search: Check business name and entity status.
- Trademark Database: Protects marks on state and federal levels.
It is best to verify both before finalizing a business name.
What To Do After Finishing Your Utah Business Name Search
After confirming that the name is available:
- Register the business online with the Utah Division of Corporations
- Acquire an EIN (Employer Identification Number) through the IRS
- Designate a registered agent
- For LLCs, form an operating agreement
- Apply for necessary permits and licenses
Completing these steps will establish your business presence in the state of Utah.
How EasyFiling Can Assist With Utah Business Entity Search And LLC Formation
Business name searches and LLC formation in Utah can be challenging. EasyFiling makes the process easier with:
- Business and corporate name availability assessments
- LLC and corporation formation services
- Registered agent
- Compliance support and reminders
- Additional services include: business entity formation, registered agent, compliance reminders, EIN, and more
You can trust us to fully and compliantly launch your business in Utah.
Utah Business Entity Search: FAQ
Q: Does Utah Business Entity Search have a fee?
Business Entity Search is available for free. Visit the Division of Corporations site to access the search tool.
Q: How do I check if a name is distinguishable?
Names must be separated by at least ten letters and be entirely dissimilar, and have different meanings.
Q: Is there an option to reserve a name directly through the website?
Online name reservation is available for a fee of $22.
Q: Is it necessary for me to verify the trademark database?
Yes, especially if you want to maintain brand reputation outside of Utah.
Q: What time does the search take?
The search takes only seconds to conduct, and the retrieval of the results is immediate.
Conclusion: Step With Enthusiasm Into Your Business Adventure In Utah
You must undergo a Utah Business Entity Search for a more comprehensive and successful registration of your business. This is a key step to understanding that your business name must not be replicated, must be unique, and legal. Understanding the standard of the name as well as the search methods and the registration steps helps yo u, as an owner, to be geared and prepared for the controllable and successful business registration in Utah.
Are you looking to proceed? We help you with the tedious and repetitive paperwork while you strategically think of your brand.
Swostika Silwal
