To reserve a business name in Michigan, one needs to file for name reservation with the Secretary of State. Name reservation is generally done to protect the business name from registration till the time business is officially registered.
The business name can be reserved for the period of 6 months which can be further renewed. The business name reservation can also be transferred.
Michigan Business Name Requirement
Michigan Secretary of State has mandated certain requirements which you must keep in mind while selecting a business name.
The business name must be unique and distinguishable from any existing business entity name registered with Secretary of State. Also any difference in grammar, similarly sounding business name, or using stop words does not make the business name unique and it will lead to the name being rejected.
For example following names are not distinguishable:
- Justin Plumber LLC vs The Justin Plumber LLC
- Mango Farm LLC vs Mango Farms LLC
- Jake & Mary Corporation vs Jake and Mary Corporation
Required suffix in the business name:
- For Corporations:
Must contain either “Corporation”, “Incorporated”, “Company”, “Limited” or an abbreviation of one of such words. - For LLC
Must contain either “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited Company”, “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.” or “LC”
If the business is organized as a low-profit limited liability company, the business name must contain “L3C”
Prohibited words:
- Language stating or implying the business is organized for an impermissible purpose
- For LLC, “Corporation,” and “Incorporated” cannot be used in the name
- For Corporations, words such as “Bank,” “Industrial Bank,” “Deposit,” “Surety,” “Security,” “Trust” or “Trust company” can not be used without prior approval.
Checking the Availability of a Business Name
Michigan SOS provides an online tool to check the availability of any business name. You can use this tool to find and research name for your business. We have written an in-depth tutorial on how to search for a business name in Michigan.
How to Reserve Business Name
Business name reservation can be done either Online, by Mail or in-person. Filing for name reservation online is recommended as its more convenient and business name can be reserved instantly.
Online
| Link | Online |
| Fees | Limited Liability Company (6 months Validity) – $25.00 Profit Corporation (6 months Validity) – $10.00 Nonprofit Corporation (6 months Validity) – $10.00 Limited Partnership (4 months Validity) – $10.00 |
| Processing Time | Instant |
By Mail
| Download Form | Link |
| Fees | Limited Liability Company (6 months Validity) – $25.00 Profit Corporation (6 months Validity) – $10.00 Nonprofit Corporation (6 months Validity) – $10.00 Limited Partnership (4 months Validity) – $10.00 |
| Address | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Corporations Division P.O. Box 30054 Lansing, MI 48909 |
| Processing Time | Around 3 days after the receipt |
- Download the Michigan Name reservation form – Link.
- Fill the form with the requested details.
- Include the money order/check/credit card payment ($10 for normal and $25 for 24 hours processing).
Check/money order must be drawn in name of “State of Michigan”. - Send the filled form to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
In-Person
The filled form can also be deposited in person at the following address:
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI
Telephone: (517) 241-6470
Michigan Secretary of State Contact
For any queries, you can contact the SOS at 517-373-9280 during business hours.
Reference:
Last Updated: 17/07/2018
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source https://businessentity.org/mi/michigan-business-name-reservation/
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