Key Takeaways

  • A Minnesota LLC name search helps confirm that your desired business name is available and complies with state naming laws.
  • The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website offers both basic and advanced search options by name or file number.
  • To form a compliant LLC name, avoid restricted words, ensure uniqueness, and include “LLC” or “L.L.C.” as a designator.
  • The business database also allows you to view filing history, registered agent information, and request Certificates of Good Standing.
  • Reserving an LLC name in Minnesota costs $35 by mail or $55 online and holds the name for 12 months.

An MN LLC lookup is a way to search for public information on existing LLCs in Minnesota, as well as check the availability of an LLC name you want to use.

LLC Name Search and Name Requirements

You must first make sure the LLC name you want to use in Minnesota is available, and a name search will give you this information. 

LLC names have to be unique and adhere to specific requirements. You must include a designator at the end of your LLC name, such as LLC or L.L.C., which stand for limited liability company. LLC is the most commonly used designator.

You can't use the words Incorporated or corporation in your LLC name because an LLC isn't a corporation. You also can't use abbreviations for those words, i.e., inc. or corp.

Your LLC name has to be unique and different from all existing business entity names in the state. Grammatical differences and different designators don't create distinguishability. 

The following are examples of differences that don't constitute distinguishability in LLC names: 

  • L.L.C. vs. LLC 
  • Singular, plural, or possessive word forms 
  • Articles such as a, an, or the
  • Punctuation, such as periods, hyphens, commas, etc. 
  • Digits vs. numbers in written form, i.e. four vs. 4

Minnesota LLC Naming Rules and Restrictions

When conducting a Minnesota LLC name search, it’s important to understand the state’s naming guidelines. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, your chosen business name must:

  • Be distinct from any existing or reserved business names, including LLCs, corporations, and trademarks.
  • Include a legal designator such as “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”
  • Avoid misleading words that suggest the company is a government agency (e.g., “FBI,” “Treasury,” “State Department”).
  • Avoid restricted terms like “bank,” “trust,” “insurance,” or “university” unless the business has appropriate licenses or approvals.
  • Use letters from the English alphabet and numerals; special symbols are generally not allowed.

If your desired name is too similar to another, even small variations—like adding “the,” “a,” or punctuation—won’t make it distinguishable. Before you file, it’s best to perform multiple search variations to ensure true uniqueness.

Searching the Business Name Database

A basic business search may be done for any number of reasons, and business owners, affiliates, and even inquisitive consumers can conduct a search. When done correctly, a name search will yield a business's publicly available information. You can also obtain a Certificate of Good Standing for a business using this search. The fee to acquire the certificate is $15.

You can search the business database using a name or file number.

To search by name, visit the Business Entities Search page. In the Business Name box, enter the LLC name you're searching for. Maximize your results by choosing 100 in the Results per Page menu.

You can omit the following, as they're not needed: 

  • Designators at the end of the name 
  • Punctuation 
  • Capitalization 

To conduct the most thorough search, only enter the first one or two words of a business name. This way, you'll see all results that are potentially similar. For example, if you want to use the LLC name Strawberry Hill Jam LLC, simply enter strawberry hill. You can enter only part of the first word for even more results. For example, if your desired business name is Polishing Shoes LLC, just enter polish.

Click Search to see a list of existing businesses. Click the Details link next to any specific entity to go to the information page for it. You'll have access to all public information about the entity, including its filing history and Certificate of Good Standing.

If the LLC name you want shows up in the list in the exact way you want to use it, it's unavailable. You'll either have to come up with a brand new name or create a variation on the name that makes it unique. You also won't be able to use a name if the results show one or more that are deceptively similar. Again, you'll have to choose another name altogether or create a variation that makes it distinguishable.

As long as you get results that aren't too similar to the name you wish to use, yours is unique and available. The easiest way to see if your desired name is distinguishable is if you get the message “Sorry, no results,” showing that no results match your search criteria.

You can also search by file number by entering it in the search box and clicking Search. This is a much more specific way to search. As long as you entered the number correctly, you'll go straight to the information page for the entity matching that number. 

The secretary of state website provides a lot of invaluable information for residents, business owners, and aspiring business owners. You can conduct a business name search for specific reasons, and one of the most important is to ensure the LLC name you want to use is available. That's a key first step toward forming your own business.

Using the Minnesota Business Search Tool Effectively

The Minnesota Business Search tool is available through the Secretary of State’s website. It allows users to:

  1. Search by business name or file number to verify if a name is already in use.
  2. View entity details like registered office address, filing history, and name status (active, inactive, or dissolved).
  3. Check name availability for LLC formation, name reservation, or foreign entity registration.
  4. Order official documents, such as Certificates of Good Standing or copies of filed records.

To perform the most accurate Minnesota LLC name search:

  • Start by entering the first one or two words of your proposed name.
  • Exclude punctuation and designators (like “LLC”).
  • Review all similar names listed to ensure none are deceptively similar.

If your desired name isn’t listed, it’s likely available. However, the Secretary of State makes the final determination during filing.

Reserving Your Minnesota LLC Name

If you’re not yet ready to file but want to secure your desired LLC name, you can reserve it for up to 12 months.

  • Online filing fee: $55
  • Mail filing fee: $35

To reserve your name:

  1. Download and complete the Name Reservation form from the Secretary of State’s website.
  2. Submit it online or mail it to:
    Minnesota Secretary of State — Business Services
    60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55103

If you later decide to proceed, you can use that reserved name when filing your Articles of Organization. The reservation can be renewed by filing again before it expires.

Checking Trademarks and Domain Names

Before finalizing your business name, it’s wise to conduct both state and federal trademark searches:

  • Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database for potential conflicts.
  • Use the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Trademark Search to check existing state trademarks.

Additionally, confirm your domain name is available. Many businesses perform a domain search simultaneously to ensure brand consistency across their online presence. Securing a matching URL early can prevent branding issues later.

What to Do If Your Desired Name Is Taken

If your preferred LLC name is already in use or too similar to an existing one:

  • Try adding a distinctive word or phrase (e.g., “Consulting,” “Solutions,” “Group”).
  • Avoid minor changes like punctuation or capitalization.
  • Consider filing under a different name but using a DBA (Doing Business As) for branding purposes.

You can register a DBA (assumed name) in Minnesota by filing the Certificate of Assumed Name online or by mail. This allows you to operate your business under a name different from your LLC’s legal name.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I check if an LLC name is available in Minnesota?
    Use the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Business Search to search by business name. If no similar results appear, your name is likely available.
  2. What happens if my desired name is already taken?
    You’ll need to select a new name that’s clearly distinguishable or file a DBA under a different name for branding purposes.
  3. Can I reserve a Minnesota LLC name before filing?
    Yes. You can reserve a name for 12 months for $55 online or $35 by mail.
  4. Are there words I cannot use in a Minnesota LLC name?
    Yes. Words like “bank,” “trust,” “insurance,” or “university” are restricted unless your business is properly licensed to operate in those industries.
  5. Is a Minnesota LLC name search the same as a trademark search?
    No. A name search checks business name availability with the state, while a trademark search checks legal protection under state or federal trademark laws.

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