Key Takeaways

  • The New Mexico Secretary of State LLC Search helps verify if a business name is available and provides public information about registered entities.
  • You can search by entity name, business ID, or registered agent using the official SOS Business Search tool.
  • Ensure your chosen LLC name follows state naming rules, including required designators and restrictions on misleading terms.
  • Search results display essential data such as status, formation date, registered agent, and principal office address.
  • Conduct additional searches for domain name availability and state and federal trademarks to protect your brand.
  • You can contact the New Mexico Secretary of State Business Services Division for assistance with filings or search inquiries.

New Mexico LLC Name Search

New Mexico Secretary of State LLC search is an online tool that allows you to search for existing business entities and determine whether the name you want for your LLC is available. When creating a limited liability company (LLC) in New Mexico, you must follow the state's business naming guidelines. If the name you want is available, you may also want to see if the domain name is available and purchase it to keep another business from doing so. You can also create an email address.

Searching for a New Mexico Business Entity

The New Mexico Secretary of State maintains a corporation registry with the details, status, and filings of every business entity in the state. This includes LLCs, limited companies, corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. The online search tool allows you to search the database by registered agent, director, business name, or business ID. Your search will return information about whether the business exists as a legal entity in the state and whether is in good standing, its address, and the name and address of the registered agent.

After you navigate to the online tool, enter your desired LLC name in the search bar and click the search button. The tool will return a list of similar names that you can click on to learn more about that entity. This page will contain all public information about the business entity, including contact information. If no businesses with a similar name exists, your LLC name is available.

How to Use the New Mexico Secretary of State Business Search

To perform a New Mexico LLC search, visit the official New Mexico Business Search tool managed by the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division. You can search by:

  • Business Name: Enter your proposed LLC name or part of it.
  • Business ID Number: Use the unique identifier assigned to registered entities.
  • Registered Agent Name: Search for businesses associated with a particular agent.

When searching, omit punctuation and business designators (like “LLC” or “L.L.C.”) to get broader results. Once you submit your query, the results will display all matching entities along with key details such as:

  • Legal business name
  • Current status (active, dissolved, revoked)
  • Formation date
  • Registered agent name and address
  • Principal office address

If your desired LLC name does not appear in the results, it is likely available for registration. However, availability isn’t guaranteed until your formation filing is accepted by the state.

New Mexico LLC Name Requirements

  • Your business name must end with LLC or L.L.C.
  • An LLC name cannot use the words Incorporated, Corporation, Corp., or Inc.
  • The LLC name must not be the same as or similar to the name of another New Mexico business entity. This means the name is not distinguishable enough if the only differences are in the business designators, singular vs. plural of the same word, articles such as the or and, punctuation, or numerals vs. written word.

Additional Business Name Considerations

After completing your New Mexico LLC search, it’s wise to perform a few additional checks before finalizing your name:

  • Domain Name Availability: Verify that your desired web address is available using registrars like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
  • Trademark Search: Check both the New Mexico State Trademark Database and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to ensure your business name or logo isn’t already protected.
  • Distinctiveness: Choose a name that stands out to avoid confusion and potential legal disputes. Avoid names that are only different by punctuation, pluralization, or abbreviations.

Tips for Searching

When entering your desired name, leave out the designator and punctuation. Choose the Starts With menu item and enter just the first few words of your LLC name. This will allow you to locate even businesses with similar names. If your search doesn't return any results, the LLC name you want is available. If another LLC in the state has a similar name, you'll have to head back to the drawing board.

You can also file your paperwork with the state and they will let you know if your desired name is available. Until you learn that your LLC name is approved, do not purchase a domain name or marketing materials. You should not apply for business permits or a federal employer information number (EIN) until you know if the name is available.

How to Interpret Search Results

When reviewing your New Mexico LLC search results, pay attention to these details:

  • Entity Status: Shows whether the business is in good standing, dissolved, or inactive.
  • Business ID Number: Useful for official filings or follow-up inquiries.
  • Registered Agent: Lists who is authorized to receive legal notices for the entity.
  • Principal Address: Identifies where the business’s main office is located.
  • Formation Date: Indicates when the business was officially established.

If your search yields similar names, you may need to adjust your proposed name to ensure it is distinguishable. Minor variations like adding “The,” “and,” or changing punctuation usually won’t make a name unique.

LLP Statement of Qualification 

A new limited liability partnership (LLP) in New Mexico must file a statement of qualification that contains the entity's name, the address of its CEO, the address of a state office or the contact information for a registered agent who is approved to do business in or lives in the state; the statement of LLP election, and the effective date if not meant to be immediate.

The LLP must pay a fee of $50 to file any document, including an annual report or statement of qualification. This entity must file an annual report every year between January 1 and April 1. The LLP must hold liability insurance of $500,000 per instance of negligence, misconduct, or malpractice and $1 million total at minimum. The name of an LLC must end with RLLP, R.L.L.P., limited liability partnership, or registered limited liability partnership. The statement of qualification must be mailed to the Operations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, 325 Don Gaspar Suite 300, Santa Fe NM 87503.

Secretary of State of New Mexico

This constitutional office is currently held by Dianna Duran. This office is responsible for numerous tasks, including guarding the state's seal, public records, and archives. The Secretary of State also attests government documents and issues licenses to drive. 

Contact Information for the New Mexico Secretary of State

If you encounter issues using the New Mexico LLC search or need help with filings, contact the Business Services Division:

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST. The staff can assist with questions related to name availability, annual reports, or entity status checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the New Mexico LLC search used for?
    It helps you verify if your desired LLC name is available and find details about existing registered entities.
  2. Is the New Mexico business search free?
    Yes. The Secretary of State’s online search tool is free to use.
  3. Can I reserve a name before filing my LLC?
    Yes. You can reserve a name with the Secretary of State for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation form and paying a small fee.
  4. What happens if my LLC name is already taken?
    You’ll need to choose a new name that’s distinguishable from existing entities in the state’s database.
  5. How can I verify my business is in good standing?
    Use the SOS business search to check your entity’s status or obtain a Certificate of Good Standing directly from the Secretary of State.

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