Key Takeaways

  • A Nevada business entity search is used to check LLC name availability or retrieve details about existing entities through the Nevada Secretary of State’s online database.
  • Multiple search options are available, including by business name, entity number, business ID, officer name, registered agent, or associated business name.
  • Nevada naming laws require a distinguishable LLC name and restrict certain words, per Nevada Revised Statutes § 86.171.
  • The Secretary of State’s database provides public information such as entity status, formation date, registered agent details, and filing history.
  • Search results can help identify whether a name is already in use, if a business is in good standing, or if an entity has been revoked, merged, or dissolved.

A state of Nevada LLC search can be done to check the availability of a business name you'd like to use or to obtain information about an existing business. In most cases, you can get the information you need by checking the Secretary of State's online database.

LLC Name Availability

When you're in the process of starting a limited liability company, or LLC, in Nevada, you'll want to conduct a name availability search. You can follow these steps for naming your business.

  1. Select an appropriate name by adhering to state naming guidelines.
  2. Conduct a name search by using the name availability tool, which will let you know if your desired LLC name is available to use in the state.
  3. Check for an available URL, even if you don't have plans to create a website right away. Securing the domain name will prevent someone else from buying it.

To see if a name is available, visit the Nevada Business Search page at the Secretary of State website. Enter your desired LLC name into the search field and click “Search.”

If no matching names come up in your search, the name is most likely available for you to use.

Nevada LLC Naming Rules and Restrictions

Under Nevada Revised Statutes § 86.171, every limited liability company must have a name that is distinguishable from the names of existing entities registered with the Secretary of State. Certain limitations apply:

  • Distinctiveness Requirement: Your proposed name cannot be so similar to another registered business name that it could mislead or confuse the public.
  • Restricted Words: Some terms, such as “bank,” “trust,” or “insurance,” require special approval from the relevant state regulatory authority before they can be included in your business name.
  • Prohibited Uses: Names implying an association with government agencies or that violate state public policy cannot be registered.
  • Unavailable Names from Terminated Entities: Names of companies that have been revoked, merged, or otherwise terminated may remain unavailable for a period of time, as defined by state regulation, before they can be reissued.

Following these rules ensures compliance with state law and increases the likelihood of name approval when you file your Articles of Organization.

Business Entity Search

You might conduct a business entity search to find out the following about an existing business:

There are several ways to conduct an entity search, depending on the search criteria you have. These include the following:

  • Business name
  • Business entity number
  • Business ID
  • Officer name
  • Registered agent name
  • Associated business name

Begin your search at the Business Search page. Follow the steps based on the search criteria you're using.

Information Available from a Nevada Business Entity Search

When you conduct a Nevada business entity search, you can access a range of publicly available information, including:

  • Entity Status: Active, revoked, dissolved, merged, or withdrawn.
  • Formation Details: Original filing date, jurisdiction of formation, and entity type (e.g., LLC, corporation, partnership).
  • Registered Agent Information: Name, street address, and mailing address of the registered agent.
  • Business Address: The principal office address and, if applicable, mailing address.
  • Officers and Directors: Names of members, managers, or corporate officers, depending on the entity type.
  • Filing History: Annual reports, amendments, mergers, name changes, or other filed documents.
  • NV Business ID: A unique identification number for the entity, useful for future filings or records requests.

This data can help you verify a company’s legal standing, confirm compliance with annual filing requirements, and assess whether a name is available for your new business.

By Name

  1. Enter the name you're looking for in the search box, and click “Search.”
  2. Review the matching list of names.
  3. Scroll through until you find the one you're searching for.
  4. Click the name.
  5. Review the publicly available business information on the last page.

By Entity Number

  1. Use the drop-down menu, and choose the type of search you're doing, i.e., “Entity Number.”
  2. Enter the entity number into the field, and click “Search.”
  3. Review the information on the next page. Because each entity has its own number, you should only have results for one business.
  4. Click the name to continue.
  5. Review the publicly available information, including the business's registered agent's name and address.

By Business ID

  1. Select “NV Business ID” from the drop-down menu.
  2. Enter an ID into the search field, and click “Search.”
  3. Review the results, which should only match the ID you provided.
  4. Click the name to continue.
  5. Review the information.

By Officer Name

  1. Select “Officer Name” in the drop-down menu.
  2. Enter an officer's first and last name in the search field, and click “Search.”.
  3. Review the list of names on the next page, and scroll through until you find the one you're searching for.
  4. Click the business name to continue.
  5. Review the information.

By Registered Agent

  1. Select “Registered Agent Name” in the drop-down menu.
  2. Enter the agent's name in the search field, and click “Search.”.
  3. Check the list of names on the next page, and scroll through until you find the name you're searching for.
  4. Click the name to continue.
  5. Review the information on the registered agent.

By Associated Business Name

  1. Select “Associated Business Name” in the drop-down menu.
  2. Enter the business name into the search field, and click “Search.”
  3. Review the list of names until you find the entity name you're looking for.
  4. Click the name to proceed.
  5. Review the list of associated business names.

Before submitting paperwork and paying registration fees for an LLC, you must first make sure the business name you wish to use is available in the state. This is a simple and quick search. Make sure you adhere to all other naming guidelines so your name isn't too similar to existing names. You want a business name that's unique and distinguishable from other LLCs.

If you wish to do a name search to find out public information about existing entities, it's simple to do this using the resources at the Secretary of State website.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I perform a Nevada business entity search?
    Visit the Nevada Secretary of State’s Business Search page, select your preferred search criteria (e.g., name, entity number), and review the results for the relevant entity.
  2. What is an NV Business ID?
    It’s a unique identification number assigned to each registered business in Nevada, used for filings, renewals, and official correspondence.
  3. Can I use a name from a dissolved Nevada company?
    Possibly, but Nevada law restricts reuse of certain names from dissolved, revoked, or merged entities for a set period.
  4. What details can I find in the Nevada business search database?
    You can see an entity’s status, formation date, registered agent details, business address, officers, and filing history.
  5. Do I need to reserve my LLC name before filing?
    Reserving a name is optional, but it can secure the name for a limited period while you prepare your formation documents.

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