Our work is reader-supported, meaning that we may earn a commission from the products and services mentioned.

How To Do An Idaho Business Name Search

How To Do An Idaho Business Name Search

Affiliate Disclosure

Affiliate
Disclosure

How To Do An Idaho Business Name Search

How To Do An Idaho Business Name Search

If you are forming an LLC or a corporation in Idaho, the first thing you need to do is a business name search.  This search checks all the registered business entities in the state to see if the business name you want to use is available.  Like most other states, Idaho requires each LLC or corporation registered in the state to have a unique business name.  So, before starting your business, it’s important to run a business entity search to verify if the name is available through the Idaho Secretary of State before registering your LLC or Corporation. 

There is no fee to search.

Also See: Guide to Starting a Business in Idaho

Steps For Searching Corporation and LLC Names In Idaho

Step 1: Visit the Idaho Entity Name Database

Go to the Idaho Secretary of State website.

 

Step 2: Search your Business Name

Enter the name you would like to use in the “Business Search ” field.  In this example, we will look up “Lawn & Order” to see if it is available to register.

How to do an Idaho Business Name Search

 

 

Step 3: Review Results

Searching the registered names, we get a list of all the businesses with the words “Lawn & Order.”  In order to register a business name with the Secretary of State, the name has to be unique from other corporation or LLC names. Assumed names do not have the same requirement.

To find more information about each of the registered business names, click on the business name.  In this example, we will look up “Lawn & Order LLC.”

 

Clicking on the link for “Lawn & Order LLC” brings a detailed report. In addition to the information below, you can also click on the “View History” button and see an image of the original Certificate of Organization.

Idaho LLC Name Search

 

To see an example, search for a name that isn’t being used, such as “Cowboy Cleaners.” This search brings no results. While final approval is still with the Secretary of State, it is likely available to register. 

Business Entity Search - No Results

These are the basics of searching for a business name in Idaho.  Even when the name of the business you want is available, the Secretary of State will make a final determination at the time of filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names. 

What information can be found on the Idaho business entity database?

The database search can find several pieces of information about the business. Some of the highlights include:

  • Filing Type – Corporation, Limited Liability Company. Etc.
  • Status – Active-Existing means the business is in good standing with the Secretary of State, and all reports and filing fees are up to date
  • Term of Duration – The business entity intends to operate indefinitely
  • Principal Address – This can be either the physical address of the business or an address where business records are stored
  • Registered Agent’s information – A Registered Agent is the singular point of contact for the entity should a legal, or tax notice need to be sent to the business.  This is often one of the owners, and if their home address is used, that address becomes public information.  Many people find this concerning and use a Registered Agent service like Northwest Registered Agent, so their home address isn’t publically listed.  
  • Initial Filing Date – Date the entity was filed with the Secretary of State

Something to keep in mind is that even though each Corporation and LLC name must be unique, it may not stop someone else from using that name since business names for a sole proprietorship or partnership are not registered by the Secretary of State and are not required to be unique.  To protect your business name, consider getting a trademark.

Related: Should I trademark my business name?

How do I Register an Assumed Business Name (Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships)

Just like the corporation and LLC, a sole proprietorship or partnership operating their business under a name that is different from the owner’s legal name will register for an Assumed Business Name, which is also known as “Doing Business As,” DBA, Assumed Name or Trade Name. Registration is done through the Secretary of State’s website. 

Related: How to register an Assumed Business Name in Idaho

How do I form an Idaho LLC?

Before starting your business and forming an LLC, be sure to do the business entity search first to make sure the name is available to use.  Once you know the LLC name is available, learn how to form an Idaho LLC by reading our step-by-step guide.

While not required in Idaho, an Operating Agreement, which are the rules for how the LLC operates, is a document worth considering, especially for multi-member LLCs.

After forming a Limited Liability Company, be sure to register for Idaho business licenses and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) so the business is legal to operate.

What are the requirements to name an LLC in Idaho?

In addition to the name being unique, the name of the LLC must include a special designator such as Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., etc., in addition to not using restricted words such as bank or insurance, unless the entity is licensed to operate as such.

Can an LLC name be reserved?

If there is a name you want to use but are not ready to form the LLC, the name can be reserved.  A name can be reserved for up to four months by filing the Reservation of Legal Entity Name can be filed with the Secretary of State.

How To Do An Idaho Business Name Search

How To Do An Idaho Business Name Search

Greg Bouhl

Greg Bouhl

Welcome! My name is Greg Bouhl, and I am a serial entrepreneur, educator, business advisor, and investor.

StartingYourBusiness.com is here because of the many clients I worked with who made decisions based on inaccurate and outdated information.

Starting a business is hard, but here you will find the practical tools, resources, and insider tips to help you successfully start a business.

If there is a question about starting a business or help finding a resource, I'm here to help!

Follow on LinkedIn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Many (but not all) of the links on StartingYourBusiness.com are affiliate links. This means that a special tracking code is used and that we may make a small commission on the sale of an item if you purchase through one of these links. The price of the item is the same for you whether it is an affiliate link or not, and using affiliate links helps us to maintain this website.

StartingYourBusiness.com is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Our mission is to help businesses start and promoting inferior products and services doesn’t serve that mission. We keep the opinions fair and balanced and not let the commissions influence our opinions.