Wyoming Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide
Ensuring Your Wyoming LLC Name Is Available
A unique business name is key for branding, but it can be difficult to navigate the various rules for business names in Wyoming.
This page will guide you on how to check the availability of your LLC name and ensure it can be used.
Wyoming LLC Name Verification
When you submit your paperwork to establish an LLC in Wyoming, your filing could be rejected if the name you choose is already in use or does not adhere to state naming regulations.
How to Search the Wyoming Business Entity Name Database
You can utilize the business entity search to compare your business name with the currently registered entities in Wyoming.
✎ Note:
This tool is often referred to as either the Wyoming Business Name Search or the Wyoming Business Entity Search. Both terms describe the same website and provide the same search results.
Visit the Wyoming Business Entity Search page
Wyoming Secretary of State: Business Filings Search
- Enter your desired LLC name in the "Filing Name" field.
- Select "Contains" as the search type.
- Click "Search".
Why use "Contains"? If you choose "Starts With," you might miss similar names with filler words. For instance, searching "GumGum Guy" with "Starts With" could overlook "The GumGum Guy Inc." Since that name already exists, you can't use "GumGum Guy LLC".
Search Tips:
- Exclude terms like "LLC", "L.L.C.", "Limited Liability Company", and punctuation marks (commas, periods, apostrophes) from your search.
- You can use either uppercase or lowercase letters in your search.
★ Tip:
To ensure thoroughness, start with a search for the main part of your desired name. For instance, if you want "Sunset Ventures LLC", first search for "Sunset Ventures" and then "Sunset" to cover all possible variations.
How to Understand Wyoming LLC Search Results
If your search results show names that do not match yours exactly, your LLC name is likely available.
For example, if "Sunset Ventures LLC" yields results like "Sunset Management" and "Sunset LLC", your name Wyomingbe available.
What If My Desired Name Is Not Available?
If the name you want is already in use, you will need to choose an alternative name or modify your desired name.
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Wyoming Secretary of State Contact Information
You can contact the Wyoming Secretary of State to check if your LLC name is available.
While this service might not be available in every state, Wyoming representatives can guide you through the process of using the Wyoming Business Name Search to see if your name is free. They can not guarantee that your name will be approved, but they can provide useful information.
Call the LLC Department at 860-509-6002, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am to 4 pm Pacific Time.
Wyoming LLC Name Requirements
As per Section 17-28-108 of the Wyoming LLC Act, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming a Wyoming business entity.
Comma Usage
You are not required to use a comma in your LLC name. Both formats are acceptable:
- Grandpa Joe's LLC
- Grandpa Joe's, LLC
Permissible Designators
Your LLC name must end with one of the following designators:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Company
- LC
- L.C.
- Limited Company
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Limited Liability Co.
✎ Note:
The term "LLC" is the most commonly used.
Restricted Designators
Your LLC name cannot include terms that imply it is another type of business entity, such as:
- Inc.
- Corp.
- Trust
- Incorporated
- Corporation
Restricted Words in Wyoming LLC Names
Your Wyoming LLC name cannot include words or abbreviations that are legally restricted.
For instance, you cannot name your LLC in a way that suggests it is a bank, a government agency, or any other entity that might mislead the public.
If you want to include any of the following words in your Wyoming LLC name, you must obtain approval from the Division of Banking:
- Bank
- Banker
- Banc
- Banque
- Banquers
- Banco
- Banca
- Trust
Additionally, if you want to use any of the following words in your LLC name, you must get approval from the Department of Education:
- College
- Educate
- Education
- Educational
- Institute
- Institution
- University
Additionally, you cannot use terms reserved for licensed professionals. These terms can differ by state but often include accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists, and engineers.
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Ensuring Your Wyoming Business Name Is Distinguishable
To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the Wyoming Secretary of State Business Filing Search.
If your name is not unique, you will need to come up with a different or modified name.
Rules for Distinguishability
Designators
Merely changing the designator (the suffix of the name) does not make a name unique. For example, if "Indian Paintbrush LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the Wyoming Business Name Search:
- Indian Paintbrush, Inc.
- Indian Paintbrush, Corp.
- Indian Paintbrush, Limited Liability Co.
Filler Words
Adding filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and"m or "&" does not make a name distinguishable. For instance, "Bison Farms LLC" will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- The Bison Farms LLC
- A Bison Farm Inc.
- Bison and Farms L.L.C.
- Bison & Farms Corp
✎ Note:
If you include filler words in your LLC name, it's recommended to file your Wyoming LLC by mail instead of online.
Plural or Singular Words and Possessive Words
Changing a word to its plural or possessive form does not make a name unique.
If your desired LLC name is "Red Canyons Outfitters LLC", it will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- Red Canyons Outfitters LLC
- Red Canyon Outfitter Inc.
- Red Canyons Outfitter, L.L.C.
Punctuation, Symbols, Spaces
Adding or removing punctuation, symbols, or spaces doesn't make your LLC name distinguishable.
If your desired LLC name is "Sagebrush Trading Post LLC", it's not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Sage-Brush-Trading-Post Inc.
- Sagebrush/TradingPost, Limited Liability Co.
- Sage Brush Trading Post, L.L.C.
- Sage Brush "Trading" Post Corp.
- (Sage) Brush Trading Post LLC
✎ Note:
If you include special characters (such as $, %, etc.) in your LLC name, we recommend filing your Wyoming LLC by mail instead of online.
What If My Business Name Is Rejected?
If you submit your Wyoming Articles of Organization and your chosen business name is not available, do not worry.
The state will inform you of the rejection and provide reasons. You will then need to resubmit with a new or adjusted name.
Do I need a name reservation in Wyoming?
No, a name reservation isn't required to form an LLC in Wyoming. It’s an unnecessary step and a waste of money.
You can simply file your LLC's Articles of Organization with your desired LLC name.
Does Wyoming require an LLC in the name?
Yes. Your Wyoming LLC name must contain one of the allowable designators at the end. The most commonly used designators are:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
Does my Wyoming LLC need a DBA?
No, you're not required to file a DBA ("Doing Business As") for your business entity in Wyoming.
A DBA (known as a Trade Name in Wyoming) lets your LLC conduct business under a name different from its true and legal name (the name on your Articles of Organization).
If you want your LLC to do business under a name that’s different from its true and legal name, you have to file an Application for Registration of Trade Name and pay an additional fee of $100 to the Secretary of State. The first page of the Application form has more information on this process.
If you are going to file a Trade Name for your Wyoming LLC, it must also be distinguishable from existing business names in the state.
There is no limit to the number of Trade Names an LLC can have.
When would my LLC use a DBA?
Let’s say you form an LLC called Skytree Cruise Lines LLC, but you also want to use a friendlier, catchy name, like Sky Cruises. In this case, your LLC would need to file an Application for Registration of Trade Name to use the name Sky Cruises.
If you don’t file a Trade Name Registration for a different name, you can only use your legal entity name of Skytree Cruise Lines LLC.
Similarly, if you want to do business under the name Skytree Cruise Lines, just without the letters "LLC" in the name, you will need to file a Trade Name for Skytree Cruise Lines.
How do I get a business domain name?
Once you’ve found a business name that you like, it's a good idea to check if your domain name is available before forming your LLC.
You can search for available domain names with GoDaddy:
What does "distinguishability" mean?
Distinguishability means that each business entity name must be unique on the Secretary of State's records. No two businesses can operate under the same name. For example, if you want to name your LLC Meadowlark Landscapers LLC, but there's already a business named Meadowlark Landscapers, Inc., your desired LLC name isn’t distinguishable. You must choose a different name.
How do I come up with a business name?
Choosing a business name is crucial for branding. Begin by listing the features and attributes of your company. Generate a list of potential names without evaluating them initially. Review and refine the list, seeking feedback from others. The ideal name often stands out naturally. If you’re uncertain, a decision-making trick is to close your eyes, count to 10, and choose the name that feels right when you open your eyes.
Can I use the name of another Wyoming entity?
No. You can't use the same name as another Wyoming business.
And it doesn't matter what entity type it is – your LLC can't have the same entity name as another corporation, LLC, or any other entity type.
If the business is closed, you still can’t use the name of an “Active” business.
However, if the business entity is marked "Inactive" on the Business Entity Search site, you might be able to use that name.
If the existing company is marked as "Inactive – Archived", then you can use the name.
If the existing company is marked as "Inactive – Administratively Dissolved" or "Inactive – Revoked", you can use the name only if it’s been 2 years or more since the Inactive Date. Click on the company’s record in the Business Filings Search to find the “Inactive Date”.
Note: Make sure you look at the "Status" field next to the company's name. The "Standing – Tax" and "Standing – RA" fields don’t affect whether a name is available.
How do I change my LLC name?
You can change your LLC's name later by filing an Amendment form with the Secretary of State.
We have step-by-step instructions on how to change an LLC name in Wyoming.
How to start an LLC in Wyoming?
To start an LLC in Wyoming, follow these steps:
- Choose an LLC name and make sure it's available
- Choose who will be your Wyoming Registered Agent
- File the Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Wyoming