Finding the right name for a startup business can be very exciting, but it can be challenging. You want to find something that will catch the attention of potential customers and get them interested, but you also want to choose something that suits your industry and represents your fledgling business in an accurate way.
Once you’ve found the exact business name you want to use the next step is to make sure it’s actually available in Kansas. That means you’ll need to conduct a business entity search to see if someone else is using it. While you’re doing that you also need to ensure that the name you want to use complies with the state’s regulations.
You can focus on creating the name and we’ll tell you what to do after that. Here’s what you need to know.
Performing a business entity search is vital to make sure you can use the name you want. This search shows you what companies or organizations are registered as legal entities in a particular state. This is something you should know before you start your LLC in Kansas, or at least be aware of in case you can and want to do something about it in advance.
For example, if the name is not available you will need to find another one before filing and not delay the process. If the name is available but you’re not ready to file your articles of organization, you can register it and prevent someone else from getting it before you file your LLC formation papers.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the state has its LLC naming guidelines which your name should meet to be approved. We will quickly review them first, and then break down the Kansas entity search process:
Any name that you select for your LLC has to comply with guidelines for the state of Kansas. Otherwise your application for a name could be refused and that will delay you getting your business up and running.
Because the website for a government entity can sometimes be hard to navigate it’s important that you know what you should look for and the best way to find the information you need as efficiently as possible.
The State of Kansas has a database of business entities and you can use it to find out whether a company registered in the state already has the name you want to use. The database has a search page that gives you the opportunity to search in multiple ways.
As you can see here, you can search by business name, Kansas Secretary of State Business ID, or resident agent name. You can also choose whether to search by a word or phrase at the start of the name or just a word or phrase contained in that name.
Even if you didn’t find anything in the business entity database, you should still perform a full search to make sure the name is available. When you do that, you’ll type in the name you want to use and press the search button.
Under the Cancel and Search buttons you’ll see the name you typed in and then either “Name is Available” or “Name is Unavailable.” Unavailable names will also show the name of the business as it is officially registered, along with its Entity ID.
If you get this result for the name you want to use you’ll have to choose something else. While this can be frustrating and take some time, you need to be sure you have a name you can register for your business.
Once you have a name that’s available, you’ll want to register it so you can get your LLC operating. There are a couple of ways to do that. The state offers forms on its website that you can fill out, or you can get some help to complete your Kansas LLC registration and any other LLC filings you need.
You may also want to consider trademarking your business name, so you know its yours and it will be protected if someone else tries to use it. Along with trademarking the name, consider registering a domain with that name for your website. It’s a great idea to have everything match, and that’s easier when you do it all at once.
It's important to perform a business entity search to make sure you're not trying to use a name that another business already uses. You won't be allowed to use a name that's too similar, and you don't want to start developing a brand with a name you won't be able to use.
In Kansas you can perform a business entity search, but that's only partially effective. You'll also want to perform a full name availability search to make sure you aren't overlooking anything. This search will tell you whether the name you want to use is available as an option.
The cost of forming a Kansas LLC matters, especially when you're starting up a new business. It's $30 to reserve your LLC name if you do it online, or you can pay $35 and do it by mail. Having the option to start your LLC for $0 plus state fees means you can get everything moving forward as easily as possible.
You don't need to file for DBAs in Kansas, but it's still a good idea to make sure you're transparent about any name you use for a business there. You don't want to confuse your customers or any legal entities when it comes to what name your business uses and how any DBAs relate to your parent company.
The naming guidelines for a Kansas LLC specify that you need a name that's not too close to anything that's already in use. You also can't choose something that's completely unrelated to what you do, and you need to have LLC or some form of that term in the name, as well.
If the name you want is taken, you'll have to choose another one. Fortunately, there are a lot of names to pick from, so you should be able to find something that works for your new business.
The good news is that it’s not hard to register a business name in Kansas, or get your LLC operating. However, it’s very important to make sure you follow the right guidelines and focus on getting a good start. You don’t want to take a chance on legal problems, and the best way to avoid that is to move with care through every step of the process.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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