Starting an LLC in New Jersey is easy, but you must take certain steps in a specific order.
Your first step is choosing a memorable business name that suits your niche and engages your target audience.
Next, check your desired LLC name is available using the New Jersey business entity search website.
Finally, you must ensure your desired name complies with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ naming rules; otherwise, they may reject it!
If you file your LLC using a business name already registered by another New Jersey entity, the state may reject it.
Searching the New Jersey business entity search website ensures your desired name is available, avoiding unnecessary costs and wasted time.
Like using an already registered name, the New Jersey Secretary of State may only accept your name application if you meet its naming rules.
New Jersey naming guidelines for LLCs include:
Those are the guidelines. Next, we’ll look at tips for using the New Jersey business search tool.
Using the New Jersey business entity search website is simple enough. Still, you must do some things to ensure a reliable name search result.
Use the following guidelines when conducting your New Jersey business entity search:
Okay, those are the naming guidelines and tips; now it’s time to see if your LLC name is available.
To begin your LLC business search, visit the New Jersey Secretary of State Business Name Search page.
New Jersey provides two business entity search tools to check potential business names:
Business Name Search
Business Name Availability Search
The search page allows you to search registered entities using the following 3 search types:
To begin your business search, refer to the New Jersey Secretary of State Business Name Search page.
Select the “search by business name,” enter your desired name and press search.
The page will display any registered entity names that are like or match your search term.
You can use the “%” (called a wildcard) symbol to substitute any unknown characters.
For example, I’ve entered SB General Construction as my desired name.
Suppose the New Jersey Business Name Search results page displays an exact match for your inserted business name. In that case, it is taken, and you need to consider an alternative.
By clicking on a matching result, the name search tool will display the following information:
You can search for a business name using the “business name availability” tab to see available New Jersey business names.
Enter your preferred business name, click search, and the results page will show if the name is available. If available, you can reserve it or begin your LLC formation by filing your LLC Articles of Organization with the New Jersey Department of Treasury’s Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
You can search for a business name using the New Jersey business entity keyword search option.
Enter keywords relevant to your new business, like seafood, landscaping, or personal trainer, and the tool will display any registered New Jersey business names using that keyword.
Business owners can use a fictitious name (Doing Business As) instead of their LLC registered name by filing an alternative name with the New Jersey Treasury Department.
To use a DBA, first conduct a business name search on the New Jersey Secretary of State Business Name Search page to ensure the DBA is available.
LLCs file an alternate name (DBAs) with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services by filling out Form C-150G and paying the $50 filing fee.
For further information on LLC name availability, you can call the New Jersey Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services; however, they can’t guarantee your name will be available when you file.
Opening times: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am—4:30 pm Eastern Time.
Now you know your name is available; you can do 3 things to ensure no other business uses it online or in the USA.
New Jersey provides a name reservation option for entrepreneurs needing more time to form their LLCs.
To reserve a business name, complete and file the reservation form with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
New Jersey name reservation costs $50 and lasts for 120 days. However, you can save that $50 and reduce your LLC startup costs by forming your New Jersey LLC.
Before you reserve or form your New Jersey LLC, run a trademark search on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office search tool to ensure another business didn’t already mark it to avoid trademark infringement.
If your name is available as a trademark, consider registering it to stop other businesses in the USA from using it.
You can also run a trademark search on the New Jersey Division of Revenue website, as it contains all trademarked business names with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The last step in securing your business name is conducting an internet search to see if it’s available as a domain name.
You can confirm your name’s availability as a domain by searching online using a site like GoDaddy.
If your business name isn’t available as a domain, tips and tricks exist for creating one that represents your business name, niche, and target audience.
Also, search social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to see if your name is already in use.
I hope you found our guide on how to do a business entity search in New Jersey helpful.
Remember to follow the guidelines to ensure your name isn`t the same or overly similar to an existing registered name; otherwise, the state may reject it.
You do a business entity search in New Jersey to confirm the LLC name you want to use isn't already registered by another entity.
To confirm your name is available, visit the New Jersey business entity search page, select business name search, enter your desired name, and press search.
It costs $50 to reserve a business name in New Jersey for 120 days.
LLC owners using a DBA must file an alternate name application with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
New Jersey naming guidelines for LLCs include:
Unique: Your New Jersey LLC name must be unlike and not too similar to any on the state entity list.
Mandatory designators: Your LLC must contain an approved designator, such as Limited Liability Company, Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C.
Forbidden terminologies: Your New Jersey LLC name cannot use another entity's designator, including Incorporated, Corporation, Inc., Corp., Limited Partnership, L.P.
Restricted terms: You cannot use words that require a professional license, such as attorney, accountant, architect, dentist, and engineer.
Prohibited wording: Your LLC name can not contain wording prohibited by the New Jersey state department, including Blind, Cemetery, Con-con, Dba, E-com, Express Mail, Handicapped, Usps, Little League, Mail, Olympic (and related words), Realtor, Urban Renewal, Zip Code.
Government affiliation: Your name must not imply affiliation with a government agency (e.g., FBI, CIA, DEA, Treasury, Commission).
Prior approval: You must gain approval from the departments to use words that might suggest you are an insurance, medical, or financial institution.
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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