Selecting the right business name for your New Mexico business can be exciting yet also a challenge.
You need to choose one that will accurately depict what your business will be doing while also keeping your target audience in mind.
Once you decide on that business name, it’s time to start turning your plan into reality and this requires that you confirm the name is legally available in New Mexico and complies with all state regulations.
In other words, you’ll need to conduct a business entity search, and we will tell you how below.
When you conduct a business entity search, essentially you are searching for specific information about an organization or company.
While there are various reasons to run these business entity searches, the most important for you as a new startup is to determine if the business name you have in mind for your New Mexico LLC is available in the state.
The business name you select for your New Mexico LLC has to comply with guidelines provided by the state. If not, the State Department of New Mexico can and will refuse your submitted application.
Your LLC’s name has to meet the following guidelines:
Business search websites can appear intimidating at first but can be mastered quickly. Here are some tips to get you started on the New Mexico business entity name search portal.
Below is a step-by-step guide for searching on the New Mexico business name portal.
Here you will enter the business name you have chosen for your LLC then check the box for the bot check. Click on the “Search” button.
If your selected business name appears on any of these tables or one sparks your interest, select it. This will take you to that entity’s details page so you can conduct a thorough review, including learning if it is active.
When the business name you want is already registered in New Mexico, you will need to go back to the drawing board and select a different name to search for on the database.
Most business entity searches will include any legally registered business names as well as any DBAs.
A DBA (Doing Business As) is a fictitious name that you can use in place of your legally registered LLC name.
In New Mexico, however, there is not an established way for you to register a DBA specifically. While you may still use one, you will want to seek legal advice concerning ways to stay protected.
Once you determine that your selected business name is available in New Mexico, you can take steps to register it.
However, if your circumstances require more time to form your LLC but you don’t want to risk losing a specific business name, you can reserve it. You can also consider trademarking and domain registration as well.
In New Mexico, you can reserve a business name for the maximum of 120 days by submitting an Application to reserve a Domestic Limited Liability Company Name. The filing fee is $20 and must be made by money order or check, payable to the New Mexico Secretary of State.
To protect your business name even further, consider trademarking it. Taking this step will prevent others from using your selected business name. You will need to confirm it is available to be trademarked by searching on the database search tool of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Once availability is confirmed, you’ll want to first reserve the name or register it in New Mexico. To accomplish this, you must do so online through the Secretary of State’s web portal. Once this is done, you can apply for a trademark through the USPTO.
A domain name is the online digital address for your brand. It is best that your LLC name and your domain name be the same.
As such, you will need to conduct some research to determine if that name is available as a domain. Two crucial steps to take include:
Now it is your turn to get started. Navigate to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Business Search portal to make sure the name you want to use for your LLC is available.
If you find it is available, in addition to registering it, consider seeking trademark protection and obtaining the domain.
If the name is not available, however, go back and consider what other name might be a fit for your startup.
Avoid rushing when it comes to naming your new business. You want it to be the right one.
Performing a business entity search is imperative to ensure the business name you want to use is available and not already registered by someone else in the state of New Mexico.
To confirm your selected LLC name is available, check the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Business Search portal.
It will cost $20 to file an Application for reserving a Domestic Limited Liability Company Name in the state of New Mexico.
The state of New Mexico does not allow for the registering of DBAs.
LLC naming guidelines in New Mexico include:
Must be distinguishable: The name you select must not already be in use by a formed entity under the laws of New Mexico or a foreign business entity authorized to do business here. It also cannot be a reserved name. To determine if it is unique, you will need to conduct a business entity search on the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Business Search portal.
Must not cause confusion with another business entity name in the state: Your LLC’s name cannot be similar to another business entity registered in the state. For instance, simply adding a definite article (e.g., The, An, A) or using different punctuation, abbreviations, or fonts will not differentiate your name enough.
Must include distinct identifier. Your business name must include the words “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviated version, such as LLC or L.L.C.
Must avoid certain terms. The LLC name must not include terms that are similar to any state or federal organization or agency (e.g., Treasury, FBI, New Mexico Comptroller).
If the LLC name you want is already taken, you will need to come up with a different one. However, you may still be able to use it if you are able to submit a certified copy of a final court decree that establishes a prior right of the LLC to use that name in the state of New Mexico.
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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