Planning to form a new business in Alaska? Well, there is nothing to worry about. We will guide you on how you can do an Alaska business entity search. The entity search is the first and foremost step while forming a new business. Let’s know how you complete the business entity search by following some easy steps.
Why Do Alaska Business Entity Search?
You can use your chosen or preferred name to form a legal LLC/Corporation in Alaska. For that, you have to perform the Alaska Business Entity Search. You can do that by visiting the Alaska Secretary of state. Conducting a Business Entity Search ensures that the name your chosen name is not only unique but no other entrepreneur has used it to register or reserve their business.
Alaska LLC Naming Guidelines
Certain norms and guidelines set by the secretary of state must be maintained while you conduct the Alaska LLC search.
- The business name must be easily distinguishable from another existing LLC.
- Your business entity should also justify the business name you plan to form and must have the required term after your business name. Such as for LLC, it should have LLC or L.L.C or a Limited Liability Company at the end.
- Your LLC name must not contain any restricted words like “state department”, or “education” as they are commonly used by government agencies.
- Use of any indecent and offensive words in your business name is highly prohibited.
Alaska Corporation Naming Guidelines
The business naming guidelines of a corporation are quite similar to that of an LLC. However, your Alaska corporation search must comply with the following guidelines.
- Your desired corporation name must be easily distinguishable from the ones that are already registered or reserved.
- Your corporation name must include words like “corporation”, “company” or “corp” at the end.
- Words that are restricted like, “veteran”, “university” etc must not be used as they are commonly used by government agencies.
- Use of obscene or indecent words is strictly not permitted.
Alaska Business Entity Search Method
You need to visit the Alaska SOS website to perform the Business Entity Search. A business entity search can let you know whether your desired business name is registered or already reserved. You can also find out more about other businesses. Alaska SOS allows you to perform your search in multiple ways.
1. Search by Entity Number: If you want to know more about any existing business then you can just enter the Entity Number and search. Additionally, you can also select the Current only to get the latest business information.
2. Search By Entity Name: If you want to find out whether your business name is already registered or not you can do the search by Entity Name. You can also use filters like contains only or starts with.
Alaska Business Entity Search Process
You can do the Alaska Business Entity Search by visiting the Alaska secretary of state website. Now that you are aware of the naming guidelines for both the Alaska LLC and corporation search you’ll have to do the Alaska business name search. We have provided you with the exact 5 steps that would help you register your business name without any hassle.
1. List out your Desired Name: You must have chosen one appropriate name that suits your business name the most and complies with the Alaska Naming guidelines. But we recommend you to keep more options in case your first preferred name is not available.
2. Perform a Business Search: Once you have chosen a business name for your LLC or Corporation, you can do the LLC/corporation name search. You can visit the Alaska SOS business search page and use the business name search tool.
3. Analyse the search page result: Once the search results are generated, you can check the names according to the filter used. If similar names appear on the screen but are not the same then you can request Alaska SOS to permit you to use the name.
4. Reserve your LLC/Corporation name (Optional): If you have found your chosen name available, then you can definitely reserve the name so that in the future you can be able to use it. File a reservation application with Alaska SOS. Your name will be reserved for 120 days by paying a filing fee of $25.
5. Register your business with Alaska SOS: If your chosen business name is available, then it is best that you move ahead with registering your business with the Alaska Secretary of State website.
Other Considerations Before Choosing a Name
There are some other considerations as well before choosing your business name. It is important that you consider these factors before you move ahead with registering your business name.
Trademark Search – It is important that along with registering your business you also do a state trademark search. Doing a trademark search will save you from any legal actions in the future.
Domain Name – For online reachability, it is best if your business name and website name are the same. It helps people to reach you very easily. Therefore it is wise that you also look for the same domain name.
Social Media Name – Often there are brands that exist on social media platforms. Thus to avoid confusion it is always advisable to open accounts using your brand name on different social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much will it cost to reserve my business name in Alaska?
A business name reservation in Alaska costs a filing fee of $25. This will secure your name for 120 days.
2. Can I reserve more than one name?
Yes, you can reserve more than 1 name for your business and then choose one. Remember the validity would be 120 days.
3. How do I trademark a name in Alaska?
You'll have to file an online trademark/service mark application at the United States trademark office.
4. How do I check if a business name is already in use in Alaska?
You need to perform a business name search for your desired names on the Alaska SOS website.
Conclusion
Naming your Alaska Business may not seem a tough job, but you must follow certain naming guidelines set by Alaska SOS. Choosing a name following the guidelines keeps you safe from violating any laws in the future. And thus performing the Alaska Business Entity Search is a must.