Maine Business Name Search

Learn how to complete a Maine LLC name search

Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register a trade name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Maine Corporate Name Search tool to see if your name is unique.

In our Maine Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Maine.

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Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring your business name follows state requirements and performing a domain name and state search. These are the steps you need to take to determine if your business name is available in Maine. 

1. Follow LLC Naming Rules

Before you perform an LLC name search, you need to make sure your business name follows the state’s business name requirements. 

Some key guidelines for Maine LLC names include:

  • Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “L.C.,” or “LC”).
  • Low-profit LLC names must include “Low-Profit Limited Liability Company,” “L3C,” or “l3c.” 
  • Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Maine reserved names.

Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.

Maine also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

  • You must get approval from the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions to include any of the following words in your name: “savings,” “savings bank,” “bank,” “banker,” “banking,” “trust,” “trust company,” “trust and banking company,” and “credit union” (or any plurals or variations of these words).
  • Your name can’t include obscene language. 
  • Your name can’t promote abusive or unlawful activity.
  • Your name can’t falsely suggest an association with public institutions.

For more information, check out Maine’s official state statutes.

Distinguishability

It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Maine, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.

The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Maine:

  • Business entity type suffixes (e.g., “LLC,” “Corporation,” and “Company”)
  • The use of “and” or “the”
  • Differences in punctuation or capitalization

Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.

2. Conduct a Business Name Search

In order to use your chosen business name, you must ensure it’s unique. To do so, you must complete a business name search for the state of Maine. You can check your business name availability by searching the Maine Corporate Name Search online database.

3. Check Available Domain Names

When choosing a business name you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.

The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.

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4. Reserve Your LLC Name

You may reserve your LLC name in Maine for up to 120 days before you officially register it with the state. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.

You can file a name reservation via hard copy with the Maine Secretary of State. The filing fee is $20.

5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search

Protect your business from potential legal issues by conducting a comprehensive trademark search. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)‘s online database to check if your desired name or logo is already protected. Remember, state-level LLC name availability doesn’t ensure federal trademark clearance. Need expert help? Our guide to the best trademark services for startups can point you in the right direction.

6. Form Your Maine LLC 

To form an LLC in Maine, entrepreneurs need to file a Certificate of Formation with the Maine Secretary of State. This document serves as the legal foundation for your business. 

Your Certificate of Formation should include the LLC’s name, its registered agent information, and the entity’s effective date.

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Maine LLC Name Search FAQ

How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Maine?

You can use the Maine Corporate Name Search tool to see if your preferred business name is available.

Should I name my LLC after myself?

While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this. 

One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.

To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered LLC name generator.

What words can’t be used in a Maine LLC name?

Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.

In Maine, LLC names can’t include any obscene language, and you must get approval from the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions to include any of the following words in your name: “savings,” “savings bank,” “bank,” “banker,” “banking,” “trust,” “trust company,” “trust and banking company,” and “credit union” (or any plurals or variations of these words).

Should I use an LLC name generator?

If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.

What is a brand name?

A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.

Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name Your LLC guide.

Do I have to include LLC in my name?

Yes. Maine requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company” or one of these abbreviations — “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.” — in their legal name.

Do I need to renew my business name in Maine?

Maine doesn’t require LLCs to renew their name.

Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Maine?

Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or an assumed name in Maine. 

In Maine, LLC assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State.

Learn more about assumed names with our Maine DBA guide.

Does my LLC need a DBA name?

Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Maine DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Maine from the drop-down menu.

Maine Business Resources