Wyoming Business Name Search: How to Check and Reserve a Name
Picking a business name is one of the first decisions you'll make, and getting it right matters. In Wyoming, before you file your LLC or corporation, you need to verify that your chosen name is available and meets state requirements. This guide walks you through the process: searching the name on Wyoming's official WyoBiz portal and reserving it on a paper form.
What You Need Before You Start
Searching for and reserving a Wyoming business name requires minimal materials. Here's what to have ready:
- Your desired business name (or several options, since your first choice may not be available)
- A computer with internet access
- An email address to list on the reservation form (the form says filing evidence is sent to any email you provide)
- A check or money order payable to Wyoming Secretary of State for the $60 reservation fee (if you plan to reserve the name)
- The Wyoming Secretary of State website: https://sos.wyo.gov/
- Knowledge of your intended entity type (LLC or corporation) so you know what name ending is required
Wyoming Business Name Requirements
Wyoming imposes specific rules on what names are allowed. Knowing these rules now prevents rejected filings later.
Name Endings for LLCs
If you are forming a limited liability company (LLC), your name must include one of these exact endings:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Company
- LC
- L.C.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Co.
Wyoming law requires one of these designators. You cannot form an LLC with just a company name alone.
Name Endings for Corporations
Wyoming does not require a corporate designator such as Inc. or Corp. in a corporation's name (W.S. 17-16-401). A corporate name may not imply a purpose other than the one in its articles, and it must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records from other entities, trade names and reserved names. Many corporations still add Inc. or Corp. voluntarily.
Special Rule: Names Beginning with "A"
Wyoming's online filing system does not accept entity names that begin with the letter "A". If your business name starts with "A", you must file your formation documents on paper with the Secretary of State, not online through WyoBiz. Name reservations are always filed on paper.
Step-by-Step: Searching for Your Business Name
Step 1: Go to the WyoBiz Filing Search
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Wyoming business search portal: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx
You are now on the business entity search page. This database contains all registered businesses in Wyoming, including LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and other entities.
Step 2: Enter Your Proposed Business Name
In the search box labeled "Business Name", type your intended business name. You can enter the full name with the LLC or Inc. designator, or just the core name. For example, if you want to name your company "Mountain Peak LLC", you can type either "Mountain Peak LLC" or just "Mountain Peak".
Try a few variations in spelling, spacing and punctuation, since a similar name can still conflict with yours.
Step 3: Run the Search
Click the "Search" button. WyoBiz will scan its database and return results within a few seconds.
Three possible outcomes can occur:
- No results found: Your name appears to be available. This is the result you want. Proceed to Step 4 to search for similar names.
- Exact match found: A business with your exact name already exists in Wyoming. That name is unavailable. You must choose a different name.
- Similar names found: One or more businesses with similar names appear in the results. Review these results carefully to see if any conflict with your intended use.
Step 4: Check for Confusingly Similar Names
Even if your exact name is available, Wyoming requires that your business name be "distinguishable" from the names on the Secretary of State's records. A name that is too close to an existing name can be rejected.
Review any similar results in detail. For example, if you search for "Mountain Peak LLC" and find "Mountain Peak Services LLC" already registered, those two names may not be sufficiently distinguishable.
If you find a very similar name, try a different variation or add a more specific descriptor to your business name.
Step 5: Search a Second Time Before Reserving
Once you have confirmed your name appears available, repeat the search one more time. Between your first search and now, another person may have filed the same name. This is rare but possible, especially with popular name formats. A quick second check takes 30 seconds and protects you.
Step-by-Step: Reserving Your Business Name
Searching alone does not reserve your name. Any other person can file the same business name while you are gathering paperwork. To lock in your name, you must file a formal name reservation with the Secretary of State.
Step 1: Gather Your Name Reservation Information
Before filing, have the following ready:
- Your full, exact business name (with LLC, Inc., or other designator)
- The name and mailing address of the person or entity reserving the name (typically the business owner or future owner)
- A phone number and email address for contact
- A check or money order for the $60 reservation fee, payable to Wyoming Secretary of State
Step 2: Download the Name Reservation Form
The LLC name reservation must be filed on the official Limited Liability Company Application for Reservation of Name form. Download it from the Wyoming Secretary of State at: https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/Business/General/LLC/LLC-NameReservation.pdf
Print a copy or open the PDF on your computer. The form is one page and straightforward to complete.
Step 3: Complete the Reservation Form
Fill in the following fields on the form:
- Proposed name to be reserved: Enter your exact business name, including the LLC designator.
- Name of applicant: Enter the person or entity applying to reserve the name.
- Address of applicant: Provide a complete address for correspondence.
- Title, phone and email: Include contact information so the Secretary of State can reach you if needed. The form must be signed by an authorized individual.
Sign and date the form where indicated.
Step 4: Mail the Form With Payment
Name reservations cannot be filed online. WyoBiz handles online formations and similar filings, but this form is paper only. For reference, the WyoBiz portal is at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/RegistrationInstr.aspx
Mail the signed form with a check or money order for $60 payable to Wyoming Secretary of State to the address at the top of the form: Herschler Building East, Suite 101, 122 W 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020. The form cannot be accepted by email.
The filing fee is $60. If you submit your Articles of Organization at the same time, a name reservation is not required.
Step 5: Receive Your Confirmation
Once the Secretary of State processes your form, it sends filing evidence to the email address you listed on the form. Save this confirmation for your records.
Allow up to 15 business days for processing after the Secretary of State receives your form.
How Long Does a Name Reservation Last?
A Wyoming business name reservation is valid for 120 days from the date of filing. During this period, no other person or business can register that name. After 120 days, the reservation expires and the name becomes available again.
If you file your LLC or corporation documents before the 120 days expire, the name becomes part of your official entity registration and you keep it indefinitely (as long as you maintain your business in good standing).
Corporation name reservations are nonrenewable (W.S. 17-16-402), and the LLC statute does not provide for renewal, so plan to file your formation documents within the 120 days. If you need more time, ask the Secretary of State before relying on a second reservation.
Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Forgetting the LLC or Inc. Designator
Your business name search must include the proper ending (LLC, Inc., etc.) because that ending is part of your legal business name. Searching for "Mountain Peak" alone when you intend to file as "Mountain Peak LLC" is incomplete. Always include the full designator in your search.
Mistake 2: Assuming Availability Means Distinctiveness
Just because an exact name match does not exist does not mean your name will be approved. The Secretary of State can reject a name if it is too similar to an existing business, even if the name is not identical. If you find similar names in your search results, consider whether your name is truly distinct enough to avoid confusion.
Mistake 3: Not Searching Before You Spend Money on Branding
Do not invest in logos, website domains, or business cards before you confirm that your business name is available in Wyoming. A $60 name reservation costs far less than redesigning all your branding materials because your first choice was unavailable.
Mistake 4: Reserving a Name and Then Waiting Too Long to File
Name reservations expire after 120 days. If you reserve a name but do not file your LLC or corporation documents within that window, you will lose the name reservation, and the name may no longer be available. Plan to file your formation documents within 90 days of reserving your name to leave a safety buffer.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the "A" Rule
If your name begins with the letter "A", you cannot file your formation documents online. You must print them, sign them, and mail them to the Secretary of State. Check your name's first letter before starting the online filing process.
Tip 1: Search Multiple Variations Upfront
Have a backup list of business names ready before you start searching. If your first choice is unavailable, you can search your second and third options immediately without starting over. This saves time and reduces frustration.
Tip 2: Keep Your Reservation Confirmation
Save your name reservation confirmation email or letter in a safe place. You will need to reference it when you file your LLC Articles of Organization or corporate Articles of Incorporation. It proves you reserved the name and validates your ownership of that name during the 120-day reservation period.
Tip 3: Check for Domain and Social Media Availability First
Before you fall in love with a business name, do a quick check on domain name availability (through a registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap) and on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You want a name that works not only in Wyoming's business registry but also online. A name that is available in Wyoming might already be claimed as a domain or social media handle.
What Happens After You Reserve Your Name?
After your name reservation is approved, you can move forward with forming your business. The next steps typically include:
- Preparing your Articles of Organization (for an LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (for a corporation)
- Appointing a registered agent in Wyoming (required for all business entities)
- Filing your formation documents with the Secretary of State
- Obtaining an EIN from the IRS (if your business will have employees or operate as a partnership, corporation, or certain LLC structures)
- Applying for business licenses or permits specific to your industry
- Opening a business bank account
Your name reservation does not complete the formation process, but it is an essential first step that protects your chosen name while you handle these remaining tasks.
Disclaimer
This article is informational and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Business formation laws are specific and change over time. Before you file your name reservation or formation documents, consult with a qualified attorney or business formation professional in Wyoming to ensure you are following all applicable rules and that your name meets current state requirements. The Wyoming Secretary of State's website and the official WyoBiz portal are your primary sources for current, authoritative guidance on business naming and formation.