Nevada Business Entity Search (Step-by-Step Guide)

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by How to Start an LLC Team
Last updated: June 23rd, 2024
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Before forming a new business in the state of Nevada, you’ll need to ensure that the name you are considering is available before business registration.

The Nevada Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search will help you do exactly that. The Secretary of State’s website, also known as SilverFlume or Nevada’s Business Portal, allows you to search for businesses registered in the state using a number of different search types and search criteria.

The following step-by-step guide will show you how to perform a Nevada business entity search.

Nevada search tips

  • When searching for a Nevada-based business, the following tips will help get you the most accurate results:
  • The Nevada business entity search is not case-sensitive. Therefore, you may use upper and lowercase letters.
  • Punctuation marks and special characters will affect your results, so if a name does not include them, ensure that you leave them out
  • Try not to confuse singular and plural keywords in the name, as it will limit your search results
  • There are a number of options that you can use to refine your search results, such as:
  1. Starts with
  2. Contains
  3. Exact match
  4. All words

There is also an Advanced Search option allowing you to search by business type and status.

Additionally, the Nevada Business Search on Nevada’s Business Portal will display trade names, trademarks, reserved names, service marks, and business licenses in the results.

Business search by name

Refer to the Nevada online services portal and navigate to the Business Entity Search page to begin searching for registered businesses by name.

1
Enter the business name

While on the business name search page, enter the preferred name of the business into the search bar next to “Name” and hit Enter on your keyboard.

2
Review the results

If your search has matching entries, it will be displayed on this page. The information you’ll have access to includes:

  • Name
  • Status
  • Filing Date
  • Type
  • NV Business ID
  • Entity Number
  • Mark Number

The total number of matching results are displayed at the bottom of the page.

3
Review additional business information

To access additional details on any business entity, simply click on the name of the business, and it will take you to the business summary page. The business summary page contains entity information, registered agent details, etc.

Additional search criteria

If you don’t want to search by business name, then you may use the following business entity search criteria:

  • Entity number
  • NV Business ID number
  • Officer name
  • Registered agent name

Conduct the search in the exact same way as you did during the “Search by entity name” option.

However, depending on your search criteria, enter the relevant information, be the entity number, business ID, officer name, or registered agent name, and hit Enter on your keyboard.

If matching entries are found, it will take you to the same page that it did in step two of “Search by entity name.”

Thereafter, you have the option of clicking on the business name to access additional business information.

Nevada search results

Irrespective of your search type or criteria, you will have access to the following information:

  • Entity name
  • Entity type
  • Formation date
  • Termination date
  • Series LLC
  • NV Business ID
  • Annual report due date
  • Registered agent details
  • Officer information

Additionally, you’ll find a few tabs at the bottom of the business summary page allowing you to view:

  • Filing history
  • Name history
  • Mergers/Conversions

Copies of documents and certificates

Certified copies of business documents will come in handy when it comes to opening a corporate bank account and applying for financial assistance for your business. Additionally, if you’d like plain or certified copies of business documents pertaining to another entity, you may complete a Copies Order Form.

Nevada’s Department of State’s office provides access to public records that is in accordance with Nevada’s Revised Statutes Chapter 239. According to the revised statutes, all public records and contents that are declared by law to be confidential will be open for obtaining copies or inspection.

To obtain copies of business documents, you’ll need to put your request through to the office’s public information officer using the following contact details:

E-mail address: [email protected]

Mailing and physical address:
Public Information Officer
Nevada Secretary of State
101 North Carson Street, Suite 3
Carson City, NV 89701

The most frequently requested business documents include:

  • Articles of Organization
  • Annual lists
  • Business licenses

Follow these guidelines for submitting the Copies Order Form and ensure that you get the copies you requested in order.

Business name availability

The state of Nevada does not offer a name availability check online. However, using the Nevada Business Portal to conduct a business entity search will give you an indication of whether there are businesses registered under your preferred name.

You should also take note that if the status of a specific entity says “default” or “active,” then the name is currently in use by another entity and therefore not available for business registration.

Additionally, when it comes to determining name availability, any and all symbols, corporate endings, signs, spaces, and the words “An” “The” and the symbol for and is removed by the Secretary of State’s office.

When considering a name for business formation, there needs to be at least one character difference between that name and “default or active” entities in the state of Nevada.

The business entity search on the SOS website also picks up trademarks, reserved names, trade names, business licenses as well as service marks. So you will NOT need to conduct a separate trademark search to find out if the name is available or not.

Additionally, like other states, Nevada has state statutes that contain naming guidelines and rules that come in handy when deciding on a business name for your Nevada-based business. Read through it to ensure that your preferred name is in line with the rules of the state prior to business filing. This will help avoid your application being rejected and will save you unnecessary costs and wasted time.

If you come across a name that you would like to use for your business, and it is available, then you may reserve the name until you’re ready to initiate the business registration process. In order to reserve the name, you must file An Application for Name Reservation either online or via mail. You’ll need to create an account on the SilverFlume website first.

After completing the Name Reservation Form, go ahead and file it online or contact the NV SOS office to get a copy of the form and have it sent to the following address:

Secretary of State
202 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

The filing fee for a name reservation in Nevada is $25.

Domain name availability

Domain names are an important aspect of any business. Not only does it ensure your business has professional credibility and authority, but it’s absolutely essential for establishing your online presence.

Furthermore, having an online presence eliminates the need to have flyers and catalogs printed, which in turn saves you a lot of money.

Having a domain name or website allows customers to browse through your products and services quickly and effortlessly. That said, choosing a domain name is an important decision, and not choosing correctly could have negative consequences on your brand and your business.

The good news is that if you do an adequate amount of research, and choose a domain name that’s in line with your business and brand and one that is user-friendly, then it will be a valid investment.

When choosing a domain name, ensure that you adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Do not choose a long and complicated domain name as people may find it hard to remember the name or could be completely put off from even going to your website
  • While the .com extension seems to be increasingly popular, don’t forget that there are many other domain extensions that you can use.
  • Your domain name should use targeted keywords that are relevant to your website and your audience.
  • Avoid the use of hyphens and doubled letters
  • Ensure that your domain name is unique and not easily confused with competitors’ websites

One of the best ways to find the ideal domain name is to use a professional domain checking service like Namechk.com. The service helps to filter your options and provides suggestions when your selected domain name is already in use.

Fictitious business name search

If you’re planning on doing business under other names aside from your legal entity name, then you need to have the names legally registered with the state of Nevada.

These names are often referred to as fictitious, assumed, trade, or DBA names. When you register your fictitious names with the state, it allows you to transact legally.

In Nevada, you need to register your DBA with the County Clerk. You need to register your fictitious name in each county where you plan on conducting business.

Ensure that you adhere to the state naming requirements when choosing your fictitious name.

Some of the basic naming rules dictate that you should not use names that may be deemed deceptive or fraudulent or misrepresent actual business transactions. You should also avoid using DBAs that are similar to existing entities in the state.

Start by completing the Certificate of Business: Fictitious Name Form. Please note that the form must be notarized or signed in person in front of a deputy clerk.

Once you have completed the form, submit your Fictitious Name Registration Form either at the County Clerk’s office or have it mailed to the relevant County Clerk.

The fictitious name registration comes with the following filing fees:

  • Filing fee – $20
  • Certification – $6
  • Copies – $0.50

FAQs

What does a Certificate of Good Standing prove?

A certificate of good standing will prove that your business has filed and paid the relevant documents and taxes. The certificate comes in handy when you want to enter into other business transactions, sell a business and therefore require a corporate tax lien waiver, obtain financing, etc.

What are the criteria for choosing a registered agent?

The registered agent, also known as the service of process agent, must be at least 18 years of age, have a physical street address within the state which is not a PO Box address, and must maintain availability during regular business hours. Additionally, the registered agent must consent to the appointment.

What is the key difference between for-profit corporations and nonprofits?

For-profit corporations are businesses whose primary goals are to generate income and profit for their employees, leaders, and founders. Nonprofit businesses, on the other hand, are organizations that are primarily focused on providing a charitable benefit to the community.

What is a business entity name?

A business entity name is a legal name under which a business is formed. This is the name that you will be using on all formation documents as well as all correspondence with the state. The business entity name differs from the trade name, which is purely for branding purposes and not the business’s legal name.

Is a limited liability company (LLC) better than a limited liability partnership(LLP)?

Both limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships have an equal amount of pros and cons. Additionally, it could be quite costly to change the structure of the business once you’ve made the state filings. However, if your primary concern is tax liability or limited liability, then an LLC would prove to be the better option.

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