One of the first steps to take when starting an Arizona business is to perform an Arizona Business Search.

The Arizona Corporation Committee keeps an organized log of Arizona business entities that exist or have dissolved.

The database is free to utilize and makes information technology piece of cake to find existing businesses or wait to meet if a business name may be available.

How to search Arizona business names

Searching for Arizona businesses is done through the Arizona Corporation Commission website .

Arizona Corporations and LLCs are searchable past the following criteria:

  • Entity Proper noun
  • Statutory Agent Name
  • Principal Name
  • Entity ID

At that place are filter options to search by Inactive, Active, Name Blazon, and past Canton.

Arizona entity name

The "Name" search query is the most commonly used when performing a business entity search . Enter in the concern name and select "search," and the database will generate any names related to the name entered.

There is no demand to enter phrases like "LLC, Corp, or other naming designations every bit the database will generate results for every type of entity.

Statutory name

The Statutory proper name filter generates results for statutory agents that accept filed entities in the state of Arizona .

  • Enter a total or last proper name and select "search."  The search results volition generate all corporations that are associated with the statutory proper name entered.

Principal name

The Principal Proper noun filter will pull upward any principles that are associated with the entity name .

  •  The full name must be entered and spelled correctly to generate results.

Entity ID

Enter in the desired Registration ID and select "Search" to generate results.

Arizona name search condition

If a business organisation is struggling to recall of a good business concern name, one style to generate ideas is to look through the search results list to meet if whatever expired names could fit the business.

For example, if someone wanted to open up up a new BBQ restaurant, they could enter "BBQ" into the search bar and generate a listing of ideas that are available based on the business concern status results:

The status description will give business owners ideas of potential proper noun based on how they are classified:

  • Active: The entity is agile and the name is not available.
  • Inactive: Inactive Corporations are entities that accept ceased operations, only may not have filed dissolution paperwork.

If at that place is a business entity proper noun that is inactive that is of interest information technology is recommended to call the Arizona Corporation Committee at (602) 542-3026.

Trademark search

I thing to remember is that even though the desired Arizona business concern name may exist available, information technology could have a registered trademark.

Performing a trademark search through the Trademark Electronic Search Arrangement before selecting a business name could prevent headaches in the futurity.

Side by side steps

1. Bank check if the domain name is available

  • Many of the .com domain names with six or fewer letters are already taken, so getting creative may exist necessary. Websites like Namechk and GoDaddy tin can aid filter available domain names and suggest alternatives that may be a skillful fit.
  • While a .com is the most familiar domain extension used, extensions similar .co, .cyberspace, and .io are becoming more than commonly used as the internet ages and tin be a good fit in one case a company proper name is selected.

ii. Check if the social media proper name is available

In the digital historic period, it is essential to have a solid social media presence. Customers will often cheque sites like Yelp and Google Reviews to gauge what others recall about a business. Some other tips on social media for an Arizona business entity :

  • Having a strong social media presence for modest businesses is an excellent way to heave organic presence on the web, impress customers, and build sensation.
  • Unfortunately, similar domain names, social media handles are often hoarded. Brand sure to check sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest to ensure the handle is not beingness used.
  • If the handle is available, lock the username in place to brand sure it is not taken.
  • Software platforms like SocialPilot can help simplify managing various social media platforms.

iii. Annals Arizona business entity

After selecting a business name , businesses tin register their incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission .

Another pick is to file with companies likeNorthwest Registered Agent, Incfile or ZenBusiness , who can take intendance of the filings for as trivial as $0 plus state filing fees .

For further stride-by-step instructions on how to file your LLC check out this Arizona LLC Guide.

Arizona business entity name reservation

If a business organization is not ready to annals their entity but has a name picked out, they tin can submit a ane-twelvemonth name reservation request through the azcc.gov site for a filing fee of $45 (filing fee plus $35 expedite fee). After a year, there is an selection to submit a name reservation renewal asking if they need boosted fourth dimension.

4. Register TAX ID/EIN with the IRS

An EIN is a 9-digit number that identifies a business organization for tax purposes. Retrieve of information technology as a social security number for businesses. Filing your EIN for a limited liability visitor (LLC) is straightforward and can be done online. Arizona corporations tin can annals for a Tax ID for $79 with Swyft Filings .

5. Create a logo

Similar to selecting a good concern name , businesses with a neat logo print customers, help distinguish themselves from the competition, and create a positive visual retention of your unique business concern services for customers.

With the emergence of freelance marketplaces, it is easy to get a logo done on Fiverr in 24 hours or less.

6. Write a business organisation plan

Writing a business organization plan tin can help organize business owners' ideas and create a pathway for businesses to follow. Having a professionally written business plan too impresses investors and helps create accountability.

Liveplan.com is a business plan software that can help make the procedure like shooting fish in a barrel as they have over 500 sample plans to choose from.

Businesses that form partnerships should consider having a professional operating agreement .

7. Open a business banking concern account

Having a business bank account is required for businesses as information technology helps proceed business and personal finances divide. It also helps build business organization credibility in the result business loans are needed to grow the business in the future.

Businesses must accept a business mailing accost in society to open up a business organisation bank account and are not allowed to utilize a po box as their primary mailing accost .

Lili and Novo are online banks that specialize in working with freelancers and entrepreneurs.

We recommend Novo Bank

Built for pocket-size concern owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers.

8. Setup an email account

Google Workspacecan help ready an @yourcompany e-mail address for equally lilliputian as $half-dozen per month.

Plan on running your concern well

Google Workspace helps with email addresses, squad collaboration, productivity, and more than.

9. Annals a trademark

One of the easiest ways to file a trademark is through LegalZoom . They take options to file by themselves or pay an boosted fee to have an attorney take care of the filings.

Arizona business construction naming considerations

When selecting an Arizona business name , it is important to sympathise the different naming requirements for each of the unlike entity types .

Sole proprietorships and partnerships

In Arizona , sole proprietorships do non have to file with the corporations division to brainstorm business operations. Sole Proprietorships typically operate under a person's proper name, then there is no need to perform a business organisation proper name search in most situations.

Like Sole Proprietorships , Partnerships are relatively easy to file and generally include all partners' final names (ex: Smith, Jones, and Lasalle).

LLCs

LLCs are separate legal entities that split up owners' business concern interests, debts, and liabilities from personal responsibilities. Names for LLCs are required to be filed with the Alabama Secretary of State and must be unique.

A few reminders when naming LLCs:

  • Arizona business names must include the words "LLC, L.50.C., or the phrase express liability company . "LLC" is most ordinarily used after a business proper name , then nosotros recommend using that abbreviation when filing Arizona articles of organization .
  •  An LLC name should not include the terms Inc., Corporation, Corp, or Incorporated in the LLC name.
  • The state may not corroborate an Arizona business proper name if information technology is non conspicuously distinguishable from the other business.

Corporations

Corporations, like LLCs, are carve up legal entities that require filing with the corporation commission.  Corporations are fairly complex and typically used by large companies looking to upshot stock and attract investors.

Corporation naming considerations:

  • Corporations must include "corp", "corporation", "Inc", "limited", or "company" in the concern name to indicate that it is a corporation.
  • South Corporations are bailiwick to the same naming requirements equally traditional corporations.
  • Professional Corporations must bespeak that they are ane past using "professional corporation" by using the letters "PC" instead of typical corporate designation.

FAQs

Is a registered agent required to file an LLC in the land of Arizona?

A registered agent is someone that is designated to receive official papers for your LLC , LLP , or corporation. individuals are able to deed as their own registered agent every bit long every bit a concrete address ( p.o. box is non immune) is used in the state where your business organization entity is formed.

Ane of the chief benefits of using a third-political party registered agent company is that it adds a layer of privacy between the business concern and the full general population. The registered agent company receives all documents on a business's behalf and can mail service them to you privately.

Northwest Registered Agent offers free mail service forwarding and has a keen reputation in the industry.

If I aggrandize my concern out of Arizona do I need to register a new LLC in each state?

LLC owners in the state of Arizona do not demand to file a new LLC in a different state if they expand outside of the country of Arizona. However, it may brand sense to file a DBA in divide states if you lot want to create a unique brand for unlike locations.

For instance, if you started a dry-cleaning business in Phoenix AZ called "Phoenix Clean2Go," it wouldn't make much sense if you ended up expanding to Albuquerque, NM and go along to utilise that name. Companies tin file a carve up DBA name in the state of New United mexican states and call the business something like "ABQClean2Go," while operating nether the LLC filed in Arizona.

Some niche businesses prefer this model because they want to target geographies and feel like information technology connects all-time with consumers to have a specific geographical focus in their business proper name .

Where tin can I observe data on Arizona business licenses?

Business license information can be found on the Arizona Department of Revenue website .

Why should I file a trademark? How do I file?

A trademark gives entrepreneurs legal protections over their brand. Every bit your Arizona business concern grows, competitors tend to pop upwards to try and compete against yous in the market.

A trademark sends a message to competitors that may be looking into your niche that you mean business.

Trademarks likewise appreciate as your concern grows and increases brand recognition. If you lot are ever hoping to sell your business downwards the line, having a solid trademark can add to your valuation.

If your business has a physical product that you are looking to sell on sites like Amazon, in that location are special features businesses can access with a registered trademark, which helps prevent infringement on your products.

  • Because the database is very complex to navigate, some people prefer to pay companies like LegalZoom to do the work for them.
  • Check out the LegalZoom Trademark options to come across if it makes sense for your limited liability company in one case y'all have zeroed in on an entity name .

Should I file a DBA?

A DBA (doing business every bit), or merchandise proper name , is a fictitious business name that companies operate under for business organisation outside of the formal LLC name . DBA names are filed with the Arizona Secretary of State or tin be filed with companies like Incfile.com .

Here are a couple of benefits of DBAs:

  1. Expansion possibilities: having a DBA enables businesses to aggrandize past their original business and without starting a new business organisation entity . Simply creating a new DBA and operating under the existing LLC is all that would be needed.
  2. Privacy: One of the best benefits of having a DBA is that it gives businesses the ability to operate under a fictitious business proper noun and not have owners' personal names revealed publicly.