In 2023, Minnesota placed 45th in terms of real gross domestic product, which wasn’t fantastic. However, its unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country and ranks third for the number of Fortune 500 companies per capita, so not all hope is lost.
In fact, it’s a great state to start a business in, as you can be in an exciting landscape. By filling niches, you can help Minnesota’s economy grow again.
One of the first things you should do is check if your desired company name is available, and that’s possible through a Minnesota business entity search. Below are the main methods to use.
Try a Minnesota Secretary of State Business Entity Search
The best place to start is with a State of Minnesota business entity search through the Secretary of State. Like in most states, they’re in charge of business registrations and records, so they’ll have official information.
To do this search, access the Secretary of State’s website and head to the business filings page. The next step is super easy, as all you’ll have to do is fill in the search bar with your potential company name. You can also toggle between:
- Begins with / contains
- Active / inactive
- Exclude / include
Click on “search” after you’re happy with the parameters, and you’ll get a results page. Each company will have its own line, starting with its name in bold, and then its status, type, and name type. To see more about a specific business, click on “Details” on the right.
This will bring up a page with the following information:
- Business type
- MN statute
- File number
- Home jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Status
- Renewal due date
- Registered office address
- Registered agent(s)
- Principal executive office address
- Manager
The bottom will show the company’s filing and renewal history too.
Use Your Favorite Search Engine
Search engines are powerful tools; they’re free and right at your disposal, so take advantage of that. You can easily do a Minnesota business search by inputting the name and “Minnesota.” You can also add a city name if that’s relevant; in fact, you can do multiple searches with various city names to be thorough.
Whatever you choose, you can instantly see if your desired business name is taken. Keep an eye out for similar names too, as some can be close enough to cause legal issues later on.
In addition, this is an outstanding opportunity to check URLs and social media names. For branding purposes, it’s best if everything matches across the board, so snatch up those things if they’re available.
Have a Go on Our Business Search Tool
We at Business Anywhere offer a free business registration service. You only have to cover the state fees, as well as any other (affordable) services you’d like to add on. You can use our drop-down menu to check how much fees are for each state so there are no surprises.
But before you use those services, you can use our business search tool for an MN business entity search. It’s at the top of the page, and you’ll type in the company name, select LLC, corporation, or PLLC, and then “Check availability.”
The next page will tell you whether or not it’s free. If it is, and if you’d like to use our services, then there’s a part at the bottom for you to fill out your contact details. Once we receive the form, we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Do Your Due Diligence With a Minnesota Business Entity Search
There are various ways you can do a Minnesota business entity search, and the most awesome thing is that they’re all free! You won’t have to spend a dime to figure out if you can proceed with your desired business name.
So don’t be tempted to go straight to registering your company, as this may backfire in the future. An initial business search in MN may just save you from legal troubles.
Sign up with Business Anywhere today to immediately use our free business registration service. Our experts are here to help with any questions or concerns you may have.
