When starting a business in Wyoming, one of the first and most crucial steps is conducting a thorough business entity search. This search helps you confirm whether your desired business name is available and provides valuable information about existing businesses. Wyoming’s business-friendly environment makes it an attractive state for entrepreneurs, but you need to ensure your chosen name isn’t already taken before proceeding with registration.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to perform a Wyoming business entity search, explain the state-specific quirks of the Wyoming Secretary of State’s search portal, and provide you with everything you need to know about securing your business name.
The Wyoming Secretary of State Business Entity Search Tool
The Wyoming Secretary of State maintains an online database called the “Wyoming Business Entity Search Tool” which is officially known as the “Wyoming Secretary of State Business Filing Search.” This database contains records of all businesses registered in Wyoming, including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and other entity types.
Accessing the Search Portal
To access the Wyoming Business Entity Search Tool:
- Visit the Wyoming Secretary of State’s official website at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx
- You’ll be directed to the Business Filing Search page, where you can begin your search without needing to create an account
Step-by-Step Guide to Searching Wyoming Business Entities
Step 1: Enter Your Search Criteria
The Wyoming Business Entity Search Tool offers two primary search methods:
- Search by Business Name:
- Enter the name or partial name of the business you’re looking for
- Select either “Starts With” or “Contains” from the dropdown menu
- For name availability checks, “Contains” is recommended as it will show all entities with similar names
- Search by Filing ID:
- If you know the specific Filing ID number, enter it in the designated field
- This is useful when looking up an existing business with a known ID
Step 2: Review Search Results
After clicking “Search,” the system will display results matching your criteria. Each result shows:
- The business name
- Filing ID
- Status (Active, Inactive, etc.)
- Entity type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
- Filing date
Step 3: Access Detailed Information
Click on any business name in the results to view detailed information about that entity, including:
- Full legal name
- Principal office address
- Registered agent information
- Formation date
- Current status
- Filing history
At the bottom of the entity details page, you’ll find additional tabs that provide further information:
- Additional Details: Contains supplementary information about the business entity
- History: Shows a chronological record of filings and status changes
- Public Notes: Displays any public notes related to the entity
- Parties: Lists the members, managers, officers, or directors associated with the business
Understanding Wyoming Business Entity Status Labels
When conducting your search, you’ll encounter various status designations. Here’s what they mean:
- Active: The business is currently registered and authorized to operate in Wyoming
- Inactive – Administratively Dissolved: The business has been dissolved by the Secretary of State (typically for failing to file annual reports or pay required fees)
- Inactive – Revoked: The business’s authority to transact in Wyoming has been officially withdrawn
- Inactive – Archived: The business has been officially dissolved and its records archived
- Expired: The business registration has lapsed, often due to failure to renew within the required timeframe
For name availability purposes, if a business has been “Inactive” for at least two years, its name may become available for new registrations. However, it’s advisable to contact the Wyoming Secretary of State’s office directly to confirm availability in such cases.
Wyoming-Specific Naming Quirks and Requirements
Wyoming has several unique requirements when it comes to business names:
- Names must be distinguishable from other registered entities
- Making a word plural or singular does NOT make it distinguishable (e.g., “Mountain LLC” vs. “Mountains LLC”)
- Adding articles like “The,” “A,” or “An” does NOT create distinguishability
- Changing “&” to “and” or vice versa does NOT create distinguishability
- Spelled-out numbers vs. numerals (e.g., “Three” vs. “3”) ARE considered distinguishable
- Different entity designators (LLC, Inc., etc.) do NOT make names distinguishable
Additionally, Wyoming has restrictions on certain words that require special approval:
- Educational terms (School, Academy, Institute) require approval from the Department of Education
- Banking-related terms (Bank, Trust) require approval from the Division of Banking
- Terms suggesting affiliation with government entities require appropriate authorization
Wyoming Name Reservation Process
If you find an available name you want to secure but aren’t ready to file formation documents, Wyoming allows you to reserve a business name for up to 120 days by:
- Filing an “Application for Reservation of Name” form with the Wyoming Secretary of State
- Paying a $50 filing fee
- Waiting for confirmation (processing typically takes 3-5 business days)
Name reservations can be renewed once for an additional 120 days if needed. This gives you a total of 240 days of name protection before you must proceed with business formation.
Sample Business Name Search Simulation
Let’s simulate a business name search for “Silver Mountain Ventures LLC”:
- Enter “Silver Mountain” in the search field (omitting “LLC” as entity designators don’t affect distinguishability)
- Select “Contains” from the dropdown menu
- Click “Search”
Possible results might include:
- Silver Mountain Enterprises (Active)
- Mountain Silver Mining Co. (Inactive – Archived)
- Silver Peak Mountain Adventures (Active)
In this scenario, “Silver Mountain Ventures LLC” might be too similar to “Silver Mountain Enterprises” and could be rejected. You would need to choose a more distinguishable name.
What To Do After Your Wyoming Business Entity Search
Once you’ve confirmed your business name is available, you have several options:
1. Reserve Your Business Name
If you’re not ready to form your business yet, you can reserve the name as described above.
2. Form Your Business Entity
To formally register your business in Wyoming:
- For LLCs: File Articles of Organization ($100 filing fee)
- For Corporations: File Articles of Incorporation ($100 filing fee; $50 for non-profits)
- For other entity types: File the appropriate formation documents
Wyoming offers the option to file online through the Secretary of State’s website, which provides immediate processing. Paper filings typically take 15 business days to process.
3. Secure Your Online Presence
Even if your business name is available with the Wyoming Secretary of State, check if corresponding domain names and social media handles are available before finalizing your choice.
4. Register a Trademark (Optional)
For additional protection, consider registering your business name as a trademark at the state or federal level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming Business Entity Searches
What do different status labels mean in the Wyoming business search?
- Active: The business is in good standing and authorized to operate
- Inactive – Administratively Dissolved: The business has been dissolved by the Secretary of State for failing to comply with requirements (such as not filing annual reports)
- Inactive – Revoked: The business’s authority to operate has been officially withdrawn
- Expired: The business registration has lapsed and has not been renewed by the deadline
How long does a name reservation last in Wyoming?
A name reservation in Wyoming lasts for 120 days from the date of filing and can be renewed once for an additional 120 days, giving you a maximum of 240 days of protection.
What are the filing fees for business formation in Wyoming?
- LLC Formation: $100 filing fee
- Corporation Formation: $100 filing fee
- Non-profit Corporation: $50 filing fee
- Name Reservation: $50 filing fee
- Trade Name Registration: $100 filing fee (valid for 10 years)
Online filings incur an additional $2 convenience fee.
Can I reserve or register a business name online in Wyoming?
Yes, Wyoming offers online filing services for business formation through the Secretary of State’s website. However, name reservations that include special characters or begin with the letter “A” followed by a space or punctuation require paper filing.
What should I do if my desired business name is taken?
If your desired business name is already taken or too similar to an existing name, you have several options:
- Choose a more distinctive name that meets Wyoming’s distinguishability requirements
- Check if the existing business with your desired name is “Inactive” and has been for more than two years
- Consider using a trade name (DBA) for marketing purposes while registering under a different legal name
- Modify your business name to make it distinguishable according to Wyoming’s standards
Wyoming Registered Agent Requirements
Every business entity in Wyoming must maintain a registered agent who can receive legal documents and service of process. The registered agent must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a physical street address in Wyoming (P.O. boxes are not acceptable)
- Be available during normal business hours
- Sign a “Consent to Appointment by Registered Agent” form
You can serve as your own registered agent if you meet these requirements, or you can hire a professional registered agent service.
Next Steps After Checking Name Availability
After confirming your business name is available and forming your entity, you’ll need to:
- Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
- Apply for necessary business licenses and permits (Wyoming doesn’t have a general state business license, but depending on your industry, you may need specific licenses)
- Set up business banking accounts to keep personal and business finances separate
- File your annual report by the anniversary month of your formation date (Wyoming requires annual reports for all business entities)
Resources for Wyoming Business Owners
- Wyoming Secretary of State Business Division
- Wyoming Business Council
- Wyoming Small Business Development Center
- Wyoming Department of Revenue
Other State Business Entity Search Pages
If you’re considering forming a business in other states, check out our comprehensive guides for business entity searches across the United States:
- California Business Entity Search
- Colorado Business Entity Search
- Delaware Business Entity Search
- Florida Business Entity Search
- Idaho Business Entity Search
- Iowa Business Entity Search
- Ohio Business Entity Search
- South Carolina Business Entity Search
- South Dakota Business Entity Search
- Tennessee Business Entity Search
- Texas Business Entity Search
- Washington Business Entity Search
Conclusion
Conducting a thorough Wyoming business entity search is a critical first step in establishing your business presence in the Cowboy State. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your business name is available, understand the requirements specific to Wyoming, and proceed confidently with your business formation.
Wyoming’s business-friendly environment, with no state income tax and strong privacy protections, makes it an attractive state for entrepreneurs. Taking the time to properly search and secure your business name will help you avoid potential legal issues and establish a solid foundation for your new venture.
For additional assistance with your Wyoming business formation needs, including registered agent services, annual report filing, and more, contact Business Anywhere today.
