Are you thinking of doing business in Utah? Well, in that case, it is very important that you do the essential Utah Business Entity Search. This is primarily a free service search that the Utah Secretary of State provides to anyone who wants to start a company in the state.
When we try to form a business and start our entrepreneurial journey, there are several guidelines that we have to follow. And disregarding any of it can result in legal issues, closure of the company, and other consequences that we might never be ready for.
In this article, we will talk about the following things:
- What is the Utah Business Entity Search?
- How to conduct a Utah Business Entity search?
- Guidelines for naming a company in Utah.
- Guidelines for corporations and LLCs in Utah.
Therefore, if these are a few things that you want to know, keep on reading this blog till the end…
What Is The Utah Business Entity Search?
One of the services that the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code provides free of charge is the Utah Business Entity Search. It allows users to see information about the companies that are registered in the state’s database.
The service is very helpful for different kinds of users. For example, these include the following:
- Business owners who need to check the availability of business names.
- Lawyers who are monitoring the situations of their clients’ entities.
- Founders who are doing competitive research among other businesses.
Additionally, the users of the Utah Business Entity Search could get to know the registration particulars, business statuses, and addresses, as well as the names of the officers.
Moreover, the system provides a more open view into businesses, which in turn supports their credibility and compliance with the state’s requirements.
Utah Secretary Of State Business Search Contact Information
The majority of the states have the Secretary of State managing the business search resources, but this is not the case with Utah. The Division of Corporations and Commercial Code is in charge of the business search site in Utah, which has no Secretary of State.
Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code contact details are given below:
- Website: https://corporations.utah.gov/contact/
- Phone: by calling either (801) 530-4849 or (877) 526-3994 (toll-free)
- Fax: available at (801) 530-6438
- Mailing address: Utah 84114-6705, Salt Lake City, PO Box 146705
- Overnight address: 160 East 300 South (or 160 E Broadway), Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
- Business Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Email: Send to corpucc@utah.gov
Why Should You Conduct A Utah Business Entity Search?
One of the very first steps that you need to take when starting a business in Utah is to do a Utah Business Entity Search. And let us tell you why!
One of the steps in the naming process is searching for business names. The name prevention of registration for a new business that would clearly be infringing on the trademark rights is one of the main points of this search, since it is done in the state and federal business registration databases.
Besides that, the competitor companies are being checked by the system if they are dead, expired, or dissolved to help in knowing the business standing. The status of other businesses is being checked as well to know if they are operating.
To be on the safe side, compliance of the business with the laws of the state regarding names and registration is one of the requirements that are being assessed by the Trademark Office. In Utah, the law clearly states what names are allowed for a business to be recognizable.
Apart from that, investors and partners wanting to make direct checks as a means of easing due diligence also use the system.
If you do not carry out this step, it can lead to name rejection, legal issues, and a series of setbacks that are avoidable.
Read Also: How Virginia Business Entity Search Can Help You Evade Corporate Issues Legally
Utah Business Entity Search: Step-by-Step Guide To Conduct A Search
Planning to conduct a Utah Business Entity Search? We have you covered! Here are the steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Go To The Utah Division Of Corporations Website
Firstly, visit the official website of the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.
Step 2: Go To The Business Search Tool
Secondly, find the “Business Search” link on the homepage under the Online Services or directly from the menu.
Step 3: Decide On Your Search Method
Thirdly, you will be able to look up by:
- Business Name
- Executive Name (officer or registered agent)
- Entity Number
- Business Type or Status (optional filters)
Step 4: Type In Search Terms
Type the exact or the partial name of the business you are searching for. In case you are not sure of the full name, using partial terms will give close matches still.
Step 5: Take A Look At The Results
The tool will show a list of businesses that meet your criteria. For instance, some of the things that will be included in every listing are:
- Business name
- Entity number
- Type (LLC, Corp, etc.)
- Status (Active, Expired, Delinquent)
- Registered agent information
Step 6: Click For More Information
To see detailed information, like:
- Registration date
- Principal address
- Annual report history
- Business officers
Step 7: Find Name Availability
Finally, if there is no exact match, the name you want might be available. If you come across a match with an “Active” or “Hold” status, you will have to either select a different name or make slight adjustments to it so as to comply with Utah’s distinguishability standards.
Utah Business Entity Name Guidelines You Should Know
Utah has laws regarding the naming of businesses with the intention of protecting the clarity of the business and preventing the use of the same names. For instance, when you are choosing a name for your business, it is important to check that:
- It is different enough so that people can recognize it, and you do not copy a name.
- It is not using terms that deceive concerning the type and nature of the business.
- Certain words require the consent of the proper authorities before you can use them, for example, “bank,” “trust,” or “insurance.”
If you adhere to these regulations, the chances of quick business registration approval will increase. Additionally, you will be able to avoid possible delays.
Read Also: Why Illinois Business Search Matters For Companies To Stay Legally Compliant
Other Naming Considerations With Utah Business Entity Search
Another factor to take into account when naming the business is the trademarked business names and the availability of domain names.
Domain Name Availability
It is advisable to check the availability of the website domain name prior to the selection of the business name. Additionally, it would be the same for your audience to find the business—you will also gain their trust—if your domain name is the same as your business name.
Furthermore, you can utilize social media to look up businesses. Moreover, you can also use the domain registrar services like GoDaddy, Wix, or Google Domains to check domain name availability.
Trademarked Business Names
To be on the safe side, conduct a search through the federal trademark database to ensure that your business name will not cause a conflict with someone else’s trademark.
Moreover, it is common practice for big businesses (like Apple or Meta) to take legal action against any other businesses using names that they perceive as similar to theirs, even if they are not in the same industry.
