Before you form an LLC, register an assumed business name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Montana Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Montana Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Montana.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).
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Montana LLC Name Search
The Montana Secretary of State requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state.
It's also important to search for a matching domain name (URL).
How to Search Available LLC Names
You can check your business name availability by searching the Montana Business Search online database.
Recommended: If you don’t have a business name yet or find that yours is taken, use our LLC Name Generator.
How to Complete a Domain Name Search
When choosing a business name you'll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
How to Register Your Business Name
Register Your Name
An LLC name is officially registered when you file your LLC application documents and form an LLC.
Ready to register your LLC name? Use our Montana LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA (doing business as) name, called an assumed business name in Montana, is a separate process that requires filing with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Montana for up to 120 days before you officially register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed online with the Montana Secretary of State. The filing fee is $10.
Montana Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Montana LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.). The word "limited" may be abbreviated as "ltd.," and the word "company" may be abbreviated as "co.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Montana reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Montana also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name cannot include identifiers (e.g., Limited Partnership, Inc., Corp.) that imply the company is anything other than an LLC
For more information, check out Montana’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Montana, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences make a name distinguishable in Montana:
- Different key words (a key word is defined as any word that isn’t an article, conjunction, preposition, or business type identifier)
- Different order of key words
- Use of geographic designations
- Phonetic similarities
- Abbreviations
- Different spellings of proper names
- Unique or improper spellings
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Montana:
- Punctuation
- Special characters
- Articles
- Business structure identifiers
- Substitution of numerals for spelled out numbers
- Letter case
- Internet domain suffixes
- Contractions
- Variations of word endings
- Adding “s” to make a word plural or possessive
- Different spacing
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in your formation filing being rejected.
Is your name already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will generate thousands of new ideas.
Montana LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Montana?
You can use the Montana Business Search tool to see if your preferred business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in a Montana LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Montana LLC names also cannot include identifiers (e.g., Limited Partnership, Inc., Corp.) that imply the company is anything other than an LLC.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Montana Naming Requirements section.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name an LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Montana requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Montana Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Montana?
No. Montana does not require LLCs to renew their legal name, but assumed business names must be renewed every five years with the Secretary of State.
You can renew online, and the filing fee is $20.
Learn more about assumed business names with our Montana DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Montana?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or an assumed business name in Montana.
In Montana, assumed business names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about assumed business names with our Montana DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Montana DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Montana from the dropdown menu.
