Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Michigan Business Entity Search tool to check if your corporation name is available.
We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in Michigan in this guide.
Recommended: You’ll want to secure your website domain name as soon as possible. Check GoDaddy to make sure it’s available.
Michigan Corporation Name Search
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state. So, you’ll want to search and make sure no other businesses in the state are already using your name.
It is also useful to see if your corporation name is available as a web domain (URL).
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How to Search Available Michigan Corporation Names
Once you know your corporation name meets Michigan business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the Michigan Business Entity Search tool.
Want to learn more about corporations? Check out our What Is a Corporation guide to get started.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When deciding on a name for your corporation, you should make sure that a similar or exact domain name is available. A matching URL will help potential customers find your corporation faster.
How to Register a Corporation Name in Michigan
Register Your Name
A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Michigan Articles of Incorporation. You can hire a professional service to form a corporation for you or start a corporation yourself.
Ready to register your corporation name? Use our Form a Corporation guide to get started.
If you want to register a DBA in Michigan, known as an assumed name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Reserve Your Name
While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in Michigan for up to six months before you register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you are ready to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed online or via hard copy with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The filing fee is $10.
Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.
Michigan Corporation Name Requirements
Key Guidelines
Michigan has official requirements for its corporation names.
The name must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of one of these terms.
There are also restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” that you cannot use in order to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Michigan also has the following restrictions for corporation names:
- The name cannot imply that the corporation is organized for any purpose other than the one outlined in its Articles of Incorporation.
- The name cannot use the words “bank,” “industrial bank,” “deposit,” “surety,” “security,” “trust,” or “trust company” or imply that the corporation is a banking, insurance, surety, or trust company without approval.
- Michigan has a long list of other restricted words that may require approval for your LLC to use in its name. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs provides a full list of restricted words on its website.
For more information, check out the Michigan state statutes on corporation names.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other Michigan business names. In Michigan, a distinguishable name that has a different sequence of letters or numbers from all active names of corporations, limited liability companies, or limited partnerships.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Michigan:
- Business entity suffixes (e.g., LLC, Corp)
- Punctuation
If your corporation name isn’t distinguishable, your Articles of Incorporation filing will likely be rejected.
What if my corporation name is already taken? Our AI-powered corporation name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
For a list of brainstorming tips, check out our guide to naming your business.
Michigan Corporation Name Search FAQ
How do I check if a corporation name is taken in Michigan?
You can use the Michigan Business Entity Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the Michigan Corporation Name Search section.
Should I name my corporation after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming a corporation after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting a corporation is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered business name generator.
What words can’t be used in a Michigan corporation 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.
Additionally, Michigan corporation names cannot use the words “bank,” “industrial bank,” “deposit,” “surety,” “security,” “trust,” or “trust company” or imply that the corporation is a banking, insurance, surety, or trust company without approval.
Michigan has a long list of other restricted words that may require approval for your LLC to use in its name. For more information, consult the full restricted words list provided by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Michigan Corporation Name Requirements section.
Should I use a business name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your corporation, a corporation name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
Do I have to include ‘corporation’ in my name?
Michigan corporation names must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of one of these terms.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Michigan Corporation Name Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Michigan?
Michigan doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but assumed names must be renewed every five years with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Can my business name be different from my corporation name in Michigan?
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 name in Michigan.
In Michigan, assumed names for corporations are filed with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Learn more about assumed names with our Michigan DBA guide.
Does my corporation need a DBA name?
Your corporation doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more with our Michigan DBA guide.