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Name availability · MS

Mississippi business name search

Mississippi's Business Search lets you look up a business name, business ID, officer or registered agent. You can match with Starting With, All Words, Any Words, Sounds Like or Exact Match. Use Sounds Like to catch names customers could confuse with yours.

How to check if a name is available in Mississippi

  1. 01

    Open Business Search

    Go to the Mississippi Secretary of State's Business Search on corp.sos.ms.gov and choose Business Name.

  2. 02

    Work through the match options

    Start with All Words, then Any Words, Sounds Like and Exact Match. Sounds Like is especially good at finding near-duplicates spelled differently.

  3. 03

    Check registered fictitious names

    Fictitious name registration in Mississippi is voluntary and filed with the Secretary of State, so look for any registered fictitious name that matches your idea.

  4. 04

    Confirm your designator

    An LLC name needs "limited liability company," "L.L.C." or "LLC"; a professional LLC needs "professional limited liability company," "P.L.L.C." or "PLLC."

  5. 05

    Search trademarks and online handles

    A fictitious name registration doesn't give exclusive rights, so search https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/ and check the domain and social handles.

  6. 06

    Brainstorm alternatives

    If Sounds Like turns up close matches, our free /business-name-generator/ can help you find a clearer name.

Mississippi business naming rules

  • An LLC name must include "limited liability company," "L.L.C." or "LLC."
  • A professional LLC name must include "professional limited liability company," "P.L.L.C." or "PLLC."
  • Registering a fictitious name is voluntary and doesn't give the registrant exclusive rights to it.
  • Fictitious name registrations last five years and can be renewed indefinitely.

Reserving a name

Mississippi's LLC Act provides for reserving an LLC name with the Secretary of State before you form (Miss. Code § 79-29-111). Check the current fee and filing method on the agency's site.

DBAs and trade names

Mississippi lets businesses voluntarily register fictitious names with the Secretary of State's Business Services Division. Registration lasts five years, can be renewed, and doesn't grant exclusive rights to the name.

Still looking for the right name?

Brainstorm dozens of options with the free generator, then run your shortlist through the Mississippi search above.

Business name generatorName ideas by industryHow to name your business

Frequently asked questions

How do I search business names in Mississippi?

Use the Secretary of State's Business Search by business name with All Words, Sounds Like and Exact Match to find conflicts.

Do I have to register a DBA in Mississippi?

No. Under Mississippi's Fictitious Business Name Registration Act, registration is voluntary, and it doesn't grant exclusive rights.

How long does a Mississippi fictitious name registration last?

Five years, and you can renew it indefinitely.

What must a Mississippi LLC name include?

"Limited liability company," "L.L.C." or "LLC," or the PLLC versions for a professional LLC.

General information, not legal advice. Name approval is decided by the Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division; a name showing as available in a search is not a guarantee it will be accepted.