Michigan Business Entity Search: Start Your Search Here (2024)

FAQs

How do I find out if my business name is taken in Michigan? ›

The availability of a name for a limited partnership, a limited liability company, or a corporation may be checked by visiting the website, contacting the Business Services Section of the Corporations Division by mail, telephone or in person at our office.

You can find the name of the owner if you know the LLC's name. Search by the business name on Michigan's business entity search, and it will show the results on file.

In Michigan, every LLC must file an annual statement each year. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will send you a pre-printed annual statement form approximately three months before the due date.

A Michigan Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) is the best and easiest way to prove that your business is in compliance with state law. Whether you're looking to expand your business outside the state, applying for government funding, or entering into an agreement with another company, a CGS might be essential.

Michigan LLC names must have “LLC,” “LC or “limited liability company” in their names, so make sure you include that in the name field. Keep it simple.

Can I form an anonymous LLC? No. Michigan does not allow for anonymous LLCs, meaning the members' names do not appear on the articles of organization. You can only form an anonymous LLC in Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

An LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN. An LLC applies for an EIN by filing Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

Common methods include the LLC Operating Agreement, Membership Certificates, Articles of Organization, Meeting Minutes and Resolutions, Financial and Tax Documents, Member Agreements and Buy-Sell Agreements, and State Registration and Filings.

Michigan LLC Cost. Forming an LLC in Michigan costs $50—the state fee to file the Michigan Articles of Organization. You'll also need to pay a $25 annual report fee every year to keep your LLC active.

What happens if an LLC is not in good standing in Michigan? ›

If your Michigan LLC has lost its good standing, you can still do business in Michigan. However, you won't be able to file any other paperwork with LARA – not even to dissolve your Michigan LLC. After two years, your Michigan LLC's name will become available for other businesses to use.

If you're a multi-member LLC you are taxed as a partnership and file Form 1065, if filing is required. Every Michigan limited liability company is required to file an Annual Statement each year which is due February 15 each year, with a filing fee of $25.

To check the status of your LLC in Michigan, you have to visit the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) official website. Navigate to the 'Business Entity Search' option, and enter your LLC's name or ID number. This will provide the status of your LLC in Michigan.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit

Your legal team can help you file a lawsuit and show you have used the trademark in commerce. They can also help you prove how the use of the name by the defendant infringes on your business.

Finding Out if a Company Has Gone Out of Business

Companies must register with the State Secretary or Division of Corporations where they conduct business. This is public information that is usually searchable online.

In trademark infringement cases, courts look at whether consumers would be confused by two businesses that operate in the same industry. Essentially, if your name is likely to cause consumer confusion because it's the same or like another business name, then you cannot use that name.