Wyoming Business Entity Search: A Beginner’s Tutorial (2025)

The Wyoming business name filing fee costs $100, and rejected applications won't get their money back.

A full picture of existing business names becomes vital before submitting any paperwork. Wyoming's Secretary of State maintains strict guidelines about business name uniqueness. These rules surpass many other states' requirements. Adding simple words or punctuation marks won't differentiate your business name enough.

The Wyoming Secretary of State provides a detailed and free business entity search tool. Business owners can easily check both active and inactive names in the database. Names from inactive businesses become available again after two years. The state offers a 120-day name reservation option that costs $60. This reservation protects your chosen name while you prepare other formation documents.

Let me show you the simple steps to search Wyoming business names effectively. You'll learn how to interpret search results and meet state regulations properly. The search tool serves as a vital first step in your business formation journey.

Understanding the Wyoming Business Entity Search Tool

The Wyoming Secretary of State offers a vital online tool that business owners and entrepreneurs can't do without. This free resource helps you establish your business legally in the state. Let me show you how this tool works and why it matters so much when you're setting up your business.

What is the Wyoming Secretary of State Business Search?

The Wyoming Secretary of State Business Search is an online database that keeps track of every registered business in the state ^[1]. Anyone can use this tool to look up registered businesses, check if a name is available, and find important filing details about existing companies.

You'll find the search function at wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx ^[2]. The platform lets you search using either a business name or filing ID number, which makes it really flexible. Here's what you'll see:

• Entity name and ID number

• Current status (active or inactive)

• Tax standing

• Registered agent standing

• Filing date

The database gives you a full picture of specific businesses, with details about filing history, registered agent information, and where their main office is located. This complete system doesn't just help you search names - it's also where you go to submit annual reports and other required paperwork.

Why You Need to Search Before Forming Your Business

You absolutely need to check the Wyoming business database before filing any formation documents. Money is the biggest reason why - if you file a business name that gets rejected, you won't get your fee back.

Wyoming state law puts the responsibility on you to make sure your name works before you register ^[3]. So if your chosen name looks too much like existing ones, you'll have to pay more fees and deal with extra paperwork to fix things.

A good search helps you in three significant ways:

1. Legal Compliance - Wyoming wants business names to stand apart from others in the state ^[4]

2. Financial Protection - You won't waste filing fees on rejected applications

3. Business Identity Protection - Your brand stays unique in the market

The search tool lets you check inactive businesses too. This matters because names of dissolved businesses stay off-limits for a while after they close ^[4]. Make sure you look at everything - active businesses, reserved names, registered trade names, and any companies that closed in the last 2 years.

Types of Business Entities You Can Search For

The Wyoming Secretary of State's database has several types of businesses. You can find information about:

• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) - Business owners love these for their easy management and liability protection

• Corporations (Profit and Nonprofit) - These work best for bigger companies with shareholders

• Limited Partnerships - These have both general and limited partners

• Sole Proprietorships - One-person businesses with simple tax rules

The Wyoming Secretary of State website lets domestic LLCs, profit and nonprofit corporations, and limited partnerships register online ^[5]. Each type of business comes with its own features, benefits, and rules that you should know about before deciding.

Name availability rules apply the same way to all business types. Your search needs to cover every kind of existing business, not just the type you want to create. To name just one example, if you want an LLC but find a corporation using a similar name, you'll need something different - even though they're different types of businesses.

Knowing your way around this search tool makes starting a business in Wyoming much easier. Next up, I'll walk you through exactly how to do a complete search for your business name.

Step-by-Step Guide to Searching Wyoming Business Names

Looking up a Wyoming business name needs careful attention to detail. The process becomes simple once you know the right places to look and how to use the state's official business search portal. Let me guide you through the steps to search for a Wyoming business entity effectively.

Accessing the Wyoming Secretary of State Website

Your first step is to open your web browser and head to the official Wyoming Secretary of State website. The quickest way is to type "wyobiz.wyo.gov" into your browser's address bar ^[2]. This takes you to the Wyoming Online Business Filing System, where the state manages and updates all business entity information.

You can also start at the main Secretary of State website "sos.wyo.gov" and find the "Business" section ^[1]. This portal serves as your central point for all business-related services from the Wyoming Secretary of State.

Navigating to the Business Entity Search Page

The Wyoming Secretary of State website displays a "Search for Business Names/Filings" link ^[6]. You'll find this prominently on the homepage or in the business services section. A click takes you to the Business Entity Search page at "wyobiz.wyo.gov/business/filingsearch.aspx" ^[2].

The accessible interface makes it easy for new entrepreneurs and long-time business owners to find what they need.

Basic Search Methods Explained

You can search Wyoming business entities in two main ways:

1. Search by Name:

   • Type your desired business name in the "Filing Name" field

   • Choose "Contains" instead of "Starts With" for better results

   • Hit the "Search" button to see what comes up

2. Search by Filing ID:

   • Enter the filing ID number if you have it

   • This gets you straight to a specific business entity

   • It works great for annual reports or status checks

Essential Search Tips:

• Leave out designators like "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company"

• Skip punctuation marks, commas, periods, and apostrophes

• Try both singular and plural versions of your name ^[7]

• Don't worry about uppercase or lowercase letters

Advanced Search Options for Better Results

Here's how to do a complete search and avoid name conflicts:

Partial Word Search: Try searching just the main words of your business name. If you want "Mountain View Properties LLC," search for "Mountain View" ^[8]. This helps you spot similar names that might cause issues.

Understanding Non-Distinguishable Elements: Some words don't make your name unique in the system ^[7]:

• Articles: "A," "The"

• Conjunctions: "And," "&"

• Punctuation and special characters

• Plural forms of words

• Company designators (LLC, Inc., Company, Co.)

Checking Inactive Status: The search results show "Inactive" entities ^[7]:

• You can use an inactive name only if it shows "Archived"

• Names marked "Inactive - Administratively Dissolved" or "Inactive - Revoked" might still belong to someone

The Wyoming Business Division at 307-777-7311 or business@wyo.gov can help if you're unsure about a name's availability ^[7]. They'll give you clear answers about whether you can use a specific name.

How to Interpret Wyoming LLC Lookup Results

The results of a Wyoming business entity search give you vital information to make smart decisions about your business name. You'll learn if your chosen name is available and meets state rules.

Understanding Status Indicators (Active vs. Inactive)

The status indicator tells you right away if a name is available. Here's what each status means:

• Active: The business operates and follows state rules. This name is not available for other entities.

• Inactive: The business has stopped operating or lost compliance. The name stays unavailable for two years after the inactive date ^[10].

• Inactive - Administratively Dissolved: The business missed required filings but might still own the name.

• Archived: This sub-status shows the name has passed the two-year waiting period and anyone can register it.

Note that inactive businesses keep their name rights for two years. You should check both the status and inactive date to know if you can use a name.

Reading Filing Details and Dates

Each business entity record shows detailed information when you click the name. The filing details usually show:

1. Formation Date: The date the business started

2. Filing History: All documents sent to the Secretary of State

3. Registered Agent Information: The person or company that gets legal papers

4. Physical Address: The business's registered location

The "Inactive Date" field matters a lot for inactive entities. This date helps you calculate when the name becomes available - exactly two years later.

What to Do When You Find a Similar Name

Your search might show businesses with similar names to your choice. Wyoming has strict rules about name differences. Just changing "a" to "the" or adding LLC or Inc. won't make your name different enough.

The Wyoming Secretary of State's office can help if you're not sure about a name. Call them at 307-777-7311 or send an email to business@wyo.gov. They'll tell you exactly what makes a name different enough.

You might need to think of different names that keep your brand's identity while following state rules. The filing fees don't come back if rejected, so it's smart to check everything first.

Wyoming Business Name Requirements and Restrictions

You must follow specific naming rules when registering an LLC in Wyoming. The state charges a non-refundable $100 filing fee if your name gets rejected, so knowing these requirements saves time and money.

Required Business Designators for Wyoming LLCs

Wyoming's law requires all LLC names to include one of these designators ^[9]:

• Limited Liability Company

• Limited Company

• LLC or L.L.C.

• LC or L.C.

• Ltd. Liability Company

• Ltd. Liability Co.

• Limited Liability Co.

Special LLCs have additional requirements. Low-profit LLCs must use "L3C," "l3c," or variations of "low profit limited liability company" ^[9]. Names of decentralized autonomous organizations need "DAO," "LAO," or "DAO LLC" ^[9].

Prohibited Words and Special Approval Requirements

Your Wyoming LLC name might need extra review and can't be filed online if it contains certain words:

The Department of Education must approve names with ^[3]:

• Academy, College, University

• School, Institute, Institution

• Education/Educational or similar terms

Wyoming's Division of Banking approval is needed for ^[3]:

• Bank, Banker, Banc

• Trust, Bancorp, Bancorporation

Names that start with "A" plus a space or punctuation mark need manual review through paper filing ^[10].

What Makes a Name 'Distinguishable' in Wyoming

Wyoming has stricter rules than most states about name differences. These changes do not make a name distinguishable ^[9]:

• Entity designators like LLC, Corp., Ltd.

• Articles such as "the," "and," or "a"

• Punctuation and special characters

• Capitalization differences

• Singular versus plural forms

A distinguishable name needs at least one different letter, numeral, or word. Good examples include ^[3]:

• Adding numbers (XYZ 2 LLC vs. XYZ LLC)

• Additional words (XYZ Ranch LLC vs. XYZ LLC)

• Different numerals (XYZ 3 LLC vs. XYZ III LLC)

You should know these requirements before searching Wyoming's business entity database to avoid rejection of your filing.

Next Steps After Your Wyoming Company Search

The real work begins after you find an available name through a Wyoming business entity search. Your next steps will secure your business identity and establish your Wyoming company officially.

Reserving an Available Business Name

You can reserve your chosen name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name with the Wyoming Secretary of State ^[11]. This step prevents others from taking your business name while you get your paperwork ready.

The reservation process is straightforward. You'll need to grab the reservation form from the Wyoming Secretary of State website. Send it by mail with a $60 filing fee payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State ^[11]. The process takes about 15 business days ^[11]. You can skip this step if you're ready to form your business right away and file your formation documents directly.

Filing Your Wyoming LLC Formation Documents

Your Wyoming LLC becomes official through the Articles of Organization. You have two options - file online or send it by mail. Online filing gives you instant processing, while paper filings need about 15 business days.

The LLC filing fee runs $100 ^[10]. Online submissions cost an extra $3.75 ^[10]. Paper filings accept checks or money orders, while online filings take Visa or MasterCard credit/debit cards ^[4].

Your Articles of Organization must have:

• Your LLC name with the proper designator (LLC, L.L.C., etc.)

• Registered agent information and consent

• Principal office address

• Email address for official communications ^[4]

Securing Your Domain Name and Online Presence

Your online identity needs attention too. Start by registering a domain name that fits your business name. This digital home becomes your company's foundation online. Domain names usually cost around $25 yearly.

A complete online presence needs more than just a domain. Think about adding:

• A professional website (even a basic one works)

• Business email addresses with your domain name (example: info@yourbusinessname.com) ^[22]

• Wyoming phone number that gives you local presence ^[23]

These elements make your business more credible and help customers find you easily. Many formation services package these online essentials together in their business presence bundles.

Conclusion

A full picture of Wyoming business entities is vital for entrepreneurs who plan to start a business in the state. The state charges a non-refundable $100 filing fee, which makes proper name verification significant before submitting paperwork.

Business owners should employ the Wyoming Secretary of State's free search tool to their advantage. They need to check both active and inactive businesses and understand status indicators to comply with naming requirements. The search process should focus on the two-year waiting period for inactive business names.

The system allows entrepreneurs to reserve their chosen name for 120 days while they prepare formation documents. This $60 investment helps avoid last-minute issues during business registration.

Note that Wyoming business formation needs more than just an available name. A solid business foundation comes from proper filing procedures and securing approvals for restricted words. Business owners who understand and follow these requirements can expect a smooth registration process and a successful launch.

References

[1] - https://sos.wyo.gov/
[2] - https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/business/filingsearch.aspx
[3] - https://sos.wyo.gov/Business/Docs/HowToChooseACompanyName.pdf
[4] - https://sos.wyo.gov/forms/business/llc/llc-articlesorganization.pdf
[5] - https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/
[6] - https://sos.wyo.gov/Business/OnlineBusinessServices.aspx
[7] - https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/WyoBiz/Name_Search_Tips.pdf
[8] - https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/business-name-search-wyoming
[9] - https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/WyoBiz/LLC - Name Statutes 17-29-108 - 17-16-401.pdf
[10] - https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/RegistrationInstr.aspx
[11] - https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/Business/General/LLC/LLC-NameReservation.pdf