How to Name Your Michigan LLC
Learn Michigan LLC naming rules, how to search name availability on the MiBusiness Registry, and how to register your business name with LARA. Start for $0 + state fee.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Michigan LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $50
Processing time: 5–7 business days (standard); expedited options available
State agency: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Annual report due: February 15 each year
State tax rate: 4.25% flat individual income tax; 6% corporate income tax
Michigan LLC naming rules and registration
To name your Michigan LLC, your name must be distinguishable from existing entities on file with the state, include a required LLC designator, and avoid prohibited or restricted words. You check availability through the MiBusiness Registry, then lock in the name when you file your Articles of Organization with LARA.
Michigan LLC naming rules
Michigan's naming rules come from the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act and are enforced by LARA. Your proposed name must be distinguishable from every corporation, limited partnership, and LLC already on record — not just other LLCs. Distinguishable means a different sequence of letters or numbers, not just a different spelling or punctuation.
Michigan applies this rule broadly, so a name that looks different to you may still be rejected if LARA considers it too similar to an existing entity. Checking availability before you file saves you from a rejected filing and a delayed start.
Required designators for your LLC name
Every Michigan LLC name must end with one of the following designators to be accepted by LARA.
- Limited Liability Company
- L.L.C.
- LLC
- L.C.
- LC
Your name cannot include the words "corporation" or "incorporated," or the abbreviations "corp." or "inc." Those terms are reserved for corporations, and using them in an LLC name will get your filing rejected.
Prohibited and restricted words
Michigan maintains a statewide restricted words list that covers two categories: words that are outright prohibited and words that require special review or approval before use. LARA publishes this list and updates it periodically.
Prohibited words include federal agency names and acronyms like "FBI" — using them in a business name violates federal law. Restricted words include terms that imply a connection to government, financial institutions, or licensed professions. If your name includes a restricted word, LARA may require prior approval from the relevant authority before accepting your filing. Review the restricted words list before you settle on a name.
How to search name availability in Michigan
Michigan's official name availability tool is the MiBusiness Registry Portal, operated by LARA. Go to the Business Search page, enter your proposed name, and use the Advanced search tab to filter by "Name Availability." The Advanced search also lets you filter by "Contains" or "Starts With" to catch close variations that could conflict with your name.
Run this search before you invest time in branding or marketing. A name that clears the MiBusiness Registry search is not automatically available as a trademark — check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database separately if you want broader protection.
How to register your Michigan LLC name
Your LLC name is registered when you file your Articles of Organization with LARA. There is no separate name registration step — the name becomes official once LARA approves your Articles. The standard filing fee is $50, and standard processing takes 5–7 business days.
You can file online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal or by mail. Online filing is faster and gives you a confirmation number right away.
How to reserve a Michigan LLC name
If you're not ready to file your Articles of Organization yet, Michigan lets you reserve a name through LARA to hold it while you prepare. A reservation keeps the name off the table for other filers for a set period. This is worth doing if you've found the right name but need more time to get your formation documents in order.
Michigan DBA and assumed names
Michigan allows your LLC to do business under a name that's different from its legal name. This is called an assumed name — sometimes referred to as a DBA (doing business as). An assumed name is useful if you want a customer-facing brand name that differs from your registered LLC name, or if you run multiple lines of business under one LLC.
You register an assumed name with LARA separately from your Articles of Organization. Your LLC's legal name stays on file with the state, and the assumed name is what you use publicly.
How to change your Michigan LLC name
To change your LLC's legal name in Michigan, you file a Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Organization with LARA using form CSCL/CD-715. You'll need your LLC's current name, LLC ID number, original filing date, and the new name you're requesting.
Before filing, check that the new name is available in the MiBusiness Registry — it still needs to meet all the same distinguishability and designator rules as a new LLC name. You can file the amendment online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal.
FAQ about naming your Michigan LLC
Go to the MiBusiness Registry Portal operated by LARA and use the Business Search page. Enter your proposed name and switch to the Advanced tab to filter by "Name Availability." The Advanced search also lets you filter by "Contains" or "Starts With" to catch close variations. Run this search before filing — a rejected name means a delayed start.
Yes, Michigan has specific naming rules. Your name must be distinguishable from all existing corporations, limited partnerships, and LLCs on file with LARA. It must end with "LLC," "L.L.C.," "LC," "L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company." It cannot include "corporation," "incorporated," "corp.," or "inc." Certain words are also prohibited or restricted and may require prior approval.
Yes. Michigan allows your LLC to operate under an assumed name — sometimes called a DBA — that's different from your registered legal name. You register the assumed name with LARA separately. Your LLC's legal name stays on file with the state, and the assumed name is what you use publicly with customers.
Yes. Michigan lets you reserve a name through LARA before you're ready to file your Articles of Organization. A reservation holds the name for other filers for a set period while you prepare your formation documents. It's a good move if you've found the right name but need more time before filing.
Your LLC name is registered when LARA approves your Articles of Organization — there's no separate name registration step. The standard filing fee is $50. You can file online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal or by mail. If you want to use a different public-facing name, register an assumed name with LARA after your LLC is formed.
File a Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Organization with LARA using form CSCL/CD-715. You'll need your LLC's current name, LLC ID number, original filing date, and the new name. Check the new name for availability in the MiBusiness Registry first — it must still meet all Michigan naming rules before LARA will accept the amendment.
No. A clear MiBusiness Registry search means no other Michigan entity is using the name — it does not give you trademark rights. Trademark protection is separate and comes from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. If you want to protect your name from use by others in your industry nationwide, search the USPTO database and talk to a legal professional about filing a trademark application.
