File an S Corp in Idaho
Idaho LLC Name Reservation
This guide will show you how to search for and lock down the perfect business name for your Idaho LLC. Read on to learn more or form an LLC with ZenBusiness today for $0 + state fee: $101
Your company name is important. It’s your first impression, and it’s how people will remember you. You don’t want to be the business with a forgettable name. So, when you’ve got that perfect name in mind, that clever alliteration or meaningful acronym, you might think about reserving it before someone else does.
Naming your company is one of the first official steps when starting an LLC in Idaho. In certain situations, it may be beneficial to reserve a business name while you’re preparing to bring your business idea to life.
In this article, we’ll explain when reserving a business name can be helpful and guide you through all the steps involved.
Are You Required to Reserve a Business Name?
No. While some states require name reservation as the first step in the LLC formation process, Idaho does not. Feel free to jump straight into filing your Certificate of Organization, which will automatically register your business name.
Should You Reserve Your LLC Name?
Maybe it took you sleepless nights of brainstorming, or maybe you thought of it while sitting at a traffic light. No matter how you came up with your memorable LLC name, you’ll want to make sure that it’s available and ready to use when you file your Idaho LLC registration.
You have the option to reserve your LLC name, but it’ll cost you a $20 fee. Overall, it’s cheaper to skip this fee and simply start your business, which will lock in your name automatically.
However, there are cases where you may not be ready to officially start your business. Filing an application to reserve your business name gives you “dibs” and ensures that competitors aren’t able to snag it while you’re preparing for launch.
If your business name is unique, including unusual spellings or characters and/or family names, it may not be necessary to reserve an Idaho business name ahead of time. Plus, paying the extra state fee to reserve your business name could be a waste of resources if you’re planning to launch your business soon after.
How Do I Reserve a Business Name in Idaho?
Got a name in mind? Perfect. Follow these steps to reserve it.
Before submitting your application to reserve your business name, you first need to check name availability by performing an Idaho LLC name search. The Business Search tool on Idaho’s SOSBiz website makes this process quick and easy. All you have to do is search for your desired name and see if it’s already in use. Don’t forget that you also need to comply with other business entity name restrictions from the state of Idaho (find them all here). All good? If your LLC name is available and compliant, let out a sigh of relief — you’re ready to reserve it or form your LLC.
The SOSBiz website makes it easy to file an Application for Reservation of Legal Entity Name. On the left side of the page, click “Forms,” then scroll down to find it. You’ll need to create an account before filing.
A second option is to file by mail. Download the PDF form, complete it, and mail or hand-deliver it to:
Office of the Secretary of State
450 N 4th St.
Boise, Idaho 83720-0080
Whether you file online, by mail, or in person, a name reservation costs $20. Pay by credit card if you’re filing online and check (made out to the “Idaho Secretary of State”) if by mail or in person. Typical processing time is 7-10 days, but you can request 8-hour expedited processing for an additional $20.
Idaho Secretary of State Contact Information
| Mailing Address: P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0080 | Physical Address: 450 N. 4th Street Boise, ID 83702 |
| Telephone: (208) 334-2301 | Website: https://sos.idaho.gov/ |
How Long Does an Idaho Business Name Reservation Last?
Anyone planning to do business within the state of Idaho can reserve an entity name. Filing your name reservation prevents another entity from using that name to conduct business in the state during the time of your hold. An entity name reservation in the state of Idaho makes that name yours for a period of four months, and you may officially form your LLC any time during that period to lock it in.
Here’s where you have to be careful. Your reservation is nonrenewable, so once it expires, you risk losing your name to someone else. Just make sure that you’re ready to launch your business within four months before filing a reservation.
Wrapping up and Choosing the Best Route
Your LLC name is an important part of the business. If you’re not ready to launch your business, but you’ve got a perfect name and you think someone else might claim it, consider reserving it.
However, if your business is ready for takeoff, use our comprehensive guide to forming an LLC in Idaho to get started instead. This way, rather than paying an additional $20 for the name reservation application, you’ll only pay the one-time $100 Idaho LLC formation fee to claim your name and form the LLC at the same time. $20 isn’t a fortune by any means, but this will at least save you the hassle of reserving a name and registering an LLC separately.
Save Time by Using a Professional LLC Service
As a business owner, you have a lot to think about. Pile on the responsibility of handling state correspondence, LLC tax information, and more while keeping your LLC compliant, and you’ve got yourself a pretty full plate.
Sometimes the best move is to let someone else take care of the paperwork for you. This way, you can sleep easy knowing you’ll never miss a deadline or compliance requirement with the state. While LegalZoom is by far the most well-known LLC formation service and has decent overall value, ZenBusiness is an entrepreneur favorite. Other than that, IncFile and Northwest are two other popular options with appeals of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Idaho doesn’t have as many restricted words as some other states, but it does still have a few. For instance, you can’t use any words that imply governmental affiliation, and you also can’t use words or phrases that the state deems “grossly offensive.”
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No. In fact, Alabama is the only state that requires entrepreneurs to reserve a business name before forming an LLC. In Idaho and the other 48 states, this is an optional and largely unnecessary step.
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The state of Idaho is home to nearly 170,000 small businesses. Entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and business types find that Idaho is a great place to own and operate a small business.
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The Idaho chapter of the Small Business Development Center is a great place to start, as they offer a wide variety of tools and resources for Idaho LLCs. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Boise District Office is another valuable resource, and the state’s small business resource page also has plenty of good info.
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The overall costs of operating an Idaho LLC can vary considerably based on the specifics of your business. However, we created a helpful guide to help you identify and plan for every expense your LLC will face in this state.
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The answer to this question lies in your personal preferences, but we can give some general pointers. An attorney will cost the most by a mile, but also provides expertise you won’t find with the other options. The DIY route is free of charge but can require quite a bit of legwork and provides no peace of mind that the process is being completed correctly.
Using an LLC service means your business will be formed by professionals who know what they’re doing, while also costing significantly less than a lawyer. This “best of both worlds” attribute is what makes LLC services our preferred option.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Idaho Business Resources
How to Reserve an LLC Name in all 50 States
We break down the LLC Name Reservation process for all 50 states. View all of our guides below.
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