How to Conduct a Nebraska Business Entity Search

The Nebraska business search is a valuable tool for individuals looking to learn more about businesses registered in the state. Whether you’re a practiced business owner who needs to request a Certificate of Good Standing or a new entrepreneur who wants to start investigating business names, this search can be a helpful resource.

But it can feel overwhelming to navigate the search, especially if you don’t regularly use a tool like this. That’s why we’ve assembled this guide; we’ll walk you through the essential steps to running a Nebraska search. We’ll also cover some essential business naming rules and what you should do after searching a business name.

Let’s get started.

Nebraska Secretary of State Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 94608 Lincoln, NE 68509-4608	Physical Address: 1445 K Street Suite 2300 Lincoln, NE 68508
Telephone: (402) 471-2554	Website: https://sos.nebraska.gov/

Nebraska Business Name Guidelines

When you’re starting a business, one of the most important things you’ll do is pick your business name. And like other states, Nebraska has several rules about naming your business. 

First, your name needs to be different from the names of other registered companies in Nebraska, including both domestic and foreign corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and so on. This is one of the simplest but most important naming standards. 

That said, uniqueness isn’t the only naming guideline to adhere to. Here are a few other rules your Nebraska business name should follow: 

• Your business name should include a designator. For example, a corporation needs to include the words “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company, “limited,” or an appropriate abbreviation of those words. Meanwhile, an LLC needs to include the phrases “limited liability company” or “limited company” or the abbreviation “LLC” with or without periods.
  • A banking business organized under the Nebraska Banking Act doesn’t have to include these words if the word “Bank” is included in the name.
• Your name can’t state or imply that you’re conducting activities that aren’t permitted by law or by your company’s formation documents.

If you’re in a licensed trade or profession, keep in mind that you’ll need to meet any naming rules that your industry has in place, too. If your business name doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll need to pick a new one. 

Nebraska Business Entity Search by Name

The first way you can use the Nebraska business search is to search by entity name. In this section, we’ll cover how to run that search.

Step 1: Set your search filters and type your search

To get started with the name search, you’ll need to check that you’re using the correct search options. Here are the different types of searches you can run:

• Name Starts With
• Name Keyword Search (all words or any word)
• Name Sounds like
• Name Exact Match

Pick the name-related search bubble that best meets your search goals. Then, type in your desired name, complete the reCAPTCHA, and hit “Perform Search.”

Step 2: Review your search results

The search tool will pull up a variety of search results (or display a message that “Your search has returned 0 results” if there are no matches). For example, when we searched the name “Smith,” this is what our results looked like:

This first page will show you the full business name of every company that matches your business. You’ll also see the account number assigned to the company by the state, the business entity type, its status, and a button labeled “Details.”

Clicking on the “Details” button will direct you to a second results page where you can review even more business details about the company. This includes the company’s principal office address, the name and address of the registered agent, the nature of the business, and more. You can also use this page to review and request copies of business documents or order a Certificate of Good Standing.

Checking Name Availability Using This Search

The Nebraska Business Services Division doesn’t tout this search tool as an authoritative source for determining if a name is available; they recommend making a formal inquiry with their office to accomplish that. However, you can use the search tool as a preliminary inquiry to help save you time.

To use the search tool to check name availability, you’ll want to run a couple different searches. To start, run a “Name Starts With” search and type in the full name you’re hoping to use (minus the business entity type identifier like “LLC”). After that, it’s helpful to run other searches, including the “Name Sounds Like” and a “Name Exact Match” search against your desired name.

If any of these searches yield matches that wouldn’t be distinguishable from yours, you’ll probably need to pick a new name or edit yours. But if there aren’t any matches, there’s a good chance your name is available. You’d have to formally request a reservation or inquire about the availability with the Secretary of State, though.

Nebraska Secretary of State Business Search by Account Number

An alternative search option, and a more precise one, is to search using your company’s account number. Through this search, you’ll gain instant access to your business details. That’s because the state issues a unique account number to every company, so the Nebraska business search will only locate one result using this search.

To get started, proceed to the business search home page, but instead of clicking one of the “Name” bubbles, you’ll need to click the “Account Number” bubble. Then type in your account number, click the reCAPTCHA to indicate that you’re not a robot, and then hit “Perform Search.”

As long as you entered the account number correctly, you’ll see your business details page (not a list of results). On this page you can see all the data currently on file with the Secretary of State’s office. You will also be able to purchase a Certificate of Good Standing if you wish.

What to Do After Searching Business Names in Nebraska

After you’ve come up with a name and searched it, you’re probably feeling like you’ve done a lot of legwork. You’d hate for that hard work to go to waste, right? Here are some steps you can take to protect your Nebraska business name and make the most of it. 

Reserve your Nebraska business name (optional)

If you’ve picked the perfect business name but you’re not quite ready to file your business formation paperwork, Nebraska allows you to reserve a business name.

You can get a Nebraska name reservation by filing an Application for Reservation form that matches your business type. For example, LLCs would file the Application for Reservation of Limited Liability Company Name form. There is currently a $30 filing fee for reserving a name.

After your paperwork is filed and approved, your name reservation will be valid for 120 days. This step is optional, and you should only pursue it if you’ve picked a name but aren’t ready to file your formation paperwork yet.

Form an LLC or register your business

One of the best ways to protect your business name is to register your business. After you register a business under your chosen name, no one else in Nebraska will be able to register their own company with the same name. 

Registering a Nebraska business is an important legal process. Learn more about starting a Nebraska LLC. 

Get a domain name that matches

You want it to be easy for your customers to find your business website. That means you need a domain name that matches your business name as closely as possible. A matching domain will help your brand maintain consistency both in person and online.

If you’re struggling to come up with a domain name (or the one that matches your name is already taken), try using a domain name generator. A generator can help you come up with a domain that matches your brand image. 

Set up your business online

Today, you can’t run a business without a good digital footprint. A good business website is a decent starting point. But don’t stop there; set up social media accounts like a Facebook page, a TikTok profile, and an Instagram account. Make sure your business name is included on each account so your brand is consistent across your online presence.

Last but not least, set up a Google Business Profile for your business (or claim it if it already exists). This profile will help you direct customers to your website or your store location. Plus, it’ll help you respond to customer reviews and build a good brand reputation in the Cornhusker State.

Trademark your business name (optional)

If you want the most robust protections for your business name, you could pursue trademark registration. Trademarks can be registered at the state or federal level (with federal protections being the strongest). 

Getting a trademark can be pretty complicated and time-consuming. If you go this route, it’s highly recommended to work with a trademark attorney.