Michigan LLC name search

What a Michigan LLC name must include

Michigan accepts these endings for a limited liability company:

• Limited Liability Company
• L.L.C.
• L.C.

Corporate words are off limits in a Michigan LLC name: “corporation”, “incorporated”, “corp.” and “inc.” can't appear, and neither can a word implying a purpose the articles don't allow (MCL 450.4204). The endings work with or without punctuation, so “LLC” and “L.L.C.” are both fine, and a low-profit LLC can use “L.3.C.”.

How Michigan decides two names are the same

Michigan's statute compares an LLC's name with the names of domestic and authorized foreign LLCs in good standing (MCL 450.4204). Since that reading comes from search results rather than the statute page itself, check corporate names in the results too before you rely on a clear search.

Where the rules are written. MCL 450.4204 (Michigan Limited Liability Company Act, Act 23 of 1993).

Searching for an LLC name in Michigan

The MiBusiness Registry Portal is LARA's free entity search, and it's also where LLC filings and name reservations are made online. Michigan's state sites refused direct reading while we researched, so this page's Michigan facts come from search listings of the official pages.

Open the official Michigan entity search

Leave the ending off when you search, so every version of the name shows up, then compare each result word by word. If one matches apart from spacing, punctuation or a plural, change a real word in your name.

Holding the name: Michigan LLC name reservation

For $25 Michigan holds an LLC name for six months following the month you file. When it runs out you can file a new application and fee to reserve it again. Apply on form CSCL/CD-540 or online through the portal.

File a Michigan name reservation

Forming the LLC in Michigan

Articles of Organization (form 700) cost $50 and can be filed online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal.

File the Articles of Organization online

By February 15 every year, the LLC files a $25 annual statement; a late one costs a $50 penalty. Michigan levies no franchise tax on LLCs, and no newspaper notice is needed. When you need proof of good standing, order a Certificate of Good Standing through LARA's order system.

When the LLC trades under another name

A second trading name is registered with a Certificate of Assumed Name at LARA's Corporations Division: $25, good until December 31 of the fifth calendar year after filing, and $25 to renew. Individuals and partnerships reportedly file theirs with the county clerk, which no official page we could load confirmed.

Sources

• Frequently asked questions, michigan.gov, checked 2026-10-07
• Annual reports and annual statements, michigan.gov, checked 2026-10-07
• Name reservations (PDF), michigan.gov, checked 2026-10-07
• michigan.gov, checked 2026-10-07
• legislature.mi.gov, checked 2026-10-07

These are the official pages behind every fact above. If one of them now says something different, it's right and this page is out of date.

A few were read from search results, not the page itself, because the site refused direct requests; treat the facts they back as provisional until the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Corporations Division) confirms them.