Do you have the perfect name idea for a new business entity in the state of Arkansas, but you’re not quite ready to form your company?
Arkansas allows you to reserve a business name until you’re prepared for the business formation process, but how does the reservation process work and how long will the state reserve the name for you? In this guide, we’ll run down all the important details of reserving a business name in Arkansas.
Rocket Tip: If you’d rather officially incorporate in Arkansas rather than file the extra paperwork to register a business name, there are many good incorporation services that can do it for you.
How to Reserve a Business Name in Arkansas
The first step is to determine if your desired business name is even available in Arkansas to begin with. In order to search business names in Arkansas, simply use the business entity search tool provided by the Secretary of State here. Once you’ve determined the availability of your desired name, you can begin the process of reserving it with the state.
In Arkansas, you can reserve a business name online or by mail. In either case, you will need to file the Application for Reservation of Entity Name with the Arkansas Secretary of State. This form requires the following information: Business and Commercial Service Division 1401 W. Capitol, Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201
If you’re filing by mail, you will need to write a check for $25 ($22.50 if filed online) made payable to the “Secretary of State,” and then mail the check and your completed reservation form to the following address:
How Long Is My Business Name Reserved For?
Once you submit your name reservation form, the state of Arkansas will reserve your business name for a period of 120 days. If you’re still not ready to form your business entity at the end of that 120-day period, you may submit a renewal request for an additional 120 days.
Conclusion
Just because you aren’t ready to form your Arkansas business entity doesn’t mean you can’t lock down your desired business name.
If the name you want is available today, there’s no reason to wait until you form your business to reserve it for your exclusive use. The required form is easily filled out with your basic information, and the filing fee is quite affordable, so you should reserve your name today.