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Last Updated on Oct 25, 2026

Nevada Secretary of State Business Search (2026): How to Check Name Availability

Nevada’s business search has moved. The Secretary of State’s Project ORION replaced the old SilverFlume and esos.nv.gov tools in 2026, so a Nevada Secretary of State business search now starts at the ORION business portal. Search the name you want and check whether any LLC, corporation or other entity on file already uses it; old SilverFlume and entity search links now forward to ORION.

If no record is the same apart from the ending, the name is likely available. A 90-day name reservation costs $25. Nevada DBAs, called fictitious firm names, are filed with the county clerk, not the state.

Updated October 2026.

Here are our top picks for forming your LLC once your name is clear in Nevada, ranked. Mainstay Filing comes first for its flat yearly price; the two Nevada registered agent services below it are options if you only need an agent.

RankProviderBest forPriceWhat’s included
1Mainstay FilingForming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included$199/year + state fee at costLLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing
2Nevada Registered Agent.coNevada registered agent service only$99/year$99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online
3Registered Agent NV.orgNevada registered agent service only$99/yearin-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online

1. Mainstay Filing

Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Nevada. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.

2. Nevada Registered Agent.co

Nevada Registered Agent.co is a Nevada registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.

3. Registered Agent NV.org

Registered Agent NV.org is a Nevada registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.

ItemNevada details (as of October 2026)
Filing officeNevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division
Search toolORION business portal (replaced SilverFlume in 2026)
LLC formation$75 Articles of Organization + $150 Initial List + $200 State Business License = $425
Name reservation$25; 90 days
DBA (fictitious firm name)County clerk in each county where you do business; for example Clark County and Washoe County charge $25
Annual filings (LLC)$150 Annual List + $200 State Business License = $350, due by the last day of the anniversary month
State taxesNo corporate or personal income tax; Commerce Tax applies only above $4 million in Nevada gross revenue

Fee details come from the Secretary of State and Nevada law. Mainstay Filing’s Nevada LLC cost guide shows the full formation and renewal cost.

1. Open the ORION portal

Go to the ORION public portal. ORION’s second phase, which fully replaced SilverFlume and added business licensing features, launched in summer 2026 (Secretary of State). Bookmarks to esos.nv.gov or nvsilverflume.gov now redirect there.

2. Search the core words

Search for the distinctive part of the name without LLC or Inc. “High Desert Solar” will surface “High Desert Solar LLC,” “High Desert Solar Inc.” and similar records.

3. Compare against the distinguishability rule

Under NRS 86.171, an LLC name must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State’s records from every other entity on file and every reserved name. The Secretary of State applies detailed guidance in NAC 86.010 when comparing names.

4. Reserve or file

If the name is clear, reserve it or file your Articles of Organization. According to the state’s business portal guidance, online reservations are automatically checked for uniqueness when you apply.

If your first choice is taken, Namechk’s business name generator can help you find another.

  • LLC: include “Limited-Liability Company,” “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company” or “Limited,” or Ltd., L.L.C., L.C., LLC or LC. “Company” may be abbreviated “Co.” (NRS 86.171; Articles instructions).
  • Distinguishable: the name must be distinguishable from all entities formed, registered or qualified with the Secretary of State and from reserved names. If it isn’t, the Secretary of State returns the filing.
  • Reserved names are protected: during a reservation, no one else can use the name without the reserving person’s written, acknowledged consent.
  • Consent: the Secretary of State offers a Name Consent or Release form for one entity to grant use of a similar name to another.
  • Fee: $25 (name reservation forms).
  • Term: 90 days (NRS chapter 86).
  • Online: reservations filed online are checked for uniqueness automatically.
  • Re-reserving: once the 90 days are up, others can use the name, and you have to wait until the reservation expires before reserving the same name again.
  • Releasing: you can release a reserved name to someone else with the Name Consent or Release form.

Because Nevada’s formation packet runs $425, a $25 reservation can be worth it if you’ve settled on a name but need time to arrange financing or partners. Keep in mind that it protects the name only on the state’s records, not as a trademark or domain.

The ORION entity search doesn’t show federal trademarks. Search the USPTO trademark database. Nevada’s Commercial Recordings Division also registers state trade names, trademarks and service marks, which are separate from entity names.

Then check the web. Namechk shows domain and social media handle availability in one search, and the domain name generator offers alternatives.

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Nevada requires anyone doing business under a name that doesn’t show the owners’ real names to file a certificate of fictitious firm name with the county clerk of each county where they do business (NRS 602.010).

CountyNew filingRenewalNotes
Clark County (Las Vegas)$25$25Termination $20
Washoe County (Reno)$25$25Expires after 5 years; DBA name search

Other counties set their own fees and procedures, so contact the clerk where your business is located. Because DBAs are recorded by county, the ORION search won’t show them; check the county’s records too.

Once your name is clear, our Nevada LLC guide walks through every filing.

  1. File the formation packet in ORION: Articles of Organization ($75), the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members ($150) and the State Business License ($200), for $425 in total.
  2. Appoint a registered agent with a physical Nevada address. Mainstay Filing includes registered agent service in its formation package (Nevada costs); see our Nevada registered agent guide for the rules.
  3. Get an EIN from the IRS (free).
  4. Renew every year by the last day of your anniversary month: $150 for the Annual List and $200 for the State Business License. Late penalties are $75 for the list and $100 for the license. Our Nevada start-a-business guide covers local licenses.

What replaced SilverFlume in Nevada?

ORION, the Nevada Secretary of State’s new business portal. Its first phase launched in December 2025 for UCC filings, and phase two, launched in summer 2026, fully replaced SilverFlume with business licensing and other features. Old esos.nv.gov entity search and nvsilverflume.gov links now redirect to the ORION public portal.

How much does it cost to reserve a business name in Nevada?

A Nevada name reservation costs $25 and holds the name for 90 days. Online reservations are automatically checked for uniqueness. After 90 days the name becomes available to others, and you must wait until the reservation expires before reserving the same name again. A reserved name can be released to someone else with a consent form.

Where do I file a DBA in Nevada?

With the county clerk, not the Secretary of State. Nevada requires a certificate of fictitious firm name in each county where you do business. Clark County and Washoe County each charge $25 to file and $25 to renew, and Washoe registrations expire after five years. Other counties set their own fees.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Nevada?

Forming a Nevada LLC costs $425 at minimum: $75 for the Articles of Organization, $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members, and $200 for the State Business License. Each year after that, the LLC pays $350 for its Annual List and business license renewal, due by the last day of its anniversary month.

What makes an LLC name acceptable in Nevada?

It must include an LLC designator such as Limited-Liability Company, Limited Company, Limited, LLC, L.L.C., LC or Ltd., and it must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State’s records from every other entity and reserved name. A name that isn’t distinguishable is returned. A consent form can allow use of a similar name.

Does Nevada have a business tax?

Nevada has no corporate income tax, franchise tax or personal income tax. Its Commerce Tax, administered by the Department of Taxation, applies only to businesses with more than $4 million in Nevada gross revenue in a fiscal year ending June 30, with the return due 45 days after year-end. Most new LLCs pay only the Secretary of State’s list and license fees.

Does a Nevada business search include DBAs and trademarks?

No. The ORION entity search covers entities on file with the Secretary of State. DBAs are recorded by county clerks, so search county records, such as Washoe County’s DBA search. Federal trademarks are only in the USPTO database. Check domains and social handles before committing to a name.

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