Alaska LLC Name Search

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

One of the first and most important steps of any new business is finding the perfect name for your Alaska LLC.

Checking the LLC name availability in Alaska is an important step in the business formation process. It ensures your business name is distinguishable from the names of other Alaska businesses so that you do not violate anyone’s intellectual property rights.

Our Alaska LLC Name Search guide will show you how you can find available business names in Alaska, and how to reserve and register your business name.

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How to Search for an Alaska LLC Name

Below are the four steps that you need to follow in order to conduct an LLC name search in Alaska.

Step 1: Follow the Alaska LLC Naming Guidelines

Your first step to creating your new LLC in Alaska is to search to determine whether the LLC name you want to use is available for use. Before searching for your LLC name in Alaska, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • You must use the abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.” at the end of your new business name. Most commonly, the abbreviation “LLC” is used
  • Your new business name cannot include the word “Incorporated,” “Corporation,” or any abbreviations thereof (“Corp.”, “Inc.”). This is because an LLC is not a corporation.
  • The LLC name you want to use must be distinguishable from other existing businesses in Alaska. This means it must be unique and different.
  • You cannot use differences in designators to create distinguishability between names. For example, you can use “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.” The word “limited” and “company” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Co.” respectively.

Selecting a name is just one of the several requirements when forming an LLC. To avoid improper or incomplete LLC formation documents, we recommend using the assistance of an LLC formation service.

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Step 2: Look Up Alaska LLC Name Search Availability

The next step is to conduct an Alaska LLC name search. Below are a few ways to do a business name search in Alaska.

  • LLC Name Search: Search the Alaska Division of Corporations: Search Corporations Database to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your business or trademark on any search engine to check businesses with similar names. This will also ensure your trademark is unique, meets the state’s requirements, and frees you from any legal hassles in the future.
  • Domain Name Search: If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name. Having a URL that matches your business name is important since this is how your potential and existing clients can find your business.

To determine the availability of your chosen URL, use a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy.

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Note: While you can use social media to search for business names to determine your desired name, the search results might not give you useful insight if your desired business name is available and exclusive for use.

Step 3: Reserve Your Alaska LLC Name

In Alaska, under Business License statutes AS 43.70 no restrictions are in place as to the number of business licenses which may have the same name.

You can obtain exclusive rights to a business name by applying for a Business Name Reservation which protects a name for 120 days. You can also apply for a Business Name Registration which gives you exclusive rights for five years. The Business Name Reservation and Registration both have a $25 non-refundable filing fee.

Using an Alaska DBA for Your LLC

In Alaska, a DBA (“doing business as”) name is known as an assumed name. In Alaska, it is quite simply to set up a DBA. You must, however, have an Alaska business license before registering a new name regardless of the type of business.

Once you have obtained a valid business license, you can go ahead and file your DBA name in Alaska. Download and submit your New Business Name Registration form by mail or online on the Department of Commerce website.

LLC owners sometimes choose to brand their businesses with a DBA. Most sole proprietors and general partnerships use a DBA to create a brand other than their surnames.

Step 4: Register an Alaska LLC Trade or Service Mark

Any word, logo, design, or combination used by a business to identify services or goods made or sold in Alaska, may be registered by means of filing an application for state trademark registration. The trade or service mark filing fee is $50.00 per class of services or goods you wish to register.

Before embarking on the registration of a mark it’s important to undertake a thorough search of your mark before filing. When searching you should include, but not limit yourself to: state of Alaska registered marks; US Patent and Trademark Office; and other state’s registrations.

Registering a trade or service mark is not the same as filing a formation document. If you’re registering a business in Alaska, check out the steps on how to form an Alaska LLC.

Recommended: More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a specialized LLC formation service in order to save time and avoid being caught up in procedural rigmarole.

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Alaska Secretary of State Contact Information 

Mailing Address
550 W 7th Ave., Suite 1970
Anchorage, AK 99501

Physical Address
Division of Administrative Services
State Office Building, 10th Floor
333 Willoughby Ave.
Juneau, AK 99801

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Emailcorporations@alaska.gov

Phone: (907) 465-2550

Alaska LLC Name Search FAQ

Why do I need to do an Alaska LLC name search?

When forming an Alaska LLC, you will be required to choose a name.. This name must be unique and available for use, and should not already be registered with the Alaska Secretary of State. To search for available LLC names, you can use the Alaska Division of Corporations: Search Corporations Database tool on the Secretary of State website. 

How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Alaska?

You can use the Alaska Division of Corporations: Search Corporations Database tool to check if your business name is available. You may also contact the Alaska Secretary of State via phone at (907) 465-2550 or email at corporations@alaska.gov for assistance on how to perform an Alaska LLC name search.

Can I renew an Alaska LLC name reservation?

Yes. You can renew a name reservation by filing a new application during the 120 day period before the expiration of that name reservation. Simply download and fill out the Alaska Business Name Renewal Form. The name reservation fee is $25.

Is the Alaska Secretary of State LLC name search reservation tool free to use?

Yes. You can use the Alaska Division of Corporations: Search Corporations Database tool to find and reserve a name for your LLC. Simply enter the desired name for your LLC. The name reservation fee is $25.

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