Arizona LLC Name Search

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

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

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

How to Search for an Arizona LLC Name

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

Step 1: Follow the Arizona LLC Naming Guidelines

Before you do anything else, we suggest ensuring your business name meets the guidelines required in the state of Arizona, before undertaking a business name search.

The most important step when starting an LLC in Arizona is choosing a company name. While this may seem like the most simple step, it can be a minefield with ongoing consequences if you don’t follow the criteria upfront. The name must comply with naming requirements for Arizona and potential clients must find it easy to search for.

These are the naming guidelines you should be following in Arizona:

• Your company name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
• The company name should not include words that might be easily confused with government agency names such as “Treasury,” “FBI,” “State Department,” or similar terms. Any term that misrepresents your LLC as belonging to some form of government should be avoided entirely.
• There are certain restricted words which may require additional licensing, permission, or paperwork to legally use within your LLC. Examples of these include words like “Attorney,” “Bank,” or “University.”

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.

Step 2: Look Up Arizona LLC Name Search Availability

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

• LLC Name Search: Search the Arizona Taxable Entity Search 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.

Step 3: Reserve Your Arizona LLC Name

All questions about the naming of an LLC and related requests must be directed to Arizona’s Corporation Commission. In Arizona, all foreign and domestic LLCs must get a Certificate of Name Reservation to ensure the chosen name is available before filing any formation documents. The certificate can be obtained by mail or online.

A filing fee will be payable when you reserve your business name. Filing can either be done by mail or online. Your application will be addressed faster. Paper application by mail is cheaper but will take longer.

Using an Arizona DBA for Your LLC

Trade names or DBAs are not registered in Arizona. If you would like to register a trade name or DBA, this can be done at the County Recorder’s office. Trade names can also be registered with the Arizona Secretary of State.

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 Arizona LLC Trade or Service Mark

Registering a trademark means that a slogan or logo shown on goods or services is placed on public record. Trademarks are often also called service marks. These are not mandatory to file in Arizona, but it is considered good business practice.

Filing trademarks or service marks in Arizona will only apply to this state. You may also want to file nationwide. If so, you can consult the US Patent and Trademark Office or the State Library of Arizona, which is a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records.

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

Arizona Secretary of State Contact Information 

Mailing Address
1700 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Physical Address: Phoenix
Business Services
State Capitol, Executive Tower
1700 W. Washington St.
Suite 220
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Physical Address: Tucson
Business Services
State of Arizona Regional Complex
400 W. Congress St.
First Floor, Suite 141
Tucson, AZ 85701

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

Website: https://www.azcc.gov/contact

Phone: (602) 542-6187