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

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

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

How to Search for an Arkansas LLC Name

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

Step 1: Follow the Arkansas LLC Naming Guidelines

Before choosing your new LLC name for use in the state of Arkansas there are some key guidelines you should be aware of around naming an LLC in Arkansas:

• Your chosen LLC name must include either the phrase “limited liability company,” or “limited company.” Alternatively, you may also use the abbreviations “LLC,” “L.C.,” “L.L.C.,” or “LC” in upper or lowercase letters.
• The name you choose for your LLC must be distinguishable from any other existing business in Arkansas. This includes any names already reserved in the state.
• Be sure to be aware of restricted words when choosing your name. Restricted words, such as “Treasury” or “FBI” should not be used as your LLC runs the risk of sounding like an official institution.
• In addition, the state of Arkansas also has other restrictions on LLC names. Your LLC name cannot, in any way, imply that your business is organized to carry out an unlawful purpose or one that its purpose is different from what is stated in your Certificate of Organization. Your business name should also never contain the name of any person who is not a member.
• It is vital to ensure that your name is distinguishable from any other business names. In Arkansas, a name is only distinguishable if it is substantively different from any other reserved or existing business name in the state. Should you fail to use a distinguishable name, this could result in your formation filing being rejected.

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 Arkansas LLC Name Search Availability

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

• LLC Name Search: Search the Arkansas Business 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 Arkansas LLC Name

You have the option of reserving your LLC name in Arkansas for a period up to 120 days before you will need to officially register it. This will prevent other businesses from registering the same name you’ve chosen until you are ready to register it yourself.

You can file with the Arkansas Secretary of State for your name reservation online or by mail. The filing fee is $25.

Using an Arkansas DBA for Your LLC

An Arkansas DBA (doing business as) is also referred to as an assumed name. It’s important to keep in mind that getting an Arkansas DBA registration does not protect your personal assets.

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 Arkansas LLC Trade or Service Mark

In Arkansas, the Business and Commercial Services (BCS) records and approves any word, phrase, or symbol used by individuals or companies in the state of Arkansas to identify their services or goods and help to distinguish them from the services and goods of others. You can use the Arkansas Trademark Search tool on the Secretary of State site.

Arkansas Secretary of State Contact Information 

Mailing Address

Arkansas Secretary of State
Victory Building
1401 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201

Physical Address

Victory Building
1401 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201

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

Email: corprequest@sos.arkansas.gov 

Phone: (888) 233-0325