Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

LLC Name Search

Simplified

To select a name for your LLC, you must ensure that the name is not currently in active use by performing an LLC name search.

Cartoon woman looking for llc name search

Select Your State

LLC Name Search Articles

Cartoon woman holding Best LLC Services

Best LLC Services

Naming an LLC is part of the LLC formation process. To make the formation process easy for you, we determine the best LLC services to create your LLC.

Cartoon woman holding LLC

LLC Formation

Naming an LLC is one of the common steps to forming an LLC. Learn more about the steps to take on how to start your own LLC in your state.

Cartoon woman holding cost to form an llc sign

LLC Cost

Naming an LLC may include fees, which vary by state. Find out the costs of LLC formation, including LLC naming fees, in your state.

Choosing a name for your LLC can be tricky. The key to finding the right name is to make sure it reflects your business’s products or services. Having said that, there are many other considerations that you should keep in mind when choosing an LLC name.

You need to comply with additional rules when naming your LLC. The LLC name rules and requirements will vary and ultimately depend on the state where you conduct your business.

To do a proper name search, read our LLC Name Search guide to learn more about the LLC naming guidelines, where to conduct an LLC business name search in your state, and more.

Claim Your Domain Before It’s Gone

Powered by GoDaddy

How to Search for an LLC Name

Almost any name will work as long as it isn’t the same or similar to a name already used by another entity in your state, and as long as it complies with your state’s naming guidelines.

Below are common steps you can do to search for an LLC name in your state:

1. Follow Naming Guidelines

The LLC name rules and requirements vary and depend on the state where you conduct your business. As a general rule, LLC names must follow this format: “business name LLC.”

While each state has its own statutes and regulations that cover the naming of LLCs, here are four common guidelines you must follow:

  • You must use an LLC designator (e.g., “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company”) in your LLC’s name.
  • You can’t use a designator that could confuse your LLC with another business type (e.g., “Corp,” “Inc.,” “Nonprofit,” etc.).
  • Your LLC’s name can’t use words that could confuse it with a government agency (e.g., the FBI, Secretary of State, Real Estate Commission, Department of the Treasury, etc.).
  • You can’t use a term like “bank,” “university,” “law center,” “insurance agency” or other restricted words in your name. Securing approval to use terms like these in an LLC name generally requires your business to hold the correct charters or have members with specific licenses, such as a lawyer, doctor, or insurance producer.
  • Your name can’t be so similar to another business name that it could confuse customers.

Beyond complying with that format and confirming the availability of your LLC name in your state’s business name database, you’ll also want to choose a name that’ll reflect your business and brand when presenting yourself or your products and services to a client or investor.

A common reason that LLC applications get denied by the state is an issue with the name. If you follow the rules outlined above, you should be in the clear, but if you aren’t 100% sure, then you may want to work with an LLC formation service to ensure you get it done right the first time.

Recommended Service

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a specialized LLC formation service in order to save time and avoid potential penalties.

4.7 out of 5 starsTailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)

2. Look up LLC Name Search Availability

A business name should be unique, memorable, and easy to pronounce. It should also stand out in search engine results. Here are a few searches you should make before choosing an LLC name:

  • LLC Name Search: Your business’s name must be unique among all existing entities in the state in which you will conduct business. Each state provides business name search databases so you can check if your preferred name is still available.
  • Domain Name Search: You’ll also want to ensure your business name is available as a URL. You can register a domain name by using a domain name registry or website builder. If someone already owns the domain name you want, you can make adjustments to your name search until you find one that’s available.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by GoDaddy

Note

While you can also search a business name using social media, the search results that you pull up won’t mean that the business names are exclusive.

3. Reserve an LLC Name

Once you pick a name that meets all the LLC naming guidelines in the state where you plan to establish your new business, you can reserve it by filing the appropriate paperwork with your state. You’ll then receive confirmation from your state that your business name is available for use. The name reservation filing fee for each state varies, ranging from $10 to $75.

As part of registering an LLC name, you will encounter other LLC costs associated with forming an LLC in your state.

Though typically an optional step (except in Alabama), reserving a business name is important, even if you don’t plan to use it right away. Doing so establishes your intent to use it in the future and prevents others from acquiring it.

For example, you can reserve a business name for 60 days in California, whereas you can do so for up to 120 days in Texas. We recommend checking with your state’s filing office to confirm how long a business name reservation lasts in the state where you plan to do business. Some states offer reservation extensions, while others require you to file a new name reservation altogether when it expires.

The state department responsible for overseeing LLC formation varies by state. Massachusetts, for example, has a “Secretary of the Commonwealth” instead of a “Secretary of State.” In Alaska, you must file your LLC formation documents with the State Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

4. Apply an LLC Trade or Service Mark

Conducting a name search on the federal trademark database will provide insight on whether someone else is already using your desired business name. Once you establish if your LLC name is available to use, you can then apply to register a trade or service mark for your business.

Getting a trade or service mark (called “mark” when combined) makes your LLC name distinguishable in the records of the Secretary of State from the name of any existing business entity, name reservation, or name registration.

A trade or service mark refers to your own brand name, logos, symbols, and slogans. This way, your trade or service mark is exclusive only to you for use and is recognized in the state where you’re planning to transact business.

Note

Filing a trade or service mark is different from filing an application to register a business. If you’re working towards registering an LLC in your state, visit our LLC Formation page for more information.

Where to Search for an LLC Name

To find an existing business entity name in all 50 states, you can use your state’s search databases below to see if your chosen LLC name is available for use in your state.

StateDepartmentBusiness Name Search 
AlabamaSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search
AlaskaAlaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic DevelopmentCorporations Database
ArizonaArizona Corporations Commission eCorp Business Entity Search
ArkansasSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search
CaliforniaSecretary of StateBusiness Search
ColoradoSecretary of StateBusiness Database Search
ConnecticutSecretary of StateBusiness Records Search
DelawareDepartment of State: Division of Corporations Business Entity Search
Name Availability Search
FloridaDepartment of StateSunbiz Division of Corporations Entity Name Search
GeorgiaSecretary of StateBusiness Search
HawaiiDepartment of Commerce and Consumer AffairsBusiness Name Search
IdahoSecretary of StateBusiness Search
IllinoisSecretary of StateCorporate and LLC Search
IndianaSecretary of StateBusiness Search
IowaSecretary of StateBusiness Entities Search
KansasSecretary of StateBusiness Filing Center – Name Availability Status Search
KentuckySecretary of StateName Availability Search
LouisianaSecretary of StateBusiness Filings Search
MaineSecretary of StateCorporate Name Search
MarylandDepartment of Assessments and TaxationBusiness Entity Search
MassachusettsSecretary of the CommonwealthBusiness Entity Search
Search Name Reservations
MichiganDepartment of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsBusiness Entity Search
MinnesotaSecretary of StateBusiness Filings Search
MississippiSecretary of StateBusiness Search
MissouriSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search
MontanaSecretary of StateBusiness Search
NebraskaSecretary of StateCorporate & Business Search
NevadaSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search
New HampshireDepartment of StateBusiness Search
New JerseyDepartment of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesBusiness Entity Name Search
New MexicoSecretary of StateBusiness Search
New YorkDepartment of StateCorporation and Business Entity Database
North CarolinaSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search
North DakotaSecretary of StateArchived Business Records Search 
OhioSecretary of StateBusiness Name Search
OklahomaSecretary of StateBusiness Entities Search
OregonSecretary of StateBusiness Name Search
PennsylvaniaDepartment of State Business Entity Search
Rhode IslandSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search
South CarolinaSecretary of StateBusiness Name Search
South DakotaSecretary of StateBusiness Information Search
TennesseeSecretary of StateBusiness Name Availability Search
TexasSecretary of State or Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTaxable Entity Search
SOSDirect Name Search
UtahDivision of Corporations and Commercial CodeBusiness Name Search
VermontSecretary of StateBusiness Name Search
VirginiaState Corporation Commission Business Entity Search
WashingtonSecretary of StateCorporation Search
Washington DCDepartment of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionCorpOnline Business Search
West VirginiaSecretary of StateBusiness Organization Search
WisconsinDepartment of Financial InstitutionsCorporate Records Search
WyomingSecretary of StateBusiness Entity Search

Why You Need to Do an LLC Name Search

Doing an LLC name search helps you to make well-informed decisions on what to name your LLC. Looking up an LLC name can provide key information about a business already using your desired name, enabling you to choose another name instead. 

Having a unique, legally registered name creates credibility where it convinces people to do business with you. This ensures you don’t infringe on other businesses’ legal names or any trademarks they may hold.

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.

4.7 out of 5 starsTailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)

LLC Name Search FAQ

How do I check if my chosen LLC name already exists?

To see if your desired LLC name exists, check your home state’s and other states’ business name search records and directories. Begin your search by looking at the website for the state where you will transact your business. Then, search for a domain name for your business using a domain registry, like GoDaddy.

Can I get my LLC name for free?

No. There are filing fee requirements to reserve or register an LLC business name. These fees vary by state.

Can I change my LLC name?

Yes. You can file name change amendments following the applicable provisions in your state.

Can I name my LLC anything?

No. Your LLC name must be unique and must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (i.e., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”). In addition, your LLC name can’t include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (e.g., “FBI,” “Treasury,” “State Department,” etc.). For more on LLC naming guidelines, check out our Naming an LLC page.

Can two LLCs have the same name?

Yes. However, certain requirements must be met to avoid trademark infringement and to distinguish which company is the rightful owner of the business name.

Should you put LLC in your logo?

It depends. You don’t need to put the “LLC” designator in your logo for branding or marketing purposes. You may, however, want to place the LLC designator somewhere near your logo to show your business is a registered legal entity. The main requirement for a logo is that it doesn’t infringe on the rights of any other individual or business.