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Ensuring that your business name is distinctive and available is a crucial initial step when establishing your Limited Liability Company (LLC).

We’ll provide you with the tools to successfully conduct your LLC name search.

Need Help? Use Northwest to verify your name and form your LLC. ($39 plus state fees).

How to Check LLC Name Availability

Follow these steps when checking LLC name availability for an LLC:

Step 1: Search LLC Names

In the majority of states, you can check for available LLC names using the business entity database provided by the Secretary of State. This database contains records of all registered entities, such as limited liability companies, corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.

Use the dropdown menu below to locate your state’s LLC name search guide

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Step 2: Check Website Domain Name Availability

Exploring domain names is an excellent way to identify a distinct business name while securing a matching website address. These elements work together seamlessly and enhance each other’s value.

Check if your business name is available as a web domain. Domain registrars or website-building platforms can help with this process. If your desired domain is unavailable, you may need to adjust your search until you find an open option.

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Step 3: Follow LLC Naming Guidelines

Naming guidelines for an LLC can differ based on the state, but a few core principles generally apply:

  1. Include an LLC Designator: Your LLC’s name must feature a clear identifier, like “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.” Avoid terms that could cause confusion with other business types, such as “Corp,” “Inc.,” or “Nonprofit.”

  2. Avoid Government-Related Terms: Refrain from using words that imply an affiliation with government bodies, such as “FBI,” “Department of Treasury,” or “State Department.”

  3. Special Permissions for Certain Terms: Words like “bank,” “university,” “insurance,” and similar terms may require extra licensing or permissions.

  4. Ensure Name Distinctiveness: Your LLC name should be unique enough to prevent confusion with other businesses registered in your state.

  5. Check Name Availability: A unique, brand-appropriate name should be checked in your state’s business records to confirm it’s available.

If you’re uncertain about the process, consider using an LLC formation service for expert guidance.

Registering Your LLC Name Across the U.S.

When establishing a Limited Liability Company (LLC), selecting and registering a distinctive business name is an essential first step. While the specific process can differ from state to state, the general guidelines tend to be quite similar.

How to Register Your LLC Name in the U.S.

When you register your LLC name, this important step is completed when filing your LLC’s formation paperwork, often called the Certificate of Organization or Articles of Organization, with the Secretary of State in your business’s state.

Most states provide detailed guidelines on their Secretary of State websites for preparing and submitting these documents, including the required filing fees. Remember that requirements, forms, and fees vary by state, so it’s crucial to consult the specific Secretary of State website for accurate information.

For a more streamlined approach, you may consider using professional LLC formation services. These services can manage your LLC name registration, assist in filing formation paperwork, and offer additional support like Registered Agent services, compliance alerts, and more.

Looking for a more convenient option?

Let Northwest ($39 + State Fees) register your business name when you form an LLC.

Reserving Your LLC Name in the U.S.

In numerous states, the Secretary of State’s office provides the option to reserve your desired business name before officially filing LLC formation documents. This option is particularly helpful if you’ve finalized your business name but aren’t yet prepared to establish your LLC.

Generally, a name can be reserved for a set period, often up to 120 days, though specifics like reservation duration and renewal options vary across states. Not all states, however, provide name reservation services. In such cases, names are generally secured on a first-come, first-served basis when the formation documents are filed.

State LLC Name Guides & Searches

Refer to the table below to access specific LLC naming guidelines by state and direct links to each state’s Secretary of State business name search database. Select your state to review its naming rules, or click on the “Business Name Search” link to check if your chosen name is available.

Alabama</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
Alaska</a > Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic DevelopmentCorporations Database</a >
Arizona</a > Corporations CommissioneCorp Business Entity Search</a >
Arkansas</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
California</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
Colorado</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Database Search</a >
Connecticut</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Records Search</a >
Delaware</a > Department of State: Division of CorporationsBusiness Entity Search Name Availability Search
Florida</a > Department of StateSunbiz Division of Corporations Entity Name Search</a >
Georgia</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
Hawaii</a > Department of Commerce and Consumer AffairsBusiness Name Search</a >
Idaho</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
Illinois</a > Secretary of StateCorporate and LLC Search</a >
Indiana</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
Iowa</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entities Search</a >
Kansas</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Filing Center – Name Availability Status Search</a >
Kentucky</a > Secretary of StateName Availability Search</a >
Louisiana</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Filings Search</a >
Maine</a > Secretary of StateCorporate Name Search</a >
Maryland</a > Department of Assessments and TaxationBusiness Entity Search</a >
Massachusetts</a > Secretary of the CommonwealthBusiness Entity Search Search Name Reservations
Michigan</a > Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsBusiness Entity Search</a >
Minnesota</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Filings Search</a >
Mississippi</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
Missouri</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
Montana</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
Nebraska</a > Secretary of StateCorporate & Business Search</a >
Nevada</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
New Hampshire</a > Department of StateBusiness Search</a >
New Jersey</a > Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise
Services		Business Entity Name Search</a >
New Mexico</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Search</a >
New York</a > Department of StateCorporation and Business Entity Database</a >
North Carolina</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
North Dakota</a > Secretary of StateArchived Business Records Search</a >
Ohio</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Name Search</a >
Oklahoma</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entities Search</a >
Oregon</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Name Search</a >
Pennsylvania</a > Department of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
Rhode Island</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >
South Carolina</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Name Search</a >
South Dakota</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Information Search</a >
Tennessee</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Name Availability Search</a >
Texas</a > Secretary of State or Comptroller of Public AccountsTaxable Entity Search</a > SOSDirect Name Search</a >
Utah</a > Division of Corporations and Commercial CodeBusiness Name Search</a >
Vermont</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Name Search</a >
Virginia</a > State Corporation CommissionBusiness Entity Search</a >
Washington</a > Secretary of StateCorporation Search</a >
Washington D.C.</a > Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionCorpOnline Business Search</a >
West Virginia</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Organization Search</a >
Wisconsin</a > Department of Financial InstitutionsCorporate Records Search</a >
Wyoming</a > Secretary of StateBusiness Entity Search</a >

*Reminder: Make sure your name is available as a website domain
and secure it with GoDaddy</a >.

FAQs

To verify if your chosen business name is available, begin by searching your state’s Secretary of State business entity database. This database lists all registered business entities, including LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. Search options vary by state, with some offering advanced filters such as entity name, identification number, industry, status (active or inactive), and filing date, among others.

When choosing a business name, it's also a smart idea to check for the availability of a corresponding domain name. A domain name that matches your business name strengthens your brand's identity online, making it easier for potential customers to find and recall. Having a consistent name across both your business and website creates a cohesive and memorable experience for your audience.

Common guidelines for naming an LLC include incorporating an identifiable LLC marker, such as “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.” It's also important to avoid using terms that could be confused with other business entities, like "Corp," "Inc.," or "Nonprofit," and refrain from using words that suggest affiliation with government agencies. Additionally, using terms such as "bank," "university," or "insurance agency" may require specific licenses or approvals. Above all, your LLC’s name must be unique and distinguishable to prevent confusion with other businesses in your state.

Our LLC Name Search page offers a detailed table that connects you to each Secretary of State's business entity name search database. It also includes state-specific guidelines for naming your LLC. By selecting your state, you can review the unique naming rules and perform a business name search to ensure your desired name is available.

To avoid potential trademark infringement and legal issues, it's advisable to conduct a comprehensive search, not just within your state's Secretary of State database, but also through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's database. This search will help ensure that your chosen LLC name or trade name does not conflict with an existing trademark.

Empowering individuals by providing accessible, actionable information is key to helping them achieve success. By equipping people with the knowledge and tools they need, we enable informed decision-making and foster personal and professional growth.

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