Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register a trade name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Alabama Business Entity Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Alabama Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Alabama.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your Alabama LLC Name Is Available
Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring your business name follows state requirements and performing a domain name and state search. These are the steps you need to take to determine if your business name is available in Alabama.
1. Follow LLC Naming Rules
Before you perform an LLC name search, you need to make sure your business name follows the state’s business name requirements.
Some key guidelines for Alabama LLC names include:
- Your name must contain the words “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” or “LLC.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Alabama reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Alabama also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Any banking-related name needs a letter from the Alabama Banking Commissioner’s Office and any insurance-related name needs a letter from the Alabama Insurance Commissioner’s Office.
- Any name that includes a professional designation (e.g., engineering, attorney) requires a copy of the license of one officer/member or a letter from the governing agency allowing the use of the name without licensing.
- The name cannot include any words that indicate or imply the LLC is engaged in a business that’s not authorized by law to pursue.
For more information, check out Alabama’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Alabama, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
Words or abbreviations indicating the type of company, such as “LLC,” “Inc.,” etc., do NOT make a name distinguishable in Alabama.
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Perform a State LLC Name Search
Alabama law requires that your LLC name be distinguishable from other registered businesses in the state. Before registering your LLC, it’s crucial to ensure your chosen name is unique and not already in use. You can check your business name availability by searching the Alabama Business Entity Search online database.
3. Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name, you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name also is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
4. Reserve Your LLC Name
Alabama requires LLCs to reserve their name before they can register it.
You can file a Name Reservation Request Form for Domestic Entities online or by mail with the Alabama Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25 by mail, $27 online with a yearly subscription, and $28 online for non-subscribers. You can reserve a name for at least one year prior to formation.
Note: Online filers can reserve their name when filing their Certificate of Formation while mail-in filers must submit their name reservation at least two weeks before registration.
5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
A trademark search lets you check if another company already trademarked your chosen business name or logo. Visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website and search for potential matches. Even if your LLC name is available within your state, make sure your brand elements don’t infringe on existing trademarks.
For additional help, visit our review of the best trademark services for startups.
6. Form Your Alabama LLC
An LLC name becomes officially registered when you form your Alabama LLC by filing the Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State. The Certificate of Formation includes your LLC’s name, registered agent, business purpose, and other key details. Filing this document creates your company’s legal existence in Alabama.
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Start NowAlabama LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Alabama?
You can use the Alabama Business Entity Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in an Alabama LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Alabama LLC names cannot imply that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include certain banking-related words without permission, or use a professional designation without permission.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name Your LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Alabama requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”) in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in Alabama?
Alabama doesn’t require LLCs to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every five years with the Secretary of State.
You can renew online or by mail. The filing fee is $30.
Learn more about trade names with our Alabama DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Alabama?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or a trade name in Alabama.
In Alabama, LLC trade names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Alabama DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Alabama DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Alabama from the drop-down menu.