Alaska Business Name Search


Before you form an LLC, register a business name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Alaska Corporations Database tool to see if your name is unique.

In our Alaska Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Alaska.

Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).

SKIP AHEAD:

Complete an Alaska Corporations Database Search

Complete a Domain Name Search

Register Your Business Name

A laptop with a search engine open that says "LLC Name Search"

Alaska LLC Name Search

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state.

It's also important to search for a matching domain name (URL).

How to Search Available LLC Names

You can check your business name availability by searching the Alaska Corporations Database online database.

Recommended: If you don’t have a business name yet or find that yours is taken, use our LLC Name Generator.

How to Check Available Domain Names

When choosing a business name you'll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name 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.

Find a Domain Now

How to Register Your Business Name

Register Your Name

An LLC name is officially registered when you file your LLC application documents and form an LLC.

Ready to register your LLC name? Use our Alaska LLC guide to get started.

Registering a DBA in Alaska (also known as a business name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

Reserve Your Name

You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Alaska for up to 120 days before you officially register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself. 

Name reservations can be filed online or via hard copy with the Alaska Department of Commerce. The filing fee is $25. You can also renew your name reservation up to two times.

Alaska Naming Requirements

Some key guidelines for Alaska LLC names include:

  • Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.” “Limited” can be abbreviated to “Ltd.,” and “Company” can be abbreviated to “Co.”
  • Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Alaska 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.

Alaska also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

  • The name may not contain a word or phrase that indicates or implies that the LC is organized for a purpose other than the one contained in its Articles of Organization.
  • The name of a city, borough, or village may be used in an LLC’s name; however, the name may not contain the word “city,” “borough,” or “village” or otherwise imply that the company is a municipality.
  • The name may not contain a word with professional licensing restrictions, such as “Engineer,” unless the LLC has the appropriate professional license.
  • Entity names that mislead an LLC’s purposes are not allowed.

For more information, check out Alaska’s official state statutes.

Distinguishability

It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Alaska, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.

The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Alaska:

  • Use of entity identifiers (e.g., LLC, Inc., LP, Ltd., etc.)
  • Differences in punctuation, special characters, or capitalization
  • Differences in spacing (e.g., Sample Company LLC vs. SampleCompany LLC)
  • The presence or absence of an article, preposition, or conjunction, or a symbol for that word (e.g., “an,” “to,” “and,” etc.)

Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in your formation filing being rejected.

Is your name already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will generate thousands of new ideas.

Alaska LLC Name Search FAQ

How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Alaska?

You can use the Alaska Corporations Database tool to see if your business name is available.

Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.

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 Alaska 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, Alaska LLC names cannot imply that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include professional designations without permission, or use language that is misleading.

Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Alaska Naming Requirements section.

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 an LLC guide.

Do I have to include LLC in my name?

Yes. Alaska requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.

Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Alaska Naming Requirements section.

Do I need to renew my business name in Alaska?

Alaska doesn't require LLCs to renew their legal name, but business names must be renewed by December 31 of the fifth year after registration and every five years after that with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

You can renew via hard copy. The filing fee is $25.

Learn more about business names with our Alaska DBA guide.

Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Alaska?

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 business name in Alaska. 

In Alaska, LLC business names are filed with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

Learn more about business names with our Alaska 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 Alaska DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Alaska from the dropdown menu.