LLC Name Search

Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps. Here is an overview of what you need to do:

To see if your preferred LLC name is available, you'll need to search your state business entity database.

Find your state’s LLC name search guide below:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

To perform an LLC name search in your state, visit your Secretary of State's website (or other applicable department). Under the department’s “Business Services” section, look for an option to search active and inactive names.

Type in your desired LLC name and hit search. Try different variations like abbreviations, LLC vs. Ltd, or slight name changes. For example, search for "Blue Sky LLC," "BlueSky LLC," "Blue Skies LLC," etc.

Review all results with your search criteria carefully – is your name already taken? Are there similar names that could cause confusion? Print or save your search results for reference.

If your preferred name appears to be available, double-check on a local level as well. Some states require registering an LLC name at the county or city level, too.

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.

What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.

Naming requirements vary for each state, but some of the most common ones for limited liability companies include the following:

• The entity name must include “limited liability company” or abbreviations like “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
• Avoid restricted words such as “bank,” “insurance,” and “trust” unless you have special permissions.
• The name cannot use words that imply it's a governmental agency (e.g., “federal” or “state department”).
• It should be distinguishable and not deceptively similar to other registered names. Entity identifiers like inc. (for corporations) or LP (for limited partnerships) typically do not make a name distinguishable.

An LLC name becomes officially registered when you complete your LLC formation by filing the Articles of Organization in the state you conduct business in (sometimes known as a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization).

The Articles of Organization include your LLC's name, registered agent, business purpose, and other key details. Filing these documents creates your company's legal existence.

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

Registering a DBA (doing business as) name is a separate process that requires filing with either your state, county, or city of business.

Most states allow you to reserve your LLC name before you register it. Your name reservation can last anywhere from 30 days to 12 months. 

To reserve an LLC name, you'll need to file a simple name reservation application with your state. This requires providing your proposed name, contact information, duration for the reservation, and a small filing fee (usually $10-25).

Once approved, you'll receive confirmation that your name is reserved. Make sure to file your Articles of Organization before the reservation expires.

To learn how to file for a business name reservation, check out our LLC Name Search state guides.

A trademark search lets you check if your business name or logo is already trademarked. Head to the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) online system and search for potential matches. Even if your state LLC name is available, make sure your brand elements don't infringe on existing trademarks.