Before you form an LLC, register a trade name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Louisiana Business Filings Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Louisiana Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Louisiana.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).
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Louisiana LLC Name Search
The Louisiana Secretary of State 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 Louisiana Business Filings Search 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.
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 Louisiana LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA in Louisiana (also known as a trade name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Louisiana 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 by mail with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Louisiana Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Louisiana LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or the abbreviations LLC or LC.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Louisiana reserved names.
- Names of low-profit limited liability companies must have the words "low-profit limited liability company," the abbreviation "L3C," or the abbreviation "l3c."
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.
Louisiana also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name cannot imply that the LLC is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Organization.
- You must have approval to include certain words:
- You must have approval from the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board to include the words "engineer," "engineering," "surveyor," "surveying," (or any variations).
- You must have approval from the Louisiana Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions to include any of the following words: bank, banker, banking, savings, safe deposit, trust, trustee, building and loan, homestead, or credit union.
- Your name cannot include the word “insurance” unless the LLC is an independent insurance agency or brokerage firm.
- Your name cannot contain the phrase "doing business as" or the abbreviation "d/b/a".
For more information, check out Louisiana’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Louisiana, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
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.
Louisiana LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Louisiana?
You can use the Louisiana Business Filings Search 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 a Louisiana 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.
Louisiana also prohibits LLCs from having the following words in their names without prior state approval: engineer, engineering, surveyor, surveying, bank, banker, banking, savings, safe deposit, trust, trustee, building and loan, homestead, credit union, insurance, DBA.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Louisiana 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. Louisiana 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 Louisiana Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not require LLCs to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every ten years.
You can renew online or by mail. The filing fee is $75.
Learn more about trade names with our Louisiana DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
In Louisiana, LLC trade names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Louisiana 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 Louisiana DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Louisiana from the dropdown menu.
