Before you form an LLC, register an assumed name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Indiana Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Indiana Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Indiana.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).
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Indiana LLC Name Search
The Indiana 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 Indiana Business 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 Indiana LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA in Indiana (also known as an assumed name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Indiana 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 with the Indiana Secretary of State. The filing fee is $10.
Indiana Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Indiana LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Indiana 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.
Indiana also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- You must have approval from the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions to use the word “bank” (or any variation) in your LLC’s name.
For more information, check out Indiana’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Indiana, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
In Indiana, the following differences make a name distinguishable:
- Different letters, numerals, or words.
- Different order of letters or numerals
- Different order of roots of the words
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Indiana:
- Differences in business identifiers (e.g., LLC, Corp., etc.)
- Use of articles (e.g., a, the)
- Differences in punctuation
- Differences in capitalization
- Plurals or possessives
- Hyphenation or combined words
- Use of "and" vs. "&"
- Use of Arabic, Roman, or spelled-out numbers
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.
Indiana LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Indiana?
You can use the Indiana Business 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 an Indiana 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, Indiana LLC names cannot imply that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include the words “lotto” or “lottery,” or imply that the LLC was created by or for the benefit of war veterans or their families.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Indiana 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. Indiana 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 Indiana Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Indiana?
Indiana doesn't require LLCs to renew their name.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Indiana?
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 an assumed name in Indiana.
In Indiana, LLC assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about assumed names with our Indiana 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 Indiana DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Indiana from the dropdown menu.
