Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Illinois corporation and LLC search tool to check if your corporation name is available.
We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in Illinois in this guide.
Recommended: You’ll want to secure your website domain name as soon as possible. Check GoDaddy to make sure it’s available.
Illinois Corporation Name Search
The Illinois Secretary of State requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state. So, you’ll want to search and make sure no other businesses in the state are already using your name.
It is also useful to see if your corporation name is available as a web domain (URL).
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How to Search Available Illinois Corporation Names
You can search for a corporation name in Illinois via:
- Online database
- Web form request
- Phone
Even if the online database shows that your name is available, we recommend calling the Secretary of State or filling out the Corporate Name Availability Inquiry Form for preliminary name approval.
Online Database
Once you know your corporation name meets Illinois business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the Illinois corporation and LLC search tool.
Web Form Request
You can fill out the Corporate Name Availability Inquiry Form for a preliminary name availability screening.
Phone
You can call the Illinois Secretary of State at (217) 782-9521 for a preliminary name availability screening.
Want to learn more about corporations? Check out our What Is a Corporation guide to get started.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When deciding on a name for your corporation, you should make sure that a similar or exact domain name is available. A matching URL will help potential customers find your corporation faster.
How to Register a Corporation Name in Illinois
Register Your Name
A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Illinois Articles of Incorporation. You can hire a professional service to form a corporation for you or start a corporation yourself.
Ready to register your corporation name? Use our Form a Corporation guide to get started.
If you want to register a DBA in Illinois, known as an assumed name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in Illinois for up to 90 days before you register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you are ready to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed by mail with the Illinois Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.
Illinois Corporation Name Requirements
Key Guidelines
Illinois has official requirements for its corporation names.
The name must contain the word "corporation", "company", "incorporated," or "limited" or an abbreviation of one of those words.
If the corporation is is organized to accept and execute trusts it must contain the word "trust," if it is organized as a pawners' society it must contain the word "pawners," and if it is organized as a cooperative association for pecuniary profit it must contain the word "cooperative."
There are also restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” that you cannot use in order to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Illinois corporation names also cannot include any words that indicate the corporation is in the business of banking, insurance, or corporate fiduciary without authorization from the state Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate.
For more information, check out the Illinois state statute on corporation names.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other Illinois business names. In Illinois, 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 Illinois:
- Business entity identifiers such as "Corp.", "LLC" or "Company"
- Articles
- Conjunctions
- Contractions
- Abbreviations
- Different tenses or number of the same word
If your corporation name isn’t distinguishable, your Articles of Incorporation filing will likely be rejected.
What if my corporation name is already taken? Our AI-powered corporation name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
For a list of brainstorming tips, check out our guide to naming your business.
Illinois Corporation Name Search FAQ
How do I check if a corporation name is taken in Illinois?
You can use the Illinois corporation and LLC search tool to see if your business name is available.
You can also call the Illinois Secretary of State at (217) 782-9521 or fill out the Corporate Name Availability Inquiry Form for a preliminary name availability screening.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the Illinois Corporation Name Search section.
Should I name my corporation after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming a corporation after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting a corporation is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered business name generator.
What words can’t be used in an Illinois corporation 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, Illinois corporation names cannot include any words that indicate the corporation is in the business of banking, insurance, or corporate fiduciary without authorization from the state Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Illinois Corporation Name Requirements section.
Should I use a business name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your corporation, a corporation name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
Do I have to include ‘corporation’ in my name?
Illinois corporation names must contain the word "corporation", "company", "incorporated," or "limited" or an abbreviation of one of those words.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Illinois Corporation Name Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Illinois?
Illinois doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but assumed names must be renewed every five years with the Secretary of State.
Can my business name be different from my corporation name in Illinois?
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 assumed name in Illinois.
In Illinois, assumed names for corporations are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about assumed names with our Illinois DBA guide.
Does my corporation need a DBA name?
Your corporation doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more with our Illinois DBA guide.