Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Louisiana Business Filings Search tool to check if your corporation name is available.
We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in Louisiana 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.
Louisiana Corporation Name Search
The Louisiana 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 Louisiana Corporation Names
Once you know your corporation name meets Louisiana business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the Louisiana Business Filings Search tool.
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 Louisiana
Register Your Name
A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Louisiana 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 Louisiana, known as a trade 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 Louisiana for up to 120 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 online or via hard copy with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.
Louisiana Corporation Name Requirements
Key Guidelines
Louisiana has official requirements for its corporation names.
The name must include one of the following words or abbreviations (with or without punctuation): corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., co., or ltd.
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.
Louisiana also has the following restrictions for corporation names:
- The name cannot imply that the corporation is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation. It also cannot contain any words “that consist of or comprise immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter.”
- The name cannot falsely suggest that your corporation is a charity, nonprofit, or government organization.
- The name cannot include the phrase "doing business as" or any abbreviation of that phrase, such as "d/b/a".
- The name cannot include the words “casualty,” "redevelopment corporation," or "electrical cooperative."
For more information, check out the Louisiana state statute on corporation names.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other Louisiana business names. In Louisiana, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
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.
Louisiana Corporation Name Search FAQ
How do I check if a corporation 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 Louisiana 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 a Louisiana 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, Louisiana corporation names cannot:
- Imply that the corporation is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation. It also cannot contain any words “that consist of or comprise immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter.”
- Falsely suggest that your corporation is a charity, nonprofit, or government organization.
- Include the phrase "doing business as" or any abbreviation of that phrase, such as "d/b/a".
- Include the words “casualty,” "redevelopment corporation," or "electrical cooperative."
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Louisiana 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?
Louisiana corporation names must include one of the following words or abbreviations (with or without punctuation): corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., co., or ltd..
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Louisiana Corporation Name Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Louisiana?
Louisiana doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every 10 years with the Secretary of State.
Can my business name be different from my corporation 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 trade name in Louisiana.
In Louisiana, trade names for corporations are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Louisiana 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 Louisiana DBA guide.