Before registering an LLC, a name will have to be searched to see if it is available. Every LLC has to have a name that no other registered businesses in the state are using.
Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes
Choosing a unique and available business name is a crucial first step in forming an LLC. Before you file your LLC paperwork, it’s essential to verify that your desired name is not already in use by another business in your state. If you submit your LLC paperwork to the state with a name that’s already claimed, your entire filing will be rejected.
Most states also allow for the reservation of a name before filing the LLC paperwork for a small fee. Before paying to reserve a business name, check to see if the business name is available first.
Below are links to pages explaining how to search each state’s business entity database so that you can conduct your own free LLC name search.
Learn how to properly search business name availability for a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation in each state through their business name database. We can help you determine if an LLC name is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click on your state below to be taken to a page that will explain in detail how to conduct a business name search there:
Be sure to check your Secretary of State’s website for your LLC’s entity name availability before filing. In most states, the law says that the entity name cannot be identical or “confusingly similar” to the name of any other LLC, limited partnership, or corporation in your state. Nothing is more frustrating than filling out all your limited liability company formation paperwork and paying an attorney or LLC service, only to have your filing rejected because another company has already claimed your desired name.
If you’ve narrowed down your search for a business name, also check to see if the domain name is available. You can do this with our domain name checker. Then, our domain name service can help you register it.
Last, before settling on a name, check to make sure it hasn’t already been trademarked at the state or federal levels. State trademarks apply only within the borders of a state, but they’re easier and less expensive to get than a federal trademark, which gives you protection throughout the U.S.
Most state websites have a search engine for looking up existing trademarks in their state. To check for federal trademarks, go to the trademark search engine on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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