How to Check for LLC Name Availability
As an intending business owner looking forward to incorporating an LLC within the US, it is important to check the name availability. Doing this is beneficial as it helps you avoid delays during your LLC registration process and prevents you from any legal consequences.
Beyond that, it is also crucial to understand the regulations guiding name selection before going through your LLC name availability check. This guide therefore outlined all the steps to follow in checking your LLC name availability and more.
What is an LLC and LLC Name?
An LLC is a business structure that is recognized as a separate entity distinct from that of its members or owners. An LLC, therefore, has its unique legal identity and as such could enter into a contract, sue and sue in its name.
Members in an LLC have a limited liability, meaning that they are covered whenever the company enters into debts or liability and as such, shareholder's properties or assets are protected from such liabilities.
The business structure is often regarded as a hybrid structure since it shares the characteristics of both a corporation and a partnership or sole proprietorship. LLC can be formed by just an individual and with that it is regarded as a single-member LLC and also it could be formed with multiple members.
LLC name, on the other hand, is a unique business name that is required for every LLC business structure intending to incorporate within the US. Without this name, a business cannot be registered successfully and as such, it must be provided during the company formation process.
How to Check for an LLC Name Availability
Before deciding on registering your LLC name, it is vital to check if the name is available and hasn’t been used by another business. By doing so, you would be able to avoid delays and ensure that you have a hassle-free documentation process.
To get started, you would need to check with your LLC name availability with your state secretary of state's website.
Check the State Secretary of state website
You would need to go through your state's secretary of state's website to check for your LLC name availability. While some states allow you to do the search freely, others charge a few amounts. Once you get to your state website, look out for the name search space and type in your LLC name.
Beyond that, many states would allow you to filter search by business structure and identification number. Since different states also have their varying websites, you could expect that their name search steps and procedure could vary a bit.
Apart from using the secretary of state website, you can also maximize the below points to check if your LLC name is available.
- By checking through the US Patent and Trade Office website, you would be able to know the already existing registered trademarks within the US. Once you are on their website, you should input your LLC name in the company name search field. With this, you will be able to know if the name already has been registered as a trademark.
- You should also consider doing a DBA search. DBA simply means Doing Business As. Many businesses around use a DBA name mainly for advertisement or as a business name alias. In most cases, this name isn't required to be registered and as such could be quite tricky to search for them. However, some states do DBA registration and so you could utilize the state office tools for the search.
- If you intend to expand your business beyond your state or the US in the future, then you could simply do some Google research to see if there are existing businesses, products or services using the same name. With that you will be able to ensure that your name isn’t only unique within your state or US but also globally.
- Since you would also be maximizing the use of social media for your business visibility, awareness and marketing, you would also want to ensure that the LLC name is unique in the online space. You should check social media handles like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, etc.
Checking for LLC Website Name Registration
Once you can verify that your LLC name is available through your secretary of state website, then you should go ahead and register the business name.
Do not forget that every other intending start-up is also on the lookout for name availability and you could lose your desired name to them if you don’t register the business name fast.
But before going through the registration process, you must check for the domain name availability. Almost every business today, whether small or large, has a unique website used for showcasing, promoting, ensuring brand visibility, marketing the company’s product and services and so on and as such you would need a website for your LLC.
By checking through websites of domain and hosting companies like GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Hostinger, you will be able to know if the name is available or not. It is much better if your business name goes in line with your domain name as you wouldn’t want to cause confusion among customers and the public in general.
Rules and Regulations Guiding LLC Name Selection
While checking your LLC name availability, you should bear in mind that the name chosen must meet up with the State's naming rules and regulations. Even if the name selected is available, that is, it hasn’t been used by any other business but it doesn’t meet up with the rules guiding choosing a name, then it could be difficult to get the name registered. With that, we will be outlining the guidelines to follow when selecting your LLC name.
1. The name must not be too similar to an existing name
Apart from checking if the LLC name doesn’t already exist, which you would be able to detect when checking for the name availability, you would also want to be sure that the name isn’t too similar with other businesses. As such your LLC name must be easily distinguishable from every other business registered within your state.
Importantly, this would help you prevent confusing the public. On the other hand, you can register your LLC with the name of a dissolved business. However, you should also be sure that the company doesn’t have a bad reputation, criminal record or offence or any other negative impression that could hinder your business growth and success.
2. Do not use Sensitive words
Some words are also considered sensitive in the US naming system and are thus restricted for businesses. While some words and expressions are overly prohibited from being used as a company name, others are restricted because they show or indicate a connection with a government body or official. So any name that relates or shows familiarity with an authority, governmental organisation and so on should be avoided.
If on the other hand, you must use any of the sensitive names, then you would need extra documentation to prevent your company name from being rejected.
3. Do not use offensive words
You should also avoid names that are offensive or abusive in meaning. Your selected name must not contain any word related to any criminal act, it shouldn’t connote a negative meaning, act or abuse when translated to other languages.
Other LLC Name Selection Tips to Note
Apart from following the State's company naming rules, the following tips would help you choose the best LLC name that suits your business.
4. It should be Simple
Your LLC name should be as simple as possible. Using ambiguous or complicated names makes it difficult for the public to remember your business name. And even when they remember, it could be difficult for them to spell it out and pronounce it.
With this, it could be a challenge for a first-time customer to easily locate your website online or even make recommendations when they can barely pronounce or spell your business name.
You should also avoid the use of unnecessary punctuation marks in your business name as your audience could easily forget the location or place of the marks, which could make it difficult for them to search for you online.
5. It should be meaningful
It should also, in some way, relate or connote a meaning that is related to your business nature. You should consider using words that in some way describe what your business does.
Apart from the fact that your audience will be able to easily recall your company name from this, it would also help your business gain more visibility when people search for services or products related to your brands online.
One way to be sure if your business name is descriptive and meaningful to your business nature is to ask for people’s feedback and what they feel your business does on hearing the company name.
6.. Avoid limiting your brand
While your LLC name could be descriptive, that is, it could provide a clue to what you do, you should avoid limiting your brand to a particular product. If you wish to expand your products or services to include other things in the future, then your company name shouldn’t be restricted to one kind of product.
Apart from that, you should avoid limiting your brand to a particular location. If you wish to extend your business beyond your locale or the US in the future, then you should consider this right from now.
7. It should be a professional
Your LLC name should also be professional in nature and should be a name you would be proud to live with. You should avoid using names that are associated with items or products in trend or vogue. And since this name will also appear in most of your business documents, it should be appealing and at the same time professional.
8. Utilize the use of name finders
There are so many software and websites you can utilize to generate your LLC name. By inserting a major keyword relating to your business, you would be able to generate several names from which you can choose.
Once you have a list of the names, you could ask a second party for their opinion about the name. This person can be an expert or a trusted person and they should give their impartial view about the name.
Form Your LLC with Foundeck Today
Foundeck offers a range of fast and efficient online company formation services, allowing you to register a business structure of your choice quickly from anywhere and keep it compliant. To get started, kindly contact us here.
Conclusion
Deciding on an LLC name is an important step to take before incorporating your business. No matter the nature of your business, there are several name ideas you could modify. However, before you finally choose a name, you need to check to be sure that the name is available and no other existing business in the state has used it. If you have any question on LLC name availability, kindly contact one of our experts here.
