An independent business name search service — not a government website. How our checks work

We run preliminary name checks against state business records to help you see whether a name appears to be taken before you file. Only the official Secretary of State database is authoritative, and we link to it on every result so you can verify for yourself. Some links on this site are affiliate links — see our disclosure.

Read more: How the check works

BusinessNameSearch Pre-filing name check

LLC Naming Rules by State

Every state sets its own rules for what an LLC may be called: a required ending such as "LLC," a distinguishability standard against existing records, restricted words, and an optional name reservation with its own fee and clock. The table below tracks all 51 jurisdictions; detailed pages are live for 5 states so far, with the rest being researched from official sources.

51

Jurisdictions tracked

5

Detailed pages live

$10–$40

Reservation fee range

State Reservation fee Holds for Naming statute Details
Alabama — — — In research
Alaska — — — In research
Arizona — — — In research
Arkansas — — — In research
California $10 60 days Statute Rules & search
Colorado — — — In research
Connecticut — — — In research
Delaware — — — In research
Florida $25 120 days (non-renewable) Statute Rules & search
Georgia $25 30 days Statute Rules & search
Hawaii — — — In research
Idaho — — — In research
Illinois — — — In research
Indiana — — — In research
Iowa — — — In research
Kansas — — — In research
Kentucky — — — In research
Louisiana — — — In research
Maine — — — In research
Maryland — — — In research
Massachusetts — — — In research
Michigan — — — In research
Minnesota — — — In research
Mississippi — — — In research
Missouri — — — In research
Montana — — — In research
Nebraska — — — In research
Nevada — — — In research
New Hampshire — — — In research
New Jersey — — — In research
New Mexico — — — In research
New York — — — In research
North Carolina — — — In research
North Dakota — — — In research
Ohio $39 180 days Statute Rules & search
Oklahoma — — — In research
Oregon — — — In research
Pennsylvania — — — In research
Rhode Island — — — In research
South Carolina — — — In research
South Dakota — — — In research
Tennessee — — — In research
Texas $40 120 days (renewable) Statute Rules & search
Utah — — — In research
Vermont — — — In research
Virginia — — — In research
Washington — — — In research
Washington D.C. — — — In research
West Virginia — — — In research
Wisconsin — — — In research
Wyoming — — — In research

Fees and durations are verified against state statutes and Secretary of State fee schedules on each state page's "data verified" date. Rules change — the linked official sources are always authoritative.

Cleared the rules? Check your name next.

Run a preliminary availability check, then claim an open name by forming your LLC with Northwest.

Check a name