Alabama LLC Name Search
To conduct an Alabama LLC name search, you will need to use the Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Entity Records database. This will allow you to verify the availability of your desired business name and ensure it meets the state’s distinguishability requirements.
It’s important to note that Alabama requires a mandatory name reservation before you can file your LLC formation documents (unlike most other states).
Found the perfect name? Make sure it’s available as a web domain and secure it today with GoDaddy.
Alabama LLC Name Search Quick Summary
- You can check whether your Alabama LLC name is available through the Secretary of State’s Business Entity Records database.
- To see active competitors, enter your desired name into the search field and filter the status to “Existing.”
- Make sure to leave out designators like “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in the search bar; this helps you catch any similar names that might be too close to yours.
- If your search comes back with “No Records Found,” it’s a good sign that your chosen name is likely available for use.
- Remember that Alabama requires you to file a formal name reservation and pay a $25 fee before you can officially register your LLC.
- This reservation must include a legal designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” in order to be accepted by the state.
- You should also check for matching website domains and social media handles to make sure your brand is available everywhere.
Check LLC Name Availability in Alabama
1. Do an Alabama Business Name Search
Before filing your name reservation request, you can use the Alabama Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired entity name.
To perform the most effective search, type in the entity name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC,” and leave all other boxes blank. This will return all entities using the same or similar names. If you can’t find the name in your search, that means the name has not been taken and is available for you to use.
If you choose to file online, the site will prompt you to perform this search before submitting your form. If you file by mail, be sure to conduct a thorough online search before completing your paperwork to avoid rejection.
2. Search Available Domain Names
Another important consideration to make when selecting a business name is whether or not your desired web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This seemingly small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it online using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
3. Follow Alabama Naming Guidelines
Starting a limited liability company (LLC) in Alabama involves several key steps, one of which is selecting an appropriate name. This section provides an overview of the naming requirements for different types of business entities in Alabama, as outlined in Title 10A of the Alabama Code.
Note that Alabama requires all LLCs to file a name reservation before filing their Certificate of Formation.
Entity Identifier
When naming a limited liability company, ensure the name contains the terms “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” or “LLC”.
Prohibited Names
Your Alabama LLC cannot use a name that is indistinguishable from another domestic or foreign entity in the Secretary of State’s records — including reserved names
Distinguishability
Names are not considered “distinguishable” from other names on record if there is only a difference in entity identifiers (e.g., corp, Inc., LLC, LP, etc.)
Name Consent
Name distinguishability does not apply if you receive written consent from the business entity whose existing name is in question.
Names Requiring Approval from Other Agencies
Names of entities related to banking or insurance will need approval letters from the Alabama Banking Commissioner’s Office and the Alabama Insurance Commissioner’s Office, respectively.
Names Requiring Alabama Licensing Evidence
If you wish to use a professional designation in your business name (for example, engineering, landscaping, architecture, law, medicine, etc.), you need to provide a copy of the relevant Alabama license for one officer/member or a letter from the governing agency permitting the use of the name without licensing.
For engineering and landscaping businesses, an approval letter and Certificate of Authorization from the Alabama Engineering Board are also required.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Alabama Business Name
If you’re preparing to initiate your Alabama LLC, the route to registering your business name is slightly different from other states.
In Alabama, you are required to reserve your LLC’s name prior to filing the Articles of Organization.
Despite this additional step, we’ll walk you through the entire process to ensure you’re on the right track, whether you’re ready to launch or still in the planning phase.
Form an LLC
If you’ve verified your domain name and are good to go, we recommend using a professional LLC formation service like ZenBusiness ($0+ State Fees).
Reserve Your Alabama Business Entity Name
The Alabama Secretary of State requires all LLCs to reserve their business name before filing the Articles of Organization.
This can be done via the online Name Reservation System.
This reservation protects your chosen business name from being taken by others.
Alabama business names can be reserved for a period of up to one year.
When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Checks must be made out to the “Secretary of State.” Those who are not paid subscribers to Alabama Interactive must pay an additional $28 fee to submit a request online. There is no additional fee to file by mail.
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Alabama Name Reservation
File Online With the State of Alabama
File Online– OR –
File by Mail
Download FormStandard Fee: $25
Mail to:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103
Other Considerations
While reserving your entity name is straightforward, there are some other things you should think about when choosing the best name for your business. You may want to do a Trademark and Social Media search for your name to see if it’s available for use online. This will help ensure you have full, unrestricted use of your business name.
Trademark Search
Conducting a trademark search of your business name and associated slogans or logos before registering can help prevent costly litigation in the future. Discovering that another entity has trademarked your business name does not automatically disqualify you from using it.
However, it is important to know who is using the name, what industry they operate in, and where they are located to be sure you do not inadvertently infringe upon anyone’s intellectual property rights.
To complete this step:
- Search Alabama’s trademark records to see if your business name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state.
- Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s electronic records to find any federally registered trademarks associated with your business name.
Social Media Search
Just as important, or more so, than finding a domain name that fits your business is ensuring that your business name is available for use across social media platforms. To do this, you can search for your business name on each major site, or use a tool such as Namecheckerr to search across all platforms at once.
Bottom Line
Having a name for your business is an important first step for creating a successful LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred name using the Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity Search, you’ll want to secure your domain name so that your customers will be able to find your business online.
Reserving your entity name with an Alabama Name Reservation Form will help you stand out from the competition. With your entity name secured, you will be ready to take the next steps to formalize your Alabama LLC.
FAQs
To conduct an Alabama LLC name search, visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s online business search page. Enter the desired name in the appropriate field and click on “Search.” Ensure the name is unique and adheres to Alabama’s LLC naming rules.
Performing an Alabama LLC name search is crucial to ensure that the proposed name for your LLC is unique and not already taken by another business entity in the state. This helps to avoid potential legal conflicts in the future.
It’s recommended to perform an Alabama LLC name search when you’re considering a new name for your LLC. Additionally, if you’ve previously searched but haven’t yet registered the name, a re-check before registration is advised.
In Alabama, your LLC’s name must be distinguishable from other entities, cannot contain words that might confuse your LLC with a government agency, and must end with “LLC” or “L.L.C.” Certain restricted words require additional paperwork or a licensed individual to be part of your LLC.
No, you cannot reserve a name through the name search platform. However, once you’ve confirmed the availability of a name, you can reserve it for a full year by filing a name reservation request online with the Alabama Secretary of State’s online services portal and paying the applicable fee.
While you can use a Trade Name to brand your business, it does not replace the requirement to perform a formal LLC name search and reservation. Keep in mind that in Alabama, DBAs are called “Trade Names” and are filed with the Secretary of State, rather than the county.
Once your Name Reservation Request is approved by the Alabama Secretary of State, your chosen business name is reserved for a period of one year. It is important to note that you must file your Certificate of Formation within this one-year window to officially create your LLC.
If your search returns a “No Records Found” message, it is actually a good sign. This result indicates that there are no active businesses or existing reservations using that exact name in the Secretary of State’s database, meaning the name is likely available for you to use.