Hawaii LLC Name Search

Check LLC Name Availability in Hawaii

1. Do a Hawaii Business Name Search

You can use Hawaii’s Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired name.

To perform the most effective search, type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC.” This will return all entities using the same or similar names.

If your business name is several words, you can even search just the first two words to ensure you pull up all possible similar names.

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 Hawaii Naming Guidelines

Selecting a name for your new Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a crucial initial step in the formation process. Each state, including Hawaii, has its unique guidelines. Let’s delve into the naming rules for Hawaii.

Identifying Uniqueness

The uniqueness of your proposed LLC name is of utmost importance. In Hawaii, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will reject any name that is considered “substantially identical” to an already registered name. Below are the guidelines for this requirement:

‘Substantially Identical’ Classification Examples

• Number Variations: If the only difference from an existing name is the spelling of a number, numerical symbol, or Roman numeral. For example, “Twenty-Seven, Inc.”, “27, Inc.”, and “XXVII, Inc.” are considered identical.
• Phonetic Similarities: Names that sound the same but are spelled differently are classified as substantially identical. For instance, “The Flour Shop, Inc.” and “The Flower Shop, Inc.” are considered the same.
• Business Entity Suffix Variation: The use of different business entity suffixes (such as “Inc.”, “Corporation”, “LLC”) in an existing name doesn’t make it unique.
• Minor Word Changes: Minor alterations in your business name, like the use of connectors (“and”, “the”, “of”, “in”, etc.), do not differentiate your name from an existing one.
• Punctuation, Spaces, or Symbols: Variation from an existing name or mark due to punctuation, spaces, or symbols are not considered unique.
• Double Use of a Business Entity Suffix: Using a business entity suffix or affix twice does not make a name unique.
• Plural Words or Possessive “s”: The use of plural words or addition of a possessive “s” won’t differentiate your name.
• Abbreviation or Shortened Form of a Word: The use of universally recognized abbreviations or shortened forms of a word are not considered unique.
• Use of the Phrase “of Hawaii”, “Hawaii”, or “HI”: The use of the phrase “of Hawaii”, “Hawaii”, or “HI” doesn’t make a name unique.
• Use of the Word “Hawaii” or “Hawaiian” at the Start: Starting the name with “Hawaii” or “Hawaiian” doesn’t make it unique.
• Use of a Number, Alphabetical or Numerical Symbol in Consecutive Order: Adding a number or alphabetical symbol in consecutive order won’t differentiate your name from an existing one.

‘Not Substantially Identical’ Classification Examples

In contrast, a name is considered “not substantially identical” if:

• There is a significant difference from the names on file.
• The name contains a letter or letters, other than plural or possessive “s”, making it distinguishable.
• The name contains a variation in word sequencing or arrangement.
• The addition of a prefix, suffix, or affix makes the name unique.

Forbidden Names and Terms

Certain names and terms are strictly prohibited in the State of Hawaii. For example:

• Purely geographic names, landmarks registered with a recognized historical registry, or deceptive words, symbols, or phrases can’t be registered.
• Coined words may be restricted to one registrant unless consent is granted.
• Terms related to financial institutions, federal entities, or professional services can’t be used unless authorized.
• Using words suggesting a connection with a governmental agency is prohibited unless permitted.

Business Entity Designator

An LLC name must include an appropriate business entity designator. In Hawaii, one of the following terms or abbreviations should be at the end of your LLC name:

• “Limited Liability Company”
• “Limited Liability Co.”
• “Ltd. Liability Co.”
• “Ltd. Co.”
• “LLC” or “L.L.C.”

Registering Your Hawaii Business Name

If you’re gearing up to launch an LLC in Hawaii, you should be aware that the state does not require you to reserve a business name before filing your Articles of Organization. 

Register Your Hawaii LLC

Registering your LLC name in Hawaii is a straightforward task. You will officially register your business name when you file the Hawaii Articles of Organization. This essential document signifies the formal establishment of your business in the state.

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs provides comprehensive instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the applicable state filing fee.

Reserve Your Hawaii Business Entity Name

Hawaii’s Secretary of State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days.

To reserve a business name, you must file an application online or by mail. You will need to create an account with the Business Registration Division in order to file an application online. Be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your application to avoid rejection.

When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Checks must be made out to “Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.”

Hawaii Application for Reservation of Name

File Online with Hawaii Business Express

File Online

– OR –

File by Mail

Download Form

Fee: $10

Mail to:

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Business Registration Division
P. O. Box 40
Honolulu, Hawaii 96810

Other Considerations

While reserving the name for your LLC 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 across the internet. 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 Hawaii’s trademark records by using the same business entity search 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

According to recent data from the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, there are now over 25,000 new business formations in the state annually. 

With this record-breaking volume, finding a distinguishable name for your Hawaii LLC is more competitive than ever. Even so, don’t rush the process or settle for the first available name you find. Take the time to choose something memorable that reflects your brand, works as a domain, and won’t limit you as your business grows.