Louisiana LLC Name Search
The first step in starting a Louisiana LLC is checking name availability with a Louisiana LLC name search.
We'll help you start your business journey with a strong and distinctive name.
Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.
Check LLC Name Availability in Louisiana
1. Do a Louisiana Business Name Search
You can use Louisiana’s Business Filings 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”, and leave all other boxes blank. 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 Louisiana Naming Guidelines
When creating a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Louisiana, there are a few important state naming guidelines that you should be aware of. Here are the main rules to keep in mind:
LLC Identifier
The name of your company must include the term "limited liability company" or its abbreviations "L.L.C." or "L.C". For low-profit LLCs, the options include "low-profit limited liability company", "L3C", or "l3c".
Lawful Names
The name should not indicate or imply any unlawful purpose, nor should it contradict the company's articles of organization. You cannot include the phrase "doing business as" or the abbreviation "d/b/a" in the name.
Unique Names
The chosen name must be distinguishable from other registered business entities in the state of Louisiana. This includes corporations, partnerships, other LLCs, reserved names, or trade names. If the name is not unique, exceptions may be granted under certain conditions.
Government Implications
The name should not suggest that the LLC is a government agency, at either the state or federal level.
Offensive or Misleading Language
Avoid using words or phrases that may be deemed immoral, deceptive, or scandalous. Also, the name should not suggest a charitable or non-profit nature unless it's accurate.
Professional Terms
If your LLC name includes words like "engineer", "engineering", "surveyor", "surveying", or derivatives thereof, you need to notify the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board at least ten days before the certificate of organization issuance.
Financial Terms
If your LLC name contains words like "bank", "banker", "banking", "savings", "safe deposit", "trust", "trustee", "building and loan", "homestead", or "credit union", you'll need approval from the Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions.
Insurance Terms
The word "insurance" can only be included in the name if the LLC is an independent insurance agency or brokerage firm.
Please remember, a name violation doesn't invalidate the existence of an LLC, but the state or any interested parties may apply to a court to stop an LLC from doing business under a violating name. It's advisable to follow the naming rules to avoid any legal implications.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Louisiana Business Name
Regardless of whether you're ready to launch your LLC or are still in the planning phase, we're here to guide you through the process.
Register Your Louisiana LLC Name
In Louisiana, the process of registering your LLC name involves two steps. First, you have to reserve your business name. Once that's completed, you can officially register your business name when you file the Louisiana Articles of Organization. This crucial document signifies the formal establishment of your LLC in the state.
The Louisiana Secretary of State's website provides detailed instructions on how to complete the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Remember: Hiring a professional LLC formation service can make your journey easier by handling the reservation and registration of your LLC name, as well as setting up your LLC. To learn more, check out our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your Louisiana Business Entity Name
Louisiana’s Secretary of State Commercial Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 60 days. Two 30 day extensions can be made at no extra charge if good cause is shown.
To reserve a business name online you will need to create a GeauxBiz account. You can also file an application by mail. 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 the “Secretary of State.”
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Louisiana Application for Reservation of Name
File Online with GeauxBiz
- OR -
File by Mail
DOWNLOAD FORMFee: $25 + $30 for 24-hour filing or $50 for 2-4 hour processing (optional)
Mail to:
Commercial Division
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?
We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services.
Find out which is best for you.
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 Louisiana’s trademark records by using the Business Filings 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. You can do this by simply searching your business name on each major site, or use a tool such as Namecheckr 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 Louisiana's 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 name with an Application for Reservation of Name will help you stand out from the competition. With your name secured, you will be ready to take the next steps to formalize your LLC.
FAQs
You can perform an LLC name search in Louisiana by visiting the Louisiana Secretary of State's business search portal. Input your proposed LLC name into the search bar and review the generated list to verify that your chosen name is unique and not already taken.
By conducting a Louisiana LLC name search, you ensure your proposed LLC name is unique within the state. This step is critical to avoid possible legal disputes and trademark infringement cases, which could occur if your LLC name is too similar to that of an existing business.
It's recommended to conduct a Louisiana LLC name search during the early planning stages of your LLC. However, if a significant amount of time has passed since your last search and the name has not been registered, a new search should be done before registration.
Yes, in Louisiana, your LLC name must be unique, should include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C.," and cannot contain words that may confuse it with a government agency or suggest a purpose it does not serve.
Yes, once your desired LLC name is confirmed as available through the Louisiana LLC name search, you can reserve it by filing a Name Reservation application with the Louisiana Secretary of State and paying the required fee. This reservation lasts for 120 days.