Alaska LLC Name Search

Conducting an Alaska LLC name search is the first step toward forming your Alaska LLC.

Use our guide to check name availability and secure your business identity in the state with confidence.

Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.

Check LLC Name Availability in Alaska

1. Do an Alaska Business Name Search

Before filing your name reservation request, you can use Alaska’s Corporations Database to check the availability of your desired name. You can search by entity name, officials, or registered agents.

Note that while it is called a Corporations Database, it also includes LLCs and other business entities.

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.

Be sure to conduct a thorough 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 Alaska Naming Guidelines

Starting a business in Alaska involves understanding the state's specific naming requirements. This section simplifies Alaska's business name reservation and registration process under statutes AS 43.70 and AS 10.06.

Business Name Reservation

This is a temporary protection for a business name that lasts for 120 days, giving the owner exclusive rights to use that name while organizing their business. If the reservation hasn't expired and the owner is ready to use the reserved name, they can submit a notice to cancel the reservation along with an entity creation filing. The reservation fee is $25.

Name Restrictions

Certain restrictions apply to the selection of a business name. For instance, an LLC cannot use "incorporated" or "corporation" as part of its name, and a name cannot imply that the organization is a governmental unit. Vulgar names, misleading names, and those used as trademarks or internet domain names cannot be registered as business names.

In case of any infringement upon exclusive rights, the holder of these rights can seek legal remedy in the form of a court order and damages. This can be done through the Alaska Court System.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.

Registering Your Alaska Business Name

Launching an LLC in Alaska? It’s important to know that in Alaska, you are not required to reserve a business name before filing your Articles of Organization. 

This streamlined process allows you to register your business name and initiate your LLC all in one step. 

However, we're prepared to guide you through both situations: whether you're ready to start now or you're still organizing your plan.

Register Your Alaska LLC Name

In Alaska, the registration of your business name is a relatively straightforward task. You will officially register your LLC name when you file the Alaska Articles of Organization. Filing this form is crucial, as it marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development website provides complete instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the associated state filing fee.

Remember: Employing a professional LLC formation service can simplify the process by handling the registration of your LLC name and setting up your LLC for you. See our Best LLC Services review for more information.

Reserve Your Alaska Business Entity Name

Alaska’s Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Names can be reserved for 120 days with the intention of using that name for a business.

When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. You can file your name reservation either online or by mail, although you might want to file online if you want to get your name quickly. For more information, check out Alaska's online business services.

After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.

Business Name Reservation in Alaska

File Online with the State of Alaska

- OR -

File by Mail

Fee: $25

Mail to:

State of Alaska
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
PO Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811

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Other Considerations

Alaska allows for multiple business licenses to have the same name. However, a business may obtain exclusive rights to a business name by filing a Business Name Reservation or Business Name Registration. A Business Name Reservation protects the name for 120 days, while a Business Name Registration protects a name for 5 years. To reserve or register a name for your LLC it must be distinguishable from other registered business entities in the state. However, before filing your paperwork it is a good idea to do some additional research.

You’ll want to be sure your name or one very close to it is not being used by unregistered businesses such as sole proprietorships or partnerships, has not been trademarked by another business in your state or industry, and is otherwise 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 Alaska’s trademark records to see if your business name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state. The state updates its list four times a year, so be sure to check the latest list.
• 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 Alaska'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 the Department of Commerce 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.

What's Next?

Now that you have your name, it's time to take the next steps to establish your LLC. Check out our full guide on how to form an LLC in Alaska, where we can guide you every step of the way.

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