Delaware LLC Name Search
The first step when starting your Delaware LLC is to complete a Delaware LLC name search to ensure the name is available for use.
We’ll help you verify name availability and secure your business identity.
Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.
Check LLC Name Availability in Delaware
1. Do a Delaware Business Name Search
Before filing your name reservation request, you can use the Delaware Secretary of State Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired entity 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 Delaware Naming Guidelines
Choosing the right name for your LLC in Delaware is a crucial step in starting your business. Here are some guidelines to assist you through the process.
Specific Terms or Abbreviations
The name of your LLC must include specific terms or abbreviations. Your company name should either include the words "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviations "L.L.C." or "LLC".
Use of Certain Words
Lastly, your LLC name may include the following words: "Company," "Association," "Club," "Foundation," "Fund," "Institute," "Society," "Union," "Syndicate," "Limited" or "Trust" or any abbreviations of these words.
Member or Manager's Name
Delaware law allows the name of an LLC to contain the name of a member or manager. This provides you with the flexibility to personalize your business name.
Name Uniqueness
Your LLC's name must be distinguishable from the names of any other business entities registered in Delaware. This includes corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, statutory trusts, and other LLCs, whether they are domestic or foreign entities.
Exceptions to Name Uniqueness
In certain cases, a limited liability company may register under a name that isn't distinguishable from other entities recorded by the Secretary of State. For this to be permissible, the other entity must provide written consent for you to use the name. This consent must be filed with the Secretary of State.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Delaware Business Name
As you gear up to establish your LLC in Delaware, it's important to note that the state doesn't require you to reserve a business name before filing your Certificate of Formation. This process allows you to register your business name and commence your LLC concurrently. We're prepared to guide you through either scenario, whether you're ready to set sail or are still charting your course.
Register Your Delaware LLC Name
Registering your LLC name in Delaware is a relatively simple task. The official registration of your business name happens when you file the Delaware Certificate of Formation. This vital document signifies the formal initiation of your Delaware LLC, marking an essential milestone in setting up your new venture.
The Delaware Division of Corporations provides clear instructions on how to fill out this form and pay the required state filing fee.
Remember: Engaging a professional LLC formation service can simplify your journey by handling the registration of your LLC name and the setup of your LLC. For more insights, refer to our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your Delaware Business Entity Name
The Delaware Department of State's Division of Corporations 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. 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.
Delaware Name Reservation
File Online with the Delaware Division of Corporations
- OR -
File by Mail
Download FormFee: $75
Mail to:
Delaware Division of Corporations
401 Federal Street – Suite 4
Dover, DE 19901
Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?
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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:
- Do a Delaware trademark 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, search for your business name on each major site, using 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 Delaware LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred entity name using the Delaware 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 a Delaware 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 LLC.
FAQs
You can perform a Delaware LLC name search by visiting the Delaware Division of Corporations' business name database. Input your proposed LLC name and examine the search results to ensure it's distinct and available for use.
A Delaware LLC name search verifies that your proposed LLC name isn't already taken by an existing business in Delaware. This process is vital to avoid potential legal issues and trademark infringements, ensuring your name is unique.
It's advisable to conduct a Delaware LLC name search in the early stages of establishing your LLC. If there's been a period since your previous search and you haven't registered the name yet, a second search right before registration is recommended.
For a Delaware LLC, the name should be distinguishable from other businesses, including "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C.," and avoid words that could confuse it with a government agency or imply a purpose that the LLC doesn't have.
Name searches conducted through Delaware’s Name Availability Search tool have the option to immediately reserve their name if it’s not in use by another entity in the state. This reservation lasts for 120 days.