South Dakota LLC Name Search

Check LLC Name Availability in South Dakota

1. Do a South Dakota Business Name Search

You can use South Dakota’s Business Name Availability Search for an EXACT name search and the Business Information Search for variations of a name 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.

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 South Dakota Naming Guidelines

When choosing a name for your limited liability company (LLC) in South Dakota, there are specific guidelines you need to follow.

Required Designators

Your LLC name must include one of the following designators:

• “Limited Liability Company”
• “Limited Company”
• Abbreviations: “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” or “LC”
• “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.”
• “Company” may be abbreviated as “Co.”

Examples of acceptable names include:

• ABC Consulting Limited Liability Company
• XYZ Holdings LLC

Distinguishability From Other Entities

To register your LLC name in South Dakota, it must be distinguishable from the following:

• Names of existing corporations, limited partnerships, or companies incorporated, organized, or authorized to do business in the state.
• Names reserved or registered with the state.
• Fictitious names approved for foreign companies authorized to do business in South Dakota due to the unavailability of their real name.

Authorization for Non-Distinguishable Names

In some cases, you may apply to the Secretary of State for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable from existing names. Authorization can be granted if:

• The current user, registrant, or owner of a reserved name consents to your use of the name and undertakes to change their name to a distinguishable one.
• You provide a certified copy of a final judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction, establishing your right to use the name in South Dakota.

Use of Another Company’s Name

Your LLC may use the name of another domestic or foreign company if the other company is organized or authorized to do business in South Dakota and:

• You have merged with the other company.
• You have been formed by reorganization with the other company.
• You have acquired substantially all of the assets, including the name, of the other company.

Registering Your South Dakota Business Name

Whether you’re prepared to launch your LLC or still in the planning phase, we’re here to guide you through the process.

Register Your South Dakota LLC

Registering your LLC name in South Dakota is a relatively straightforward task. Your business name becomes officially registered when you file the South Dakota Articles of Organization. This critical document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.

The South Dakota Secretary of State’s website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.

Reserve Your South Dakota Business Entity Name

South Dakota’s Secretary of State Division of Corporations handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days. If you have yet to form your business entity using the reserved name when the business name reservation expires, you will not be able to reserve the name again until 60 days after the expiration date.

To reserve a business name, you must file an application by mail. There is currently no online option for name reservations. When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Checks must be made out to the “Secretary of State.”

South Dakota Application for Reservation of Name

File by Mail With the South Dakota Secretary of State

Download Form

Fee: $25

Mail to:
Secretary of State
Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070

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 South Dakota 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, 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 U.S. Census Bureau, South Dakota now processes over 11,000 new business applications per year. 

While this can make finding a unique business name seem daunting, it’s important that you 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.