Wisconsin LLC Name Search

Check LLC Name Availability in Wisconsin

1. Do a Wisconsin Business Name Search

You can use Wisconsin’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. Wisconsin also offers a specific Name Availability Search.

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 Wisconsin Naming Guidelines

When forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Wisconsin, choosing the right name is crucial. This section provides an overview of the naming requirements and guidelines to help you select a unique and distinguishable name for your LLC.

Permitted Names

To comply with Wisconsin law, the name of your LLC must include one of the following phrases or abbreviations:

• “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company”
• “LLC” or “LC”

Additionally, you may use variations of these abbreviations, differing only in capitalization or punctuation. You can also abbreviate “Limited” as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.”

Distinguishing Names

To ensure that your LLC’s name is distinguishable from others on record, it must not be confusingly similar to any of the following:

• Names of existing individuals that required filing with the Department of Financial Institutions and are not administratively dissolved
• Names of registered limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
• Names under which a person is registered to do business in Wisconsin
• Reserved names filed under state laws
• Names registered under state laws

Authorization for Nondistinguishable Names

In certain cases, you can apply for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable from other registered names. The Department of Financial Institutions may grant authorization if:

• The entity with the conflicting name provides written consent and undertakes to change its name or cancel its registration/reservation
• You provide a certified copy of a court judgment establishing your right to use the name

Prohibited Language

The name of your LLC should not imply that it is organized for a purpose subject to regulation under another Wisconsin statute unless the purpose is permitted by that statute and the entity complies with its limitations.

Ensure you follow these naming requirements to select an appropriate and available name for your Wisconsin LLC. Conduct a thorough search and ensure your chosen name complies with the guidelines before proceeding with the registration process.

Registering Your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin LLC

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

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions’ website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.

Reserve Your Wisconsin Business Entity Name

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Division of Corporate and Consumer Services 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 by mail. When reserving your entity name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Checks must be made out to the “Department of Financial Institutions.” Expedited services are available for an additional fee.

Wisconsin Name Reservation Application

File by Mail With the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

Download Form

Fee: $15 (additional $25 for expedited service)

Mail to:

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
PO Box 93348
Milwaukee, WI 53293-0348

Express or priority mail:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Division of Corporate and Consumer Services
4822 Madison Yards Way, 4th Fl., North Tower
Madison, WI 53705

Other Considerations

While reserving an entity name for your Wisconsin 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 entity name to see if it’s available for use online. This will help ensure you have full, unrestricted use of your business name.

Trademark Search

Conducting a trademark search of your entity 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 Wisconsin trademark search to see if your entity name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state. You’ll need to create an account with the Department of Financial Institutions.
• 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 online 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, Wisconsin now processes over 60,000 new business applications per year.

With this volume, finding a distinguishable name for your Wisconsin LLC can seem more competitive than ever. 

Even so, make sure that you do not rush the process or settle for the first available name you find. It’s important that you take the time to choose something memorable that reflects your brand, works as a domain, and won’t limit you as your business grows.