Indiana LLC Name Search
You can conduct an Indiana LLC name search to check name availability for your business venture.
We’ll help you search the Secretary of State website and start your Indiana LLC with a unique name.
Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.
Check LLC Name Availability in Indiana
1. Do an Indiana Business Name Search
You can use Indiana’s Business Entity Search to check the availability of your LLC 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 Indiana Naming Guidelines
Starting an LLC in Indiana involves many important steps, and choosing an appropriate name is one of the first and most critical tasks.
Below, we provide guidance on the specific requirements for naming your LLC in Indiana:
Distinguishing Characteristics
Your LLC name should be distinguishable from other business names on record with the Indiana Secretary of State. This uniqueness can be achieved through:
- Different letters, numerals, or words
- A unique sequence of letters or numerals
- Same root words arranged in a different order
Non-Distinguishing Characteristics
There are some elements that do not count as distinguishing characteristics:
- Business identifiers such as "Inc.", "corporation", "LLC", or "LLP"
- Use of articles like "the," "an" or "a"
- Differences in punctuation or capitalization
- Plurals, possessives, or hyphenated/combined words
- Interchangeable usage of "and" and "&"
- Arabic, Roman, and spelled-out numbers are considered the same
Avoid Misleading or Restricted Words
Your LLC name should not include words that could mislead the public or imply a connection with a government agency.
Remember, your LLC's name is its identity. It's how customers will find you, so make sure it's unique, easy to search for, and represents what your business stands for. Once you have a unique name that follows these guidelines, you can proceed to the next step of your LLC formation in Indiana.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Indiana Business Name
If you're preparing to launch an LLC in Indiana, it's good to know that the state doesn't mandate you to reserve a business name prior to filing your Articles of Organization. This efficient process allows you to register your business name and kick-start your LLC in one move. We're here to guide you, whether you're ready to take the leap or are still gathering your bearings.
Register Your Indiana LLC Name
In Indiana, registering your LLC name is a relatively straightforward process. You'll officially register your business name when you file the Indiana Articles of Organization. This crucial document signifies the formal initiation of your business in the state.
The Indiana Secretary of State's website offers comprehensive instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Keep in mind: Opting for a professional LLC formation service can make things even simpler by managing the registration of your LLC name and the setup of your LLC. To learn more, see our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your Indiana Business Entity Name
INBiz is Indiana’s one stop resource for all your business related needs and inquiries, including all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days.
To reserve a business name, you will need to create an online account in order to file an application online or access the mail-in application. 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.
Indiana Reservation of a Business Entity Name
File Online or by Mail
Create an AccountFee: $10
Create an account on Indiana's INBiz website in order to file your application online or to download the form to apply by mail.
Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?
We reviewed and ranked the top 5 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 Indiana’s trademark records 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 Indiana'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 a Business Entity 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 utilize the Indiana Secretary of State's online business search portal to perform an LLC name search. Simply type your intended LLC name into the search bar, then review the results to ensure that your chosen name is available and unique.
Conducting an LLC name search in Indiana is critical to ensure that your selected LLC name isn't already registered or too similar to another entity in the state. This is important to avoid potential legal challenges and to maintain the unique identity of your business.
The ideal time to carry out an LLC name search in Indiana is during the early planning stages of your LLC. If your previous search was some time ago and you haven't yet registered the name, it's recommended to perform a new search prior to finalizing your registration.
In Indiana, your LLC name must be distinct, must include the words "Limited Liability Company," "LLC", or "L.L.C.", and cannot contain language that may mislead the public into thinking your LLC is a government agency or implies a purpose it does not have.
Once your preferred LLC name is confirmed as available through the Indiana LLC name search, you can reserve it by filing a Name Reservation Request with the Indiana Secretary of State and paying the applicable fee. This reservation is valid for 120 days.