Nebraska LLC Name Search

You'll need to complete a Nebraska LLC name search to check name availability for your new business.

We’ll help you start your Nebraska LLC with a unique and legally compliant business name.

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

Check LLC Name Availability in Nebraska

1. Do a Nebraska Business Name Search

You can use the Nebraska Business Search to check the availability of your desired name.

There are several options for searching business entities, and to perform the most effective search, select “Name Keyword Search” and then type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC.” Also, try a few other options such as “Name Exact Match” and “Name Starts With.”

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 Nebraska Naming Guidelines

When naming your limited liability company (LLC) in Nebraska, it's important to follow the state's specific guidelines to ensure compliance and distinguish your business from others. 

The Nebraska Revised Statutes provide regulations that outline the requirements for naming your LLC.

Required LLC Name Elements

The name of your LLC must include one of the following:

• "Limited Liability Company"
• "Limited Company"

You may also use the following abbreviations:

• "L.L.C."
• "LLC"
• "L.C."
• "LC"

Additionally, the word "limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd.," and the word "company" may be abbreviated as "Co."

Name Distinguishability

To ensure clarity and avoid confusion, your LLC name must be distinguishable from other entities in the records of the Nebraska Secretary of State. It should not be the same as or deceptively similar to:

• Names of non-individual persons incorporated, organized, or authorized to transact business in Nebraska
• Names reserved under Section 21-109 or other state laws allowing the reservation or registration of business names, including fictitious or assumed name statutes

Authorization for Similar Names

In certain cases, a limited liability company may apply for authorization to use a name that is deceptively similar to other names already on record with the Secretary of State. To obtain such authorization, the LLC must meet one of the following conditions:

• Obtain consent from the present user, registrant, or owner of the noncomplying name, documented in a signed record.
• Provide the Secretary of State with a certified copy of the final judgment from a court establishing the LLC's right to use the applied-for name in Nebraska.

Foreign LLCs

The above naming requirements also apply to foreign LLCs conducting business in Nebraska. Whether the foreign LLC has a certificate of authority or has applied for one, it must adhere to the same naming guidelines.

By following these naming guidelines, you can choose a name for your Nebraska LLC that is compliant with state regulations and helps distinguish your business from others. Remember to conduct a thorough search to ensure your desired name is available and not in conflict with existing entities.

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

Registering Your Nebraska Business Name

Once you find an available name for your LLC, the next step is to either reserve it or register it with your Certificate of Organization.

Register Your Nebraska LLC Name

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

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

Utilizing a professional LLC formation service can simplify the process by handling the registration of your LLC name and the establishment of your LLC. To learn more, see our Best LLC Services review.

Reserve Your Nebraska Business Entity Name

The Nebraska Secretary of State's Corporate Division 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 may renew the name reservation.

To reserve a business name, you must file an application 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.

Nebraska LLC Name Reservation Form

Fee: $15

Mail to:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94608
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4608

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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 Nebraska trademark search using the Corporate & Business 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. 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 LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred name using the Nebraska Business 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 LLC 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.

What's Next?

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

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