Washington LLC Name Search
To conduct a Washington LLC name search, you’ll need to use the Secretary of State’s Business Name Search. This will allow you to see if any business in the state is using a name that is the same (or deceptively similar) to the one you want.
Found the perfect name? Make sure it’s available as a web domain and secure it today with GoDaddy.
Washington LLC Name Search Quick Summary
- You can check if your desired Washington LLC name is available by using the Business Name Search tool on the Secretary of State’s website.
- When searching, type in the name you want to use without identifiers like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” and leave all other fields blank. This will return the widest range of results and help you spot any names that could be too similar to yours.
- If your search returns no matching results, your name is likely available. If similar names do appear, you will need to choose something more distinct to meet Washington’s naming requirements.
- Remember that your LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Liability Co.,” or an approved abbreviation like “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in order to meet Washington’s naming requirements.
- If you have found an available name but aren’t ready to officially form your business yet, you can reserve it for 180 days by filing a Name Reservation application with the Secretary of State ($30 fee).
- It’s also a good idea to search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database for potential trademark conflicts, as well as check that a matching domain name is available for your business.
Check LLC Name Availability in Washington
1. Do a Washington Business Name Search
You can use the Washington Business Name Search to check the availability of your desired name.
To perform the most effective search, type in the entity 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.
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 Washington Naming Guidelines
When naming a limited liability company (LLC) in Washington, it’s important to meet the following requirements:
- Required Phrases: The LLC name must include one of the following phrases: “limited liability company,” “Limited Liability Co.,” or their abbreviations: “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.”
- Prohibited Words: The name should not contain certain words or phrases, such as “cooperative,” “partnership,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” or their respective abbreviations: “Corp.,” “Ltd.,” or “Inc.” It must also comply with any other words or phrases prohibited by state statutes.
- PLLCs: Registered professional limited liability companies must include “Professional Limited Liability Company,” “PLLC,” or “P.L.L.C.” in their name.
Ensure that your LLC’s name follows these guidelines to comply with Washington state’s naming requirements for limited liability companies.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your Washington 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 Washington LLC
Registering your LLC name in Washington is a relatively straightforward task. Your business name becomes officially registered when you file the Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State. This critical document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.
The Washington Secretary of State’s website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Form an LLC
If you’ve verified your domain name and are good to go, we recommend using a professional LLC formation service like ZenBusiness ($0+ State Fees).
Reserve Your Washington Business Entity Name
The Washington Secretary of State’s Corporations & Charities Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 180 days. Keep in mind that name reservations in Washington are not renewable.
To reserve a business name, you must file an application by mail. When reserving your name, you will have to pay a filing fee. Cheques must be made out to the “Secretary of State.” An additional fee is required for expedited filing.
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
Washington Name Reservation Form
File by Mail With the Washington Secretary of State
Download FormFee: $30
Additional Expedited Fee: $100
Mail to:
Secretary of State
Corporations & Charities Division
P.O. Box 40234
Olympia, Washington 98504-0234
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 Washington’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. To do this, 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, Washington now processes over 100,000 new business registrations annually.
With such a high volume, finding a distinguishable name for your Washington LLC can seem more competitive than ever.
Even so, 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.
FAQs
The timeframe for receiving LLC name search results in Washington can vary. Generally, online search results are available immediately upon submission. However, it’s recommended to allow some additional time for processing and verification, especially during peak periods.
No, you cannot use a name for your LLC in Washington that is already in use by another business entity. It’s important to conduct an LLC name search to ensure the name you choose is available and not already registered by another entity.
Yes, Washington has certain naming restrictions for LLCs. The name must be distinguishable from other registered entities, and it should include the words “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” Additionally, it should avoid using words that may mislead the public or imply a purpose it does not serve.
Yes, it is possible to change your LLC name after it has been registered in Washington. The process typically involves filing Articles of Amendment with the Washington Secretary of State and paying the required fee. It’s recommended to conduct a new name search to ensure the availability of the new name before proceeding with the amendment.
Yes, professional LLCs in Washington have additional naming requirements. The name should include words that designate it as a professional limited liability company, such as “Professional Limited Liability Company,” “PLLC,” or “P.L.L.C.” These designations indicate that the LLC is providing professional services and are specific to certain licensed professions.
Conducting a business name search using the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporation Search tool is completely free. You will only need to pay a fee if you decide to reserve the name ($30) or when you file your Certificate of Formation to officially register your LLC.
No, reserving a name is completely optional in Washington. If you are ready to start your business right now, you can skip the name reservation process and simply file your Certificate of Formation. Name reservations are only necessary if you have found a name you want but aren’t ready to officially launch your LLC yet.