Each US state maintains separate business entity database. Name available in New York might be taken in California. You must search your formation state before filing LLC papers.
Why State Name Search Matters
State will reject your LLC filing if name conflicts with existing entity. You lose filing fee ($50-500 depending on state) and waste weeks.
How State Business Names Work
State business databases are separate from federal trademark system. Name might be available at state level but trademarked federally (or vice versa). You need BOTH to be clear.
State vs Federal Protection
State registration: Prevents identical business names in same state. No cross-state protection. Federal trademark: Protects across all 50 states. Covers similar names, not just identical.
How to Search Your State Database
Every state has online business entity search (usually Secretary of State website). Most are free. Search process varies by state.
Finding Your State's Database
Google "[Your State] Secretary of State business search". Examples: California: bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. Delaware: icis.corp.delaware.gov. New York: appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp_public. Texas: direct.sos.state.tx.us. Florida: search.sunbiz.org.
Search Tips By State
Some states show only exact matches. Others show similar names. Most let you filter by entity type (LLC, Corp, etc).
What to Search
Your exact name without entity designation (search "Blue Ocean" not "Blue Ocean LLC"). Variations (BlueOcean, Blue Oceans). Common misspellings. Your name in other entity types (check if "Blue Ocean Corp" exists).
State-Specific Rules: Some states reserve confusingly similar names. "Acme Solutions LLC" might block "Acme Solution LLC" or "ACME Solutions Group LLC". Check your state's name availability standards.
Entity Designation Requirements
LLCs must include: "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company". Corporations must include: "Inc.", "Corp.", "Corporation", etc. These don't make names unique - "Acme LLC" and "Acme Corp" conflict in most states.
Common Rejection Reasons
Identical to existing business name. Too similar to existing name. Contains restricted words (Bank, Insurance, Attorney without license). Implies government affiliation. Contains prohibited characters or symbols.
Restricted Words by Industry
Financial services: Bank, Trust, Credit Union require state approval. Legal: Attorney, Law require licensed attorneys. Medical: Medical, Healthcare may require licensing. Engineering: Engineer requires PE license in some states.
Multi-State Operations
Planning to operate in multiple states? Your name must be available in EACH state. Foreign LLC registration (registering out-of-state LLC) also requires name availability.
Name Conflict Solutions
Foreign qualification blocked: File under assumed/DBA name in second state. Get consent from existing business (rare). Choose different name. Use "doing business as" (DBA) in conflict states.
Name Reservation
Found available name? Reserve it while you prepare LLC filing. Most states allow 60-120 day reservation for $10-50.
When to Reserve
You need time to prepare documents. You're waiting for funding. Name is highly desirable/competitive. Multiple people founding together (need time for agreements).
The Complete Check
State name search is step 1 of 4: State business entity database (prevents filing rejection). Federal trademark search (prevents legal conflicts). Domain availability (prevents web presence issues). Social media handles (prevents brand inconsistency).
Fast Multi-Check Tool
Trademark Lens checks state availability, USPTO trademarks, domain names, and social handles simultaneously. Saves hours vs searching each database separately.
After State Search
Name available? Check trademarks next (bigger risk than state rejection). Name taken? Try variations, check if business is active/defunct. Ready to file? Reserve name or file immediately to secure it.