Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register a trade name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Alaska Corporations Database tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Alaska Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Alaska.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your Alaska LLC Name Is Available
Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring your business name follows state requirements and performing a domain name and state search. These are the steps you need to take to determine if your business name is available in Alaska.
1. Follow LLC Naming Rules
Before you perform an LLC name search, you need to make sure your business name follows the state’s business name requirements.
Some key guidelines for Alaska LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.” “Limited” can be abbreviated to “Ltd.” and “Company” can be abbreviated to “Co.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Alaska reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Alaska also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- The name may not contain a word or phrase that indicates or implies the LLC is organized for a purpose other than the one contained in its Articles of Organization.
- The name of a city, borough, or village may be used in an LLC’s name; however, the name may not contain the word “city,” “borough,” or “village” or otherwise imply the company is a municipality.
- The name may not contain a word with professional licensing restrictions, such as “Engineer,” unless the LLC has the appropriate professional license.
- Entity names that mislead the public about an LLC’s purpose are not allowed.
For more information, check out Alaska’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Alaska, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Alaska:
- Use of entity identifiers (e.g., “LLC,” “Inc.,” “LP,” “Ltd.,” etc.)
- Differences in punctuation, special characters, or capitalization
- Differences in spacing (e.g., Sample Company LLC vs. SampleCompany LLC)
- The presence or absence of an article, preposition, or conjunction, or a symbol for that word (e.g., “an,” “to,” “and,” etc.)
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Conduct a State LLC Name Search
Before registering your LLC, it’s crucial to ensure your chosen name is unique and not already in use. You can check your business name availability by searching the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s online Corporations Database.
3. Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name, you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name also is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This 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 using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
4. Reserve Your LLC Name
You may reserve your LLC name in Alaska for up to 120 days before you officially register it with the state. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
You can file a name reservation online or via hard copy with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. The filing fee is $25. You also can renew your name reservation up to two times.
5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
Don’t skip the crucial step of a trademark search. It helps you avoid potential legal issues by ensuring your chosen business name or logo isn’t already trademarked. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s online database to conduct your search. For expert help, consult our list of recommended trademark services for new businesses.
6. Form Your Alaska LLC
An LLC name becomes officially registered when you form your LLC in Alaska by filing the Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. The Articles of Organization include your LLC’s name, registered agent, business purpose, and other key details. Filing this document establishes your company’s legal existence in Alaska.
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Start NowAlaska LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Alaska?
You can use the Alaska Corporations Database tool to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in an Alaska LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Alaska LLC names cannot imply the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include professional designations without permission, or use language that’s misleading.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Alaska Naming Requirements section.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name Your LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Alaska requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”) in their legal name.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Alaska Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Alaska?
Alaska doesn’t require LLCs to renew their legal name, but business names must be renewed by Dec. 31 of the fifth year after registration and every five years after that with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
You can renew via hard copy. The filing fee is $25.
Learn more about business names with our Alaska DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Alaska?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or a business name in Alaska.
In Alaska, LLC business names are filed with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Learn more about business names with our Alaska DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Alaska DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Alaska from the drop-down menu.