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 Arizona Business Entity Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Arizona Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Arizona.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your Arizona 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 Arizona.
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 Arizona LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.,” or “LC” in uppercase or lowercase letters.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Arizona 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.
Arizona also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name cannot imply that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose.
- Your name cannot contain the words “association,” “corporation,” or “incorporated” (or an abbreviation of these words).
- Your name cannot contain the words “bank,” “deposit,” “credit union,” “trust,” or “trust company” without permission.
For more information, check out Arizona’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Arizona, 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 Arizona:
- Business entity identifiers (e.g., “LLC,” “Corp.,” “LLP,” etc.)
- Spaces between words
- Punctuation
- Case of letters
- Differences in “&” vs. “and”
- Arabic numerals and words representing these numerals
- Articles like “a,” “an,” and “the”
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Search for LLC Names
The Grand Canyon State requires LLC names to be clearly distinguishable from existing businesses. You can check your business name availability by searching the Arizona Business Entity Search online 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.
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4. Reserve Your LLC Name
You may reserve your LLC name in Arizona 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 Arizona Corporation Commission. The filing fee is $45 online and $10 via hard copy.
5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
Before finalizing your business identity, perform a trademark search. This step helps you avoid inadvertently using someone else’s protected brand elements. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s online database is an invaluable tool for this purpose. If you need professional assistance, our review of the top trademark services for new ventures can point you in the right direction.
6. Form Your Arizona LLC
To form an LLC in Arizona, entrepreneurs must file Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission. This crucial step brings your business to life in the eyes of the law. The Articles of Organization include your LLC’s name, registered agent, business purpose, and other key details.
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Start NowArizona LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Arizona?
You can use the Arizona Business Entity Search tool to see if your business name is available.
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 Arizona 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, Arizona LLC names can’t imply the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include the words “association,” “corporation,” or “incorporated” (or an abbreviation of these words), or include the words “bank,” “deposit,” “credit union,” “trust,” or “trust company” without permission.
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. Arizona requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”) in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in Arizona?
Arizona doesn’t require LLCs to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every five years with the Secretary of State.
You can renew your trade name online. The filing fee is $10.
Learn more about trade names with our Arizona DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Arizona?
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 trade name in Arizona.
In Arizona, LLC trade names are filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Learn more about trade names with our Arizona 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 Arizona DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Arizona from the drop-down menu.