Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register a fictitious business name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the California Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our California Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in California.
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Start NowHow to Check if Your California LLC Name Is Available
Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring you’re following naming guidelines, conducting a California business entity search, and verifying your name’s availability on the federal level. We’ve outlined the important steps below that you need to take to conduct a thorough LLC name search in California.
1. Follow LLC Naming Rules
Before you search your name’s availability, you need to ensure it follows naming guidelines for a California limited liability company.
Some key guidelines for California 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 California reserved names.
- Your name can’t include restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury.”
- Your name can’t imply that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose.
- Your name can’t use the words “bank,” “trust,” “trustee,” “credit union,” or related words without approval from the Commissioner of Business Oversight.
- Your name can’t include the words “incorporated,” “inc.,” “corporation,” or “corp.”
For more information, check out California’s business naming guidelines.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other business names. In California, a distinguishable name is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in California:
- Existence or absence of business identifiers (e.g., “LLC,” “LP,” “Corp.,” etc.)
- Differences in letter case or use of superscript or subscript
- Differences in typeface, punctuation, or spaces
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Conduct a California Business Search
The first business name search you’ll need to complete is at the state level. This search verifies there are no existing business entities already using your chosen name. You can check your business name availability by using the California Business Search tool on the California Secretary of State’s website.
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. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
If another company already trademarked your chosen business name or logo, you could face legal complications upon starting your business. Visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website and complete a basic search for potential matches. Even if your business name is available in your state, that doesn’t mean it isn’t trademarked at a federal level.
5. Reserve Your LLC Name
You may reserve your LLC name in California for up to 60 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 by mail or in person with the California Secretary of State. The filing fee is $10 plus an additional $10 if filing in person.
6. Form Your California LLC
Once you complete your LLC name search and verify your chosen name is available, the next step is to secure it by registering your business. Forming an LLC in California requires submitting Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State’s office. This document must include your entity name, the name and address of your registered agent, and your LLC management structure.
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Start NowCalifornia LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in California?
You can use the California Business 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 a California 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, California LLC names can’t imply the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose, include the words “bank,” “trust,” “trustee,” “credit union,” or related words without approval, or include the words “incorporated,” “inc.,” “corporation,” or “corp.”
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. California 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 California?
California doesn’t require LLCs to renew their legal name, but fictitious business names must be renewed every five years with the applicable county office.
Learn more about fictitious business names with our California DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in California?
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 fictitious business name in California.
In California, LLC fictitious business names are filed with the county of your principal place of business.
Learn more about fictitious business names with our California 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 California DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting California from the drop-down menu.