Florida Business Name Search

Before limited liability companies (LLCs) can register their business with the state, register a fictitious name, or start a corporation, they need to complete a Florida Business Entity Search (LLC name search). This guide outlines how to perform a business name search using the Florida Business Entity Search tool, conduct a federal name search, and more to verify your desired business name is unique.

How to Check if Your Florida LLC Name Is Available

In our Florida Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Florida. From state searches to domain checks, these are the key steps you need to take to verify your business name is available for use. 

1. Follow LLC Naming Rules

Before conducting any name searches, you need to determine whether your business name follows Florida’s naming requirements. Otherwise, regardless of whether or not your business name is available, it may be rejected during the formation process.

Some key guidelines for Florida LLC names include:

• Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”).
• Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. 
• Your name can’t include restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury.”
• Your name can’t contain language implying the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose or one not stated in its Articles of Organization.

For more information, check out Florida’s official state statutes.

Distinguishability

It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Florida, 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 Florida:

• Business type suffixes (e.g., “LLC,” “Inc,” “LP,” etc.)
• Articles (e.g., “the,” “a,” “an,” etc.)
• The word “and” and the ampersand symbol “&”
• Plural or possessive forms of words
• Punctuation and symbols
• Abbreviations

Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.

2. Search for LLC Names

The first name search you need to conduct is at the state level. A state LLC name search helps to verify there isn’t already a business in the state using your desired name. 

You can check your business name availability by searching the Florida Division of Corporations’ Business Entity Search tool. This tool is free to use and a necessary step toward securing your business name.

3. Check Available Domain Names

When choosing a business name, you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name 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

A trademark search allows you to verify your business name and logo aren’t trademarked to avoid legal complications in the future. You can visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website to search for potential matches. 

Keep in mind that even if your LLC name is available within your state, you need to make sure your brand elements don’t infringe on existing trademarks.

For additional help, visit our review of the best trademark services for startups.

5. Reserve Your LLC Name

You can choose to reserve your LLC name in Florida 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 by forming your own business.

You must submit a name reservation in writing to the Florida Secretary of State and must specify the desired entity name, the applicant’s name, and their address. The filing fee is $25 for LLCs.

6. Form Your Florida LLC 

Once you establish the availability of your business name, the next step is to secure it by registering your business with the state.

To form an LLC in Florida, you must file Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations. Your LLC’s articles must include your business name as well as the company’s effective date, mailing address, registered agent contact information, and names of all managers or members.

This step formally registers your business with the state, securing your LLC name. Many entrepreneurs choose to use an LLC formation service for this step to ensure the filing is completed accurately.  

Florida LLC Name Search FAQ

Florida Business Resources