Hawaii Business Name Search

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 Hawaii Business Name Search tool to see if your name is unique.

In our Hawaii Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Hawaii.

How to Check if Your Hawaii 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 Hawaii. 

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 Hawaii 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.”
• If you’re a domestic insurance LLC, your name must include the word “insurance”; and, in the case of a reciprocal insurer, the name must include one of the following words: “reciprocal,” “interinsurer,” “interinsurance,” “exchange,” “underwriters,” or “underwriting.”
• Your name must be permitted by law and not attempt to mislead or confuse the general public.
• Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Hawaii 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.

Hawaii also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

• The following terms can’t be used without approval from the State Commissioner of Financial Institutions: “financial institution,” “bank,” “banker,” “banking,” “banc,” “savings bank,” “savings and loan,” “savings association,” “financial services loan company,” “credit union,” “trust company,” “intrapacific bank,” “international banking corporation,” and “trust.”
• Use of the following terms requires state approval or certification: “certified public accountant,” “public accountant,” “CPA,” “PA,” “cooperative,” “escrow,” and “escrow depository.”

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

Distinguishability

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

• Spelling a number instead of using the numerical symbol for the number
• The names are pronounced the same, but spelled differently
• Including a suffix, affix, or prefix
• Using “n” or “-n-” between two or more words to connote “and” or the use of the letter “a” or the words “an,” “and,” “the,” “of,” “in,” “at,” “on,” “to,” or “for” or the Hawaiian language equivalent words of “da,” “ka,” “ke,” “na,” or “la.”
• Punctuation, spaces, or symbols
• Plural or possessive forms of words
• Abbreviations
• Using the phrase “of Hawaii,” or the word “Hawaii,” or its recognized abbreviation “HI” at the end of the name
• Using the word “Hawaii” or “Hawaiian” at the beginning of the name

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

2. Search for LLC Names

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 Hawaii Business Name 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 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The filing fee is $10.

5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search

Don’t risk your brand identity — perform a trademark search first. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s online tool to check if your chosen business name or logo is already protected. State-level LLC name approval isn’t a substitute for federal trademark clearance. If you need assistance, our guide to the top trademark services for startups is an excellent resource.

6. Form Your Hawaii LLC 

To form an LLC in the Aloha State, you need to file Articles of Organization with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This process legally establishes your business in paradise. Your Articles of Organization should include the LLC’s name, principal office address, registered agent information, and the names and addresses of the managers or managing members. Hawaii also requires you to specify the LLC’s duration if not perpetual, allowing you to set a specific lifespan for your company (if desired).

Hawaii LLC Name Search FAQ

Hawaii Business Resources