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 Louisiana Business Filings Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Louisiana Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Louisiana.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
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 Louisiana LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or the abbreviations “L.L.C.” or “L.C.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Louisiana reserved names.
- Names of low-profit limited liability companies must include the words “low-profit limited liability company,” the abbreviation “L3C,” or the abbreviation “l3c.”
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.
Louisiana also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name can’t imply that the LLC is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Organization.
- You must have approval to include certain words:
- You must have approval from the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board to include the words “engineer,” “engineering,” “surveyor,” “surveying,” (or any variations of these words).
- You must have approval from the commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions to include any of the following words: “bank,” “banker,” “banking,” “savings,” “safe deposit,” “trust,” “trustee,” “building and loan,” “homestead,” or “credit union.”
- Your name can’t include the word “insurance” unless the LLC is an independent insurance agency or brokerage firm.
- Your name can’t contain the phrase “doing business as” or the abbreviation “d/b/a.”
For more information, check out Louisiana’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Louisiana, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Conduct a State LLC Name Search
To ensure your LLC’s name is distinguishable in the state of Louisiana, you’ll need to conduct a search of business entities within the state. You can check your business name availability by searching the Louisiana Business Filings 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 Louisiana 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 by mail with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
Don’t risk your brand’s future — perform a diligent trademark search. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website offers a powerful tool to check for existing trademarks that might conflict with your chosen business name or logo. Keep in mind that state-level LLC name approval isn’t a substitute for federal trademark clearance. For professional assistance, explore our curated list of trademark services for startups.
6. Form Your Louisiana LLC
Louisiana allows you to form an LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This process establishes your company’s legal presence in the Pelican State. Your Articles of Organization must include the LLC’s name, purpose, duration (if not perpetual), and registered agent details. Louisiana also requires you to provide the name and address of each organizer, ensuring transparency in the formation process.
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Start NowStart NowLouisiana LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Louisiana?
You can use the Louisiana Business Filings 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 Louisiana 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.
Louisiana also prohibits LLCs from having the following words in their names without prior state approval: “engineer,” “engineering,” “surveyor,” “surveying,” “bank,” “banker,” “banking,” “savings,” “safe deposit,” “trust,” “trustee,” “building and loan,” “homestead,” “credit union,” “insurance,” “doing business as,” or “d/b/a.”
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. Louisiana requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “L.L.C.” or “L.C.”) in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in Louisiana?
Louisiana doesn’t require LLCs to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every 10 years.
You can renew a trade name online or by mail. The filing fee is $75.
Learn more about trade names with our Louisiana DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
In Louisiana, LLC trade names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Louisiana 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 Louisiana DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Louisiana from the drop-down menu.