Nebraska 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 Nebraska Corporate & Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.

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

How to Check if Your Nebraska LLC Name Is Available

Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps. Read on for an overview of what you need to do.

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 Nebraska LLC names include:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (e.g., “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”).
• Your name must not be the same as — or deceptively similar to — any existing business in the state. This includes Nebraska 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.

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

Distinguishability

It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Nebraska, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.

2. Conduct a State Name Search

The first search you need to complete is with the state. This ensures your chosen business name isn’t already in use by another existing business. You can search for an LLC name in Nebraska in three different ways: 

• Online: You can check your business name’s availability by searching the Nebraska Corporate & Business Search online database.
• By Email: You can email the Nebraska Secretary of State at [email protected] for a preliminary name availability screening.
• By Mail: You can mail the Nebraska Secretary of State at the following address for a preliminary name availability screening:
  • Secretary of State’s Office
    Business Services Division
    P.O. Box 94608
    Lincoln, NE 68509-4608

We recommend emailing or mailing the Secretary of State for preliminary name approval — even if the Nebraska Corporate & Business Search online database shows your chosen name as available.

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 Nebraska 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 by mail with the Nebraska Secretary of State. The filing fee is $30.

5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search

Protect your business identity with a meticulous trademark search that ensures your business name also is available on a federal level. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)‘s online database to check if your desired name or logo is already trademarked. Remember, state-level LLC name availability doesn’t ensure federal trademark clearance. Need professional guidance? Our review of the best trademark services for emerging businesses can help.

6. Form Your Nebraska LLC 

Finally, once you determine that your LLC name is available, you need to register your new business with the state. To form an LLC in Nebraska, you need to file a Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State. 

Your Certificate of Organization should include the LLC’s name, its registered agent information, and its effective date if you want a date other than the filing date.

Nebraska LLC Name Search FAQ

Nebraska Business Resources