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 North Carolina Business Entity Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our North Carolina Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in North Carolina.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
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 North Carolina LLC names include:
- Your name must contain one of the following: “limited liability company,” “ltd. liability co.,” “limited liability co.,” “ltd. liability company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business name in the state. This includes 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 North Carolina’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In North Carolina, 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 North Carolina:
- Designation of business entity type
- Articles
- Conjunctions
- Prepositions
- Punctuation
- Spaces
- Use of numeral vs. written numbers
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Perform a State LLC Name Search
The first business name search you need to complete is at the state level. This allows you to determine if another business is already using your chosen business name. You can check your business name availability by searching the North Carolina Business Entity 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 North Carolina 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 with the North Carolina Secretary of State by submitting an Application to Reserve a Business Entity Name form by mail. The filing fee is $30.
5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
Don’t risk your business’s future — conduct a comprehensive trademark search. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)‘s online database to check for existing trademarks that might conflict with your chosen business name or logo. Remember, state-level LLC name availability doesn’t ensure federal trademark clearance. Need expert help? Our guide to the best trademark services for startups can point you in the right direction.
6. Form Your North Carolina LLC
After conducting a thorough LLC name search, the next step is to formally register your business with the state. To form an LLC in North Carolina, you must file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This crucial step establishes your business’s legal presence.
Your Articles of Organization should include the LLC’s name, principal office address, and registered agent details. North Carolina also requires you to provide the name and address of each person executing the Articles or Organization, adding a personal element to the formation process.
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Start NowNorth Carolina LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in North Carolina?
You can use the North Carolina Business Entity Search tool to see if your preferred 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 North Carolina 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, North Carolina requires LLCs to secure approval from the state to use any of the following words in their name: “bank,” “banker,” “banking cooperative,” “co-op,” “mutual,” “trust,” “architect,” “architecture,” “architectural,” “certified public accountant (CPA),” “engineer,” “engineering,” “insurance,” “pharmacy,” “prescription drug,” “drug,” “prescription,” “Rx,” “apothecary,” “realtor,” “surveyor,” “survey,” “surveying,” and “wholesale.”.
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. North Carolina requires that its LLCs use “limited liability company,” “ltd. liability co.,” “limited liability co.,” “ltd. liability company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in North Carolina?
North Carolina doesn’t require LLCs to renew their name.
Learn more about assumed business names with our North Carolina DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in North Carolina?
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 an assumed business name in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, assumed business names are filed with the county or counties where you do business.
Learn more about assumed business names with our North Carolina 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 North Carolina DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting North Carolina from the drop-down menu.