Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Corporate Database tool to see if your name is unique.

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

How to Check if Your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. 

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 Rhode Island LLC names include:

• Your name must end in either the words “limited liability company” or the uppercase or lowercase letters “l.l.c.” — with or without punctuation.
• If your company is organized as a low-profit, limited liability company, its name must end with either the words “low-profit, limited liability company” or the abbreviation “L3C” or “l3c.”
• Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island’s official state statutes.

Distinguishability

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

• Articles
• Plural forms of words
• An obvious misspelling of the same name or word
• Abbreviations 
• Variations of the same word
• Entity type identifiers
• The addition of a numeric designation
• Punctuation or special characters
• Capitalization
• Spacing
• Numbers written as numerals vs. words

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’ll need to complete is for existing businesses already using your chosen business name. This is a crucial step in verifying that your business name is distinguishable. You can check your business name availability by searching the Rhode Island Corporate 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Department of State. The filing fee is $50.

5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search

This essential step involves checking the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to ensure your intended business name or logo isn’t already claimed. Just because your state approves an LLC name, that doesn’t mean it’s clear of federal trademark conflicts. Similarities in appearance, sound, or meaning could lead to legal issues down the road. 

While you can conduct a basic search yourself, the intricacies of trademark law often warrant professional assistance. Many startups find value in specialized trademark services that can navigate the complexities of the search process and provide expert guidance on potential conflicts or infringement risks.

6. Form Your Rhode Island LLC 

After you determine that your business name is available, the next step is to secure it by registering your business with the state. To form an LLC, you need to file Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Department of State. This document officially brings your business into existence. 

Your Articles of Organization should include the LLC’s name, principal office address, registered agent information, and management structure. Rhode Island also requires manager-managed LLCs to provide the name and address of each manager, adding transparency to your business formation.

Rhode Island LLC Name Search FAQ

Rhode Island Business Resources