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

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

How to Check if Your Tennessee 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 Tennessee. 

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 Tennessee LLC names include:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” one of its abbreviations (e.g., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”), or words or abbreviations of the same meaning in a different language.
• Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Tennessee 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.

Tennessee also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

• Your name can’t contain the word “corporation” or “incorporated” or an abbreviation of either.
• Your name can’t falsely imply your LLC is organized as, affiliated with, or sponsored by any fraternal, veterans’, service, religious, charitable, or professional organization.
• Your name can’t imply the LLC is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Organization.

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

Distinguishability

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

The following differences generally make a name distinguishable in Tennessee:

• Different letters or words
• A different order of letters or words
• Singular vs. plural forms of words

The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Tennessee:

• Business entity type identifiers
• Punctuation
• Capitalization
• Use of articles, conjunctions, and prepositions

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

2. Search for LLC Names

To ensure no existing business already uses your chosen business name, you’ll need to complete a state name search. You can check your business name availability by searching the Tennessee Business Name Availability 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 Tennessee 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 submitting Form SS-9425 – Application for Name Reservation to the Tennessee Secretary of State. The filing fee is $20.

5. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search

A trademark search is an essential step toward securing your chosen business name. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)‘s online database to check if your desired business name or logo is already trademarked. Remember, state-level LLC name availability doesn’t ensure federal trademark clearance. Need professional help? Our guide to the top trademark services for startups is an excellent resource.

6. Form Your Tennessee LLC 

Once you complete your business name search, your final step is to register your business and secure your business name. Tennessee allows you to form an LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This process establishes your company’s legal existence in the Volunteer State. 

Your Articles of Organization must include the LLC’s name, principal office address, registered agent details, and effective date (if different from the filing date). Tennessee also requires you to specify whether the LLC will be managed by members or managers.

Tennessee LLC Name Search FAQ

Tennessee Business Resources