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 Washington Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Washington Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Washington.
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Start NowHow to Check if Your Washington 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 Washington.
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 Washington LLC names include:
- Your name must contain the words “limited liability company,” the words “limited liability” and the abbreviation “Co.,” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” or “LLC.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Washington 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.
Additionally, Washington LLC names can’t include any of the following words or abbreviations: “cooperative,” “partnership,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” “Corp.,” “Ltd.,” “Inc.,” “LP,” “L.P.,” “LLP,” “L.L.P.,” “LLLP,” “L.L.L.P,” or any words or phrases prohibited by any state statute.
For more information, check out Washington’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other business names. In Washington, a distinguishable name is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Washington:
- Business entity type identifiers
- Articles and conjunctions
- Punctuation, capitalization, and special characters
- Abbreviations and plural forms of words
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Search Washington Business Names
The first step you need to complete is a Washington business entity search. This will help to verify if any existing business in the state already uses your chosen business name. You can check your business name availability by searching the Washington Business 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.
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4. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
The final search you need to complete for your LLC name is a trademark search. This search helps to identify any existing trademarks on your business name or logo to help you avoid legal complications with the use of either.
Visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website and search for potential matches. Keep in mind that even if your LLC name is available within your state, you still need to make sure your brand elements don’t infringe on existing trademarks.
For additional help, visit our review of the best trademark services for startups.
5. Reserve Your LLC Name
You can choose to reserve an LLC name in Washington for up to 180 days before you officially form your LLC. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself. However, it’s not required by the state.
You can file a name reservation by mail with the Washington Secretary of State. The filing fee is $30.
6. Form Your Washington LLC
Once you complete your business name search, you’ll need to register your business with the state to secure your chosen name. To form an LLC in the Evergreen State, you must file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State either by mail or via the state website.
Your Certificate of Formation must include the entity name and principal office address, effective date and duration, and registered agent information. Many entrepreneurs choose to work with an LLC formation service to ensure this filing is completed and filed accurately.
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Start NowWashington LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Washington?
You can use the Washington Business 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 Washington 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, Washington LLC names can’t include any of the following words or abbreviations: “cooperative,” “partnership,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” “Corp.,” “Ltd.,” “Inc.,” “LP,” “L.P.,” “LLP,” “L.L.P.,” “LLLP,” “L.L.L.P,” or any words or phrases prohibited by any state statute.
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. Washington requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company,” or the words “limited liability” and the abbreviation “Co.,” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in Washington?
Washington doesn’t require LLCs to renew their name.
Learn more about trade names with our Washington DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Washington?
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 Washington.
In Washington, LLC trade names are filed with the Department of Revenue.
Learn more about trade names with our Washington 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 Washington DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Washington from the drop-down menu.