Forming an LLC requires a distinct business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Alabama’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out our LLC Name Search to learn more.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting an LLC in Alabama or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
How to Name an LLC in Alabama
Time needed: 5 minutes.
Here is a guideline on how to do an Alabama LLC name search. Check out LLC Naming Guidelines to learn more or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.
- Check Name Availability
Search the Business Entity Records in Alabama’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try searching for your trademark, business, or domain name using any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark meets the state’s requirements.
Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names. - Check Domain Availability
If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.
- File Name Reservation
A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name online, by mail, or in person with a $25 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Alabama. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to Secretary of State Business Services P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616.
Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC
- Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
- Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
- Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
- Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.
Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.
How to do an Alabama LLC Online Name Search
Business names are essential. When you’re starting an LLC in Alabama, choosing a name is hard as it will have to be appealing to customers and following some guidelines. To ensure that the name you want is still available, you may do an online search in several ways:
Search by the name
Once you reach the official business entity search page, just type in the business name in the search field to find out if it has already been used. To get a more refined search, you may fill out other details such as the following:
- Name
- Type
- Place of formation
- Principal City
- Status
After entering these details, press the search button. You will see a much better search result on the screen. You can check them out to help you decide.
Search by entity number
Another option is searching for a business entity is by entering the unique six-digit entity ID number. You just have to type the entity number in the search field and then press the search button. You will get all information about the LLC registered under the entity ID. Make sure to check the search results to ensure your LLC stands out.
Search by Agent, Officer, or Incorporator
Aside from the name and entity ID, you can also enter the name of the person connected with the business you want to find. You may also want to indicate the location of the LLC to get a better outcome.
Search by Month and Year
You can use the month and year when the entity was registered on the website of the Secretary of State to get information about all entities registered within the specific month or year.
Search by Date
If the month and year search yields many businesses, you should use the exact date when the business entity was formed or registered to get a more refined search. You can also use the place of formation to find all necessary details of the business.
Search by Reservation ID
Business entities are also required to have a business reservation number, which is generally found at the bottom-left corner of the reservation certificate. You may type in a reservation ID and you’ll find the information about the specific entity. Since the reservation ID is unique, you will have a more precise search result than using a name or date.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Alabama
To reserve an LLC name in Alabama you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Alabama Secretary State by mail, in person or online by paying a filing fee of $25.
Getting your business’ name registered in Alabama is the first step towards establishing your legal entity. The process can be done online or in person. A registered agent is required and you must have a physical office in Alabama. You can find a list of Alabama registered agents on the Alabama Secretary of State website. The IRS also requires an EIN, or federal tax identification number, for most businesses.
The Secretary of State maintains a large database of trade names and business information. Using this information you can do a quick search to see if your business’ name is available. If the name is, you can submit a request to reserve it for up to one year. A small fee of $25 is required to reserve it.
The Alabama Secretary of State also has an online service that allows you to file your Certificate of Formation for a small fee. This service is available for both domestic corporations and foreign corporations. The process is easy to follow and you can get your LLC up and running in no time. Getting your name registered in Alabama may not seem like much of a hassle, but there are some things you should know before you start.
The name is the most important thing to get right, so you should put some thought into choosing it. Make sure your name is unique and doesn’t contain words that might be confusing to customers or competitors. You also want to be sure your business name isn’t too similar to other businesses in the state.
The best way to see if your business’s name is available is to do a name check using the Alabama Secretary of State Office website. If the name you are considering is available, you can download a copy of it instantly. If the name you want is not available, you can choose another name. There are also services that will do a name check for you.
The other thing to consider when deciding on the best name for your Alabama business is that you may have to do business under a different name in the future. In this case, the name that you choose may not be suitable. To avoid this, you should consider reserving the name before you start your business.
The best way to determine which name is available is to use the LLC name availability checker. This tool will show you which names are available, as well as if there are any conflicts with other business’ names. It will also tell you if a name is available as a trademark. If a name is available as a trademark, you may be able to register the name for use on your company’s website or marketing material.
To get your business registered in Alabama, you may want to file the name you want to use with the Secretary of State. This is a great way to ensure that your business’ name isn’t stolen or misused by other businesses.
F.A.Qs
A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.
Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.
For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.
In Conclusion
LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name