Washington State LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Washington State’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting a Washington State LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Washington State

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing a Washington State LLC name search. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records in Washington State’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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 $30 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Washington State. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to Secretary of State Corporation Division 801 Capitol Way S P.O. Box 40234 Olympia, Washington 98504-0234.

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 Washington LLC Online Name Search

Business names are equally important. You are required to select a name that is appealing as well as that follows certain guidelines. To check for the name availability, you can try the Washington LLC name search option. Following are the ways in which you can search for any business entity.

By Business Name

To search by the business name, you need to provide the details like business type, business status, and expiration date along with the name of the business in the fields provided. For more refined results, you can also provide a start and end date of registration. Once you press enter, you will get the details of the business entity.

By Registered Agent

Another way to try a business search is by the agent’s name. You need to provide the name of the agent in the search field. You can also provide an address in the search tab. Once you click or press enter, you will get the information about the business registered with the agent’s name provided.

By Governor Name

You can also search for the business entity name by the governor’s name. You have to enter the name in the field provided and press enter.

By Trademark

One more method to search for a business entity name is the trademark search. You have to provide the details like trademark owner name, trademark status, trademark text, etc., and click on the search button. The results displayed will help you in selecting the business name.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

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.

What if my name is unavailable?

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.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Washington

To reserve an LLC name in Washington you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Washington Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $30. It can be expedited by paying an additional amount.

Reserving an LLC name in Washington is a straightforward process that can be completed online through the Washington Secretary of State’s website. By reserving your LLC name, you are essentially putting a hold on that specific name for a certain period, giving you the time needed to prepare and file your LLC formation documents without the risk of someone else taking the name in the meantime.

To reserve an LLC name in Washington, you will need to search the Washington Secretary of State’s corporation database to ensure that your desired name is available for use. It is important to choose a name that is unique and distinguishable from existing businesses in the state to avoid any potential conflicts or legal issues down the line.

Once you have verified that your desired LLC name is available, you can proceed with the reservation process online. You will be required to fill out a reservation form with your contact information, the name you wish to reserve, and the duration for which you want to hold the name (up to 180 days).

There is a nominal fee associated with reserving an LLC name in Washington, typically around $30. While this may seem like an unnecessary expense for some, reserving your LLC name is a prudent investment to secure your desired business identity and prevent any potential legal disputes in the future. It is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business name is protected.

By reserving your LLC name, you are also signaling to your customers, investors, and competitors that you are serious about your business and committed to building a reputable brand. Your LLC name is the first point of contact for many potential customers, and having a strong, memorable name can set you apart from the competition and leave a lasting impression.

In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in Washington is a critical step in the process of starting a business. It not only ensures that your desired name is available for use but also provides you with a valuable asset that can help shape the identity and success of your business. By taking the time to reserve your LLC name, you are investing in the future of your business and setting yourself up for long-term success.

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

1 thought on “Washington State LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC”

  1. How do I obtain an entity name? I was an LLC before at one time and it had a chosen name by my business partner and I under entity and DBA was the business name for example..
    Entity: Fafo
    DBA: Day and night glass

    Reply

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