Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Arizona’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 an Arizona LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.
How to Name an LLC in Arizona
Time needed: 10 minutes
There are guidelines to follow in forming an LLC. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines 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 Arizona’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. - 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 $45 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Arizona. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to 1300 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007-2996
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 Arizona LLC Online Name Search
We all know that it is so important to have a unique and distinguishable name for the LLC. Without the name, it won’t be possible for customers to have good knowledge about the company. So, selecting a name can be a very tricky yet confusing process for a lot of people. But what if the name you decided was already taken by some other LLC? That can be bad.
But what if you choose some options of names and check on a prior basis if they are available or not? That can help a lot and it can also help the owner not to waste any time filing for the certificate of formation too. So here, check out how you can search for the potential names on the official website of the Secretary of State of Arizona
By name
You can search for the business entity by searching for the name. You just have to type in the potential name that you think goes well for the company. Once you do that, just press the search button and you will get the results.
By File number
You can add the file number, trademark, or partnership file number in this one. Once you fill in the file number, all you have to do is press the search option and the results would pop up.
By the name of the owner or the agent
If you select the option of owner or agent and fill in the name of the people, you will get the results of business entities that are related. You will be able to check the name of the entity and other information about it with the help of this.
Things to keep in mind
- If a message about no search results pops up, then it means that the name is not being issued by any other company.
- If the name you searched for brings out a result, then the name is not available for use.
- If the results have similar names but not exactly what you were looking for, then the name is not unique and distinguishable at all.
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.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Arizona
To reserve an LLC name in Arizona you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Arizona Secretary State by mail, in person by paying a filing fee of $10 or online by paying $45.
The process of reserving an LLC name in Arizona is relatively straightforward but requires attention to detail to ensure that your desired business moniker is available for use. Before initiating the reservation process, it is essential to conduct thorough research to ensure that the name you have in mind is not already in use by another business in the state. This can be done by conducting a search on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website or by enlisting the services of a professional trademark search firm.
Once you have determined that your desired name is available, you can proceed with reserving it for your LLC. The first step in the reservation process is to fill out the necessary form provided by the Arizona Corporation Commission. This form typically requires you to provide basic information about your business, including its name, registered agent, and principal place of business.
Upon completing the form, you will need to submit it to the Arizona Corporation Commission along with the required filing fee. The reservation fee in Arizona is relatively nominal, making it an affordable option for securing your desired LLC name. It is important to note that the reservation of a name does not provide legal protection or ownership rights to the name. It simply reserves the name for a limited period, giving you time to complete the necessary paperwork to form your LLC.
The reservation of an LLC name in Arizona typically lasts for 120 days, during which time you must file the necessary paperwork to establish your LLC formally. If you fail to do so within the specified timeframe, you will forfeit the reservation, and the name will once again be available for use by other businesses.
Reserving an LLC name can be a valuable first step in the process of establishing your business in Arizona. Not only does it give you time to complete the necessary paperwork, but it also helps to ensure that your desired business name remains available for use.
In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in Arizona is a crucial step in establishing your business identity and protecting your brand. By conducting thorough research, filling out the necessary form, and submitting it to the Arizona Corporation Commission, you can secure your desired business name and take the first step towards building a successful LLC.
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