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.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
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.
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.
One key step in starting a limited liability company (LLC) in Arizona is to reserve the desired company name before submitting incorporation paperwork. Reserving a name helps ensure that the name is available and prevents others from using it before the company can be established. Fortunately, reserving an LLC name in Arizona is a fairly straightforward process.
The first step in reserving an LLC name in Arizona is to visit the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website, which offers an easy-to-use online filing system. Alternatively, the LLC name reservation form can also be filed by mail. The form requires basic information about the desired LLC name and the person or entity seeking to reserve it.
It’s important to note that Arizona law requires LLC names to be distinguishable from all existing business names, including those that have been reserved or incorporated. Consequently, it’s important to conduct a name availability search on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website before attempting to reserve a name. This search will reveal any existing business entities or reserved names that are similar to the desired LLC name. If the desired LLC name is too similar to an existing name, the reservation request may be denied.
Once the LLC name reservation form has been filled out, it should be filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission along with the appropriate fee. At the time of this writing, the fee for LLC name reservation in Arizona is $10. This processing fee is non-refundable, even if the reservation request is not approved.
After the Corporation Commission receives the reservation request and fee, it will review the request to ensure that the desired LLC name is available. Typically, this process takes two to three business days. If the name is available, the Corporation Commission will issue a name reservation certificate that is valid for 120 days. This certificate can be used as proof that the LLC name has been reserved and can be included in the paperwork when the LLC is formally established.
In summary, reserving an LLC name in Arizona is a quick and easy process that can be completed online or by mail. The key steps include conducting a name availability search, filling out the name reservation form, and submitting the form along with the appropriate fee. With a little bit of patience and attention to detail, entrepreneurs can secure their desired LLC name and take one step closer to establishing their new business.
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
