DC LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein, founder of LLCBuddy, is a specialist in corporate formations, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners through the LLC process. LLCBuddy provides a wealth of streamlined resources such as guides, articles, and FAQs, making LLC establishment seamless. The diligent editorial staff makes sure content is accurate, up-to-date information on topics like state-specific requirements, registered agents, and compliance. Steve's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship makes LLCBuddy an essential and trustworthy resource for launching and running an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adhere to the guidelines. The great thing is DC’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 LLC in DC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in DC

Time needed: 5 minutes

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 a DC LLC Online Name Search

As a part of the registration process, it is important to have a suitable name for your LLC in accordance with the guidelines of the State. When you are selecting a name for your LLC, you need to search on the DC State website if the chosen name is unique and available for registration or not. Look at the following points and know about them.

Register your Account

Visit the official page of the District of Columbia Secretary of State. Register your account on the DCRA CorpOnline Web Portal by selecting the “sign-up” option. Or click on “Sign-in with Access DC” if you have already registered your account with DC.gov.

After clicking on the “Sign-up” option, the page for registration of your account will look like this. Fill in your details for user registration such as your name and address and confirm your username and password and submit the form.

Enter the name

After you navigate to the search page, type your proposed name in the “Inquiry” box. You can also choose among the different available filters and conduct a broad search or narrow down your search entry by applying filters by choosing radio buttons.

Perform the Search

Search the availability of the chosen name on the website. If the proposed business name is already in use, the page will display the relevant details of the competing business. Upon performing any name search on the given page, a list of entities with the relevant name, their file number, effective date, status, locale, and qualifier shall pop up on the screen. Conduct thorough research of the name by using the provided filters such as entity name, business ID, etc. before filing it with the Authorities.

You can also visit the D.C. Trademark records or the USPTO’s Federal Electronic Records to search if your business name is already in use by some other trademark slogans or logos in the DC.

After selecting a name, you can file an application for reservation of your LLC Name for 120 days with the DCRA.

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 District of Columbia

To reserve an LLC name in District of Columbia you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $50.

To reserve an LLC name in the District of Columbia, you must first conduct a search to ensure the name you wish to use is not already in use by another business. Conducting this search is important to avoid any potential legal issues down the line and ensures that your LLC will have a distinct and recognizable name. The District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) provides a search tool on their website that allows you to check if the name you want is available.

If the name you wish to use is available, you can proceed with reserving the name online through the DCRA’s Corporate Online Registry and Integrated System (CORIS). This online platform makes it easy for you to reserve your desired LLC name from the comfort of your own home or office. The reservation will protect the name for up to 120 days, giving you the time needed to complete the necessary paperwork to officially establish your LLC.

When reserving your LLC name in the District of Columbia, you will need to provide some basic information, such as your name, address, and contact details. You will also need to pay a small fee to reserve the name, which can typically be done online using a credit or debit card. The fee for reserving an LLC name in the District of Columbia is quite reasonable and is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing that your preferred name is secured.

Once you have successfully reserved your LLC name, you can proceed with completing the necessary paperwork to officially establish your business entity in the District of Columbia. This typically involves filing articles of organization with the DCRA and paying the required filing fee. Having already reserved your LLC name will make this process smoother and more streamlined, saving you time and effort in the long run.

In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in the District of Columbia is a simple and straightforward process that can be completed online through the DCRA’s CORIS platform. Taking the time to reserve your desired name will help establish your branding, differentiate your business from competitors, and ensure potential customers can easily find you. By following the steps outlined above, you can secure your preferred LLC name and take the first important step towards building a successful business in the District of Columbia.

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

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