Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Georgia’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 Georgia 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 Georgia
Time needed: 10 minutes.
There are guidelines to follow in forming an LLC. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines.
- Check Name Availability
Search the Business Entity Records on Georgia’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 $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 Georgia. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Office of Secretary of State, Corporations Division, Name Reservation Request, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.
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 Georgia LLC Online Name Search
Having a unique name for your business is necessary while you are forming an LLC in Georgia. There are the things you need to know when you are searching for an LLC name in Georgia. There are a bunch of guidelines to check out before you decide on names for your business.
To search for your business name in Georgia, you need to go to the Georgia Secretary of State website.
To search the business name, one has to visit the online service page of the Georgia Secretary of State Corporation Division website. Go to the “Business Search” tab on the homepage and click on it.
One can search for Business names in three different ways. Below are the details of the three ways to LLC name search in Georgia.
Business Search
In this section, one has to enter the name that they have for their LLC. There are three options in this section. ‘Starts with’, ‘Exact Match’, and ‘Contains’, are the options that one can use to search the LLC name. Each option will show similar or the same business names (if any) and their details.
There are boxes like registered agent name, officer name, and control number. These sections narrow down the search. However, these are not mandatory fields to be filed.
Service of Process Search
In this section, you can enter the defender’s name, plaintiff’s name, civil action number, and so on to search the business details. As you enter the details and hit the Search button, you will see the list of similar or the same businesses.
Trademark Search
Finally, in this section, one can search for business entities by providing trademark information. Registration number, Mark name, registrar’s name, and some other information should be given to get the business details.
Points to be noted:
- Trademark search only shows the businesses that are registered under the Georgia Secretary of State. Businesses that are registered as foreign, different states, or under federal are not shown in the result
- If the name you are searching for has no result to show then the name is not taken yet.
- If you find a bunch of similar names in the list then it must not be unique and can be easily mixed up with other existing companies.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Georgia
To reserve an LLC name in Georgia you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Georgia Secretary of State by mail for $35 or online by paying a filing fee of $25.
When starting a business, one of the crucial steps is to reserve a name for your LLC. The right name sets the tone for your brand and sets you apart from competitors. In Georgia, LLC name reservation is a straightforward process.
First, you need to visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website and navigate to the business section. There, you can search to see if the name you want is available or already taken. If the name is available, you can move forward with reserving it.
To reserve a name, you will need to fill out a reservation application available on the site, which includes the name of the LLC, the address of the principal place of business, the name and address of the individual forming the LLC, and the reason for reserving the name. You can either complete a printable PDF application and mail it in or use the online application for a quicker result.
The reservation fee is $25, making reserving a name an affordable option for entrepreneurs on a budget. Keep in mind that a name reservation lasts for 30 days and can be renewed for an additional period of time.
A key point to note is that reserving a name does not mean you have registered your LLC. To register your LLC, you must submit Articles of Incorporation to the Georgia Secretary of State. This filing fee is also $100, and your application must include a cover letter, along with other necessary forms and legal documents.
It’s crucial to do your due diligence before selecting a name, especially if you want to use a name that has already been taken. So, before reserving a name, consider conducting a trademark search to ensure there are no existing trademarks or intellectual property issues tied to that name, which could result in a costly legal hassle.
In Georgia, the name reservation process is just the tip of the iceberg when registering an LLC. Take care to check all that is necessary to do to legally and comprehensively establish your LLC.
In conclusion, reserving a name for your LLC is an affordable and an easy process in Georgia. Checking and reserving the name is vital to ensuring the credibility, greater chances, and solid foundation for the growth and success of your endeavor in the incredible state of Georgia.
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
