Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Hawaii’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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii
Time needed: 5 minutes.
There are guidelines to follow in doing a Hawaii 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.
- Check Name Availability
Search the Business Entity Records in Hawaii’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 $10 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Hawaii. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Business Registration Division, 335 Merchant Street, P.O. Box 40, Honolulu, Hawaii 96810.
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.
Hawaii LLC Name Search (Online)
Naming an LLC is a vital part when it comes to starting an LLC in Hawaii. Before you name your LLC, it is necessary to check if the desired name is available to use. To check the availability of your business name online, one must visit the Hawaii Government website. Here’s how you can search for your LLC name online if you are starting a Hawaii LLC.
Steps to Check LLC Names Online
- Visit the Hawaii Business Express site. On the home page, you will get the option of searching LLC names. There are two ways to search for the desired business name. Enter the LLC name you desire to have. Any name that begins with the word/name can be searched.
2. As one hits the Search button, any LLC or business with similar names will appear in the search list. If there is no such name, then easily you can have the name for your LLC.
3. Another option for searching an LLC name is to mention important terms that contain in the name. Same way, you can hit the Search button to get the list of Entity names in Hawaii.
4. Once you will get the list, you can select what will be the name of your LLC. You can also build an Entity List online on the Hawaii Government website.
LLC names are the most important part while forming an LLC in Hawaii. One can read the naming guidelines in Hawaii. Depending on the guidelines, you can name your LLC. You can also file the naming request easily in Hawaii.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Hawaii
To reserve an LLC name in Hawaii you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Hawaii Secretary of State by mail for $10 or online by paying a filing fee of $7.50.
When starting a new business in Hawaii, one of the first steps you need to take is registering your Limited Liability Company (LLC) with the state. A vital part of this process is deciding on a name for your company and reserving it with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
Reserving your LLC Name in Hawaii is crucial to ensure that another business does not take your desired name and prevents potential legal disputes in the future. The process of reserving an LLC name is relatively simple and straightforward. The state of Hawaii allows business owners to reserve their desired company name for a period of 120 days, which can be extended for an additional 120 days if necessary.
To reserve an LLC name in Hawaii, you will need to visit the DCCA website and submit a Name Reservation Request. Completing the form is relatively simple, but you will need to have a few things ready before starting:
1. Choose an LLC name. Be sure to do your research and ensure that the name is unique, distinguishable, and not already in use by another business. Remember, your LLC name should also comply with Hawaii naming restrictions and requirements.
2. Choose a registered agent. A registered agent is there to receive and forward legal documents on behalf of the LLC, so ensure the person you choose is authorized to meet the responsibility.
3. Have all required information ready. The requirements needed to register your LLC for Hawaii includes having the name for your business, consent-to-serve documents for your registered agent, and registration fees set into an overall bundle package costing roughly around $50
After submitting the form and paying the $10 fee, you will typically receive a response from the DCCA within a matter of days. If your LLC name is available, you will receive a name reservation confirmation from the state, allowing you exclusive use of that name in Hawaii for 120 days.
It is important to note that reserving an LLC name does not register your business; it simply ensures that the name you have chosen will be available to use when you register your LLC. Therefore, it is advisable to reserve an LLC name soon after finalizing the name to prevent it from being taken by another business during the registration process.
In summary, the process of reserving an LLC name in Hawaii is essential in starting a new business in the state. By doing so, future business initiation costs and maintenance fees can be reduced. Before starting the reservation process, we suggest researching your business name with the DCCA in the states online search system to avoid an already popular business name. Choosing a Registered Agent after selecting your LLC name is very necessary to regularly receive legal information beneficial to the business. Finally, with a considerably small fee and the correct eligibility factors, business owners can ensure that their desired name will be protected and receive ownership claims for a duration of 120 days, a more-than reasonable amount of time to finalize company information.
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
