Hawaii LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
Business Formation Expert
Steve runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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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.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

Check Name Availability
Reserve Name Online
Download Reservation form

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

  1. 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.

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 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.

The first step in reserving an LLC name in Hawaii is conducting a name search to ensure that the name you wish to use is available. To do this, you can visit the Hawaii Business Express website and use the business name search feature. This tool allows you to search for existing business names to determine if your desired LLC name is already in use.

Once you have determined that your desired LLC name is available, you can move on to the next step, which is submitting a Name Reservation Request Form. This form can be submitted either online through the Hawaii Business Express website or by mail to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Along with the form, you will need to provide a $10 reservation fee.

When submitting the Name Reservation Request Form, it is important to include all necessary information, including the desired LLC name, the name and contact information of the person reserving the name, and the duration for which the name is being reserved. Typically, a name reservation in Hawaii is valid for 120 days.

After submitting the form and fee, you will receive a confirmation that the name has been reserved. It is important to keep this confirmation for your records, as you will need to provide it when filing your Articles of Organization to officially register your LLC with the state.

While reserving an LLC name in Hawaii is a relatively straightforward process, there are a few important points to keep in mind. Firstly, it is crucial to choose a name that is distinctive and not confusingly similar to existing business names. This will help prevent any potential legal issues in the future.

Additionally, it is important to understand that reserving a name does not grant you any rights to use the name in connection with your business activities. To officially secure the name for your LLC, you will need to file your Articles of Organization with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in Hawaii is a crucial step in the process of starting a business. By following the necessary steps and ensuring that your desired name is available and meets all legal requirements, you can help streamline the process of establishing your LLC and avoid potential complications down the road. With a bit of attention to detail and careful planning, you can successfully reserve a name for your LLC and set yourself up for success in the world of business.

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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