Illinois LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein 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 Illinois’ 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 Illinois LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Illinois

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing an Illinois 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 Illinois’ 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 $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 Illinois. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Secretary of State Department of Business Services Limited Liability Division 501 S 2nd Street, Room 351, Springfield, IL 62756.

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.

How To Do an Illinois LLC Online Name Search

As a part of your LLC registration process, it is important to have a suitable name for your LLC in accordance with the State naming guidelines. So, when you select a name for your LLC, you also need to run a quick search on the Illinois Business Entity Search page to check whether the name is unique and there is no other business running in the State with the same name.

1. Access the Business Entity Search Tool on the State website

The Illinois Secretary of State website offers a Business Entity Search Tool to assist you in finalizing a name for your business LLC. This tool is helpful in deciding the uniqueness and availability of the name. Also, keep a list of backup names ready, so you can select a final name in a few attempts.

2. Run the Search

After you navigate to the Search page, you can run the search by Business name. To begin the search process, you need to enter the name in the blank space under the ‘Entity name’ heading and then click on the “Search” tab after clearing the captcha.

Perform the Search

You can also conduct the search using other available options, such as Name, Keyword, or partial word. Using such filters can give you more refined results such as giving you the list of businesses running with exact names, or having similar keywords, or even a single matching word.

While conducting the search, you can exclude usage of identifiers such as “LLC” to access wider results from different forms of business structures running in a similar name. Conduct thorough research of the name by using the provided filters before filing it with the Authorities. You can also refer to the ‘Search instructions’ provided on the search tool page.

If you also wish to use a Trademark for the distinct identity of your business in the State, you can run a trademark search on the Trademark Database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to see whether the chosen name is already in use by any other business entity.

If you also plan on conducting your business online through a website, you should also check if a domain name similar to your chosen business name is available or not.

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 Illinois

To reserve an LLC name in Illinois you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Illinois Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $25.

The process of reserving an LLC name in Illinois is relatively simple and can be done online through the secretary of state’s website. The fee for reserving a name is minimal, but the benefits of securing your chosen name early on are invaluable.

To start the process of reserving a name for your LLC in Illinois, you will first need to conduct a search to see if your desired name is available. The secretary of state’s website provides a database where you can search existing company names to avoid any duplicates or conflicts. It is essential to choose a unique name that is not already in use by another business entity.

Once you have verified that your chosen name is available, you can begin the reservation process. You will need to fill out a simple online form and pay the required fee to secure your desired name for a period of up to 90 days. This reservation period gives you time to prepare your LLC formation documents without the risk of losing out on your preferred name.

Reserving a name for your LLC in Illinois is a critical step in establishing your business and ensuring that your brand identity is protected. By taking the time to secure your desired name early on, you can avoid any potential conflicts or confusion with other companies using similar names. This extra precaution can save you time and money in the long run by preventing any legal disputes or rebranding efforts down the line.

In addition to reserving your LLC name, it is essential to follow through with the necessary steps to officially register your business entity with the state of Illinois. This process involves filing articles of organization and meeting other state requirements to obtain your official LLC status. By reserving your name early on, you can streamline the registration process and move forward with establishing your business without any delays.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in Illinois is a straightforward process that provides invaluable benefits for your business. By securing your desired name early on, you can establish a strong brand identity and protect your business from potential conflicts or confusion with other companies. Taking this simple step can set the foundation for your business success and pave the way for a smooth registration process with the state of Illinois.

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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