Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Rhode Island’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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Time needed: 5 minutes.
There are guidelines to follow in doing a Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island’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 $50 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Rhode Island. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Office of the Secretary of State Corporations Division 148 W. River Street Providence, Rhode Island 02904-2615.
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 Rhode Island LLC Online Name Search
Naming a business is one of the fundamental steps. But it can be hard at times because the name you want should be available also. For this purpose, you can run a Rhode Island LLC name search. There are the following ways to search for the availability of any business entity name:
Search by Entity Name
Once you land on the Rhode Island SOS page, you can search by using the entity name. Enter the name in the search field provided. You can refine your search by the ‘search type’ option.
Search by Individual Name
Another option available for business entity search is by individual name. Type the first, middle, and last names in the provided fields. Select the type in the ‘Search type’ dropdown list. Press enter and you will get the list of businesses available.
Search by Identification Number
You can also try to search for a business entity through an Identification number. You just need to enter the 9-digit identification number in the field provided, then press enter.
Search by Filing Number
One more way to search for the business name availability is by the filing number. You have to enter this 12-digit number in the search tab, and press enter. You will get the details of the business registered against the provided number.
Search by Agent
This is another method to search for names available. You have to type the agent name in the search tab and press enter. For refining your search, you can select the options in the ‘search type’ dropdown list.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Rhode Island
To reserve an LLC name in Rhode Island you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Rhode Island Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $50.
If you are creating or planning to start a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Rhode Island, one of the first steps you need to take is to reserve a name for your business. This process involves obtaining a legal right to the chosen name before starting any formal registration process. While this may seem like a straightforward process, there are specific guidelines and protocols that business owners must follow to reserve an LLC name in Rhode Island successfully.
LLC name reservation improves your chances of submitting the desired company name accurately. This process serves as a way to preserve their name choice until you have completed the necessary steps to register your business altogether. With this name reservation provision, it limits the possibility that another owner will have reservations with your domain. Undoubtedly, filing for the name reservation is essential, mainly because having the right company exhibit establishes protection for proprietors under the law from apparent poaching attempts.
The LLC name reservation statutes established the basic essentials for reservations under stated law governing business entities. The Rhode Island Secretary of State: Division of Business Services Unit represents authority regarding LLC name reservations in Rhode Island, additionally outlining guiding policies. When properly completed and submitted, this application will reserve the entity name that you request for a limited time.
Before commencing the LLC names reservation process, it’s vital to envision your company’s branding. To stand out, owners devise creative names easily detected and relatable following one’s product or services. Once an owner has brainstormed preferred names thoughtfully, negative outcomes connected to customers or possibly a market element should avoid throughout final decision consensus.
If a proprietor has access to web commands amenities similar to unique domains and legal aides to finalize names in other individual states- aiding of any disinterest or similarities of the desired business title.
Rhode Island officials require the document to include a cover page briefly establishing the code consisting of numbers and letters used and the type of structure you will be filing, along with the details of payment — essential information surrounding specific outlines or descriptions associated with methods regarding LLC formation.
In the event that names clash, Rhode Island officials weigh closely to subsequent controls where the filing takes precedence over prior applications found insufficient. Thus, review filings of certain seeking information in state site leaders such as the Secretary of State for specific templates or protocols.
Finally, reservation request files alongside instances of familiar legwork affiliated with small corporations, alternatively customers may look up examples concerning appropriate packaging measures as newly licensed company proprietorship planning. Longer preparation open-mindedly saves money, therefore timekeeping creates limitations. As the time allowed to guarantee prepaid charges will not enable aspiring entities time to alter reservations normally — some reports emphasize all particulars precisely. Applicants must keep in mind that fees assessed are non-refundable. These appear trivial provided business owners are occupying trading as LLC members.
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
