Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Tennessee’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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Time needed: 5 minutes.
There are guidelines to follow in doing a Tennessee 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 Tennessee’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 $20 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Tennessee. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Secretary of State’s office at 6th FL – Snodgrass Tower ATTN: Corporate Filing, 312 Rosa L. Parks AVE, Nashville, TN 37243.
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 Tennessee LLC Online Name Search
Naming any business is a vital step in establishing an LLC. The name you wish to choose needs to adhere to the guidelines along with being appealing to the consumers. Tennessee LLC name search may prove helpful in searching for the name availability. Here are the steps you can follow to search for any business name if your LLC is based in Tennessee:
- Step 1: Visit Tennessee’s Secretary of State’s website
- Step 2: The webpage displays the list of Business Services available, like ‘Form or register a new business’, ‘Find and update a business record’, and so on. Click on the ‘Search business availability’ option.
- Step 3: A business information search page will appear. You need to fill in the details in the search tabs provided. You can also provide the control number. ‘Starts with’ and ‘contains’ options may help you in refining your search.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Tennessee
To reserve an LLC name in Tennessee you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Tennessee Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $20.
When starting a business in Tennessee, one crucial step is to reserve a business name for your limited liability company (LLC) before registering it. By reserving a name, you ensure that the name will be available when you’re ready to go ahead with the LLC formation process.
To reserve a name for an LLC in Tennessee, you must file an Application For Reservation of Name with the Secretary of State’s office. This process can be done online or by mail and costs $20. The name reservation is valid for 120 days, but it can be extended for an additional 120 days by filing another application and paying another $20 fee.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing a name for your LLC is that it needs to be unique and not yet taken by another LLC or corporation in Tennessee. Therefore, it’s worth conducting a thorough search of the Secretary of State’s database to ensure that the name is available before submitting your application for reservation. If the name you want is not available, you’ll need to come up with another name and start the process again.
When choosing a name for your LLC, it’s also a good idea to make sure that it’s easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. The name should reflect the nature of your business, and it should be something that is not likely to become dated or irrelevant over time.
While reserving a name for your LLC is an essential step, it’s not the same as registering an LLC with the state. Once you’ve reserved a name, you can go ahead with the LLC formation process. This involves filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State’s office and paying a $300 fee. Once this is done, your LLC will be officially formed, and you can start operating your business.
It’s worth noting that there are several advantages to forming an LLC over other types of business structures, such as sole proprietorships or partnerships. LLCs offer limited liability protection for owners, meaning that they’re not personally responsible for the company’s debts or liabilities. Additionally, LLCs are relatively easy to set up and maintain, and they offer flexibility in terms of taxation and management structure.
In conclusion, reserving a name for your LLC in Tennessee is an essential step in starting your business. By doing so, you can ensure that the name you want will be available when you’re ready to form your LLC. When choosing a name, make sure that it’s unique, easy to spell and remember, and reflects the nature of your business. While reserving a name is not the same as registering an LLC, it’s an important first step in the process of forming your business.
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
