Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Washington State’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 Washington State 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 Washington State
Time needed: 5 minutes
There are guidelines to follow in doing a Washington State 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 Washington State’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 $30 filing fee (plus tax for online).
File your Certificate of Formation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Washington State. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to Secretary of State Corporation Division 801 Capitol Way S P.O. Box 40234 Olympia, Washington 98504-0234.
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 Washington LLC Online Name Search
Business names are equally important. You are required to select a name that is appealing as well as that follows certain guidelines. To check for the name availability, you can try the Washington LLC name search option. Following are the ways in which you can search for any business entity.
By Business Name
To search by the business name, you need to provide the details like business type, business status, and expiration date along with the name of the business in the fields provided. For more refined results, you can also provide a start and end date of registration. Once you press enter, you will get the details of the business entity.
By Registered Agent
Another way to try a business search is by the agent’s name. You need to provide the name of the agent in the search field. You can also provide an address in the search tab. Once you click or press enter, you will get the information about the business registered with the agent’s name provided.
By Governor Name
You can also search for the business entity name by the governor’s name. You have to enter the name in the field provided and press enter.
By Trademark
One more method to search for a business entity name is the trademark search. You have to provide the details like trademark owner name, trademark status, trademark text, etc., and click on the search button. The results displayed will help you in selecting the business name.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Washington
To reserve an LLC name in Washington you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Washington Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $30. It can be expedited by paying an additional amount.
How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Washington
Starting a business is no small feat. It requires tenacity, creativity, and a clear vision. One crucial aspect of starting a business is selecting the perfect name, as it sets the tone for your identity and branding. In Washington state, reserving a name for your Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a recommended step to ensure that your chosen name will still be available when you’re ready to register your business officially.
To reserve an LLC name in Washington, the process is relatively straightforward. The Washington Secretary of State (SOS) has streamlined the process, aiming to support entrepreneurs with a hassle-free, efficient way to secure a name. Reserving a name can help you cement your brand and provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other crucial aspects of your business setup.
To get started, you will need to visit the Washington SOS website, where you’ll find the necessary forms and comprehensive instructions for reserving an LLC name. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the guidelines and follow them step by step to avoid any setbacks in this relatively simple process.
The first step entails conducting a thorough search to ensure that your desired LLC name is indeed available for reservation. The Washington SOS website provides a convenient online search tool, which allows you to check whether your preferred name is already taken or similar to an existing entity. It’s crucial to reserve a unique name to avoid any legal disputes or confusion in the future.
Following a successful name search, you can proceed to reserve your LLC name online, by mail or in-person at the Washington SOS office. For those more inclined to technology, the online submission option offers convenience, and your reservation will be processed swiftly by the efficient SOS team. Keep in mind that there is a fee for filing the name reservation, which can be paid electronically during the online submission process.
If you prefer the traditional approach, reserving your LLC name by mail or in-person is equally suitable. Fill out the necessary name reservation application, make the payment through acceptable means, and submit it, either dropping it off or mailing it to the Washington SOS office. Bear in mind that processing times may vary depending on the submission volume, so it’s advisable to plan ahead and allow ample time for reservation.
Once your LLC name reservation request is successfully processed, your chosen name will be reserved for a period of 180 days. One crucial factor to note is that name reservation does not establish a legal business entity; it merely guarantees the availability of the name when you’re ready to register your business.
Reserving an LLC name in Washington is an essential precautionary measure that every aspiring entrepreneur should consider. It ensures your chosen name remains available for your exclusive use, allowing you to build a robust brand identity without any unnecessary hassles in the future. By following the straightforward steps outlined by the Washington SOS website and providing accurate and complete information, you will be well on your way to securing your perfect LLC name for your future business venture.
In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in Washington state is a necessary step in your journey as an entrepreneur. It offers you the convenience and peace of mind of knowing that your chosen name will be available when it’s time to officially establish your business. Invest the time and effort into reserving your LLC name correctly – it’s a small but crucial step toward building your dream 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
How do I obtain an entity name? I was an LLC before at one time and it had a chosen name by my business partner and I under entity and DBA was the business name for example..
Entity: Fafo
DBA: Day and night glass