You’ve picked out the perfect name for your Hawaii LLC, and all that’s left to do is make it yours. Wait! What if another business has already registered your name?
By conducting a business entity search in Hawaii, you can confirm that your chosen name is available before moving onto the next step(s) of the LLC formation process.
Taking the time to do a business entity search is important whenever you’re starting an LLC in Hawaii because if a business is already using your name, you won’t be able to register it yourself. In this sense, doing your research now could save you a lot of stress and hassle down the road.
Each state sets its own rules for naming a business, and these rules can differ based on the type of business structure being used. According to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, for example, limited liability companies need to contain the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC” in the business name itself. Likewise, when registering a business name in Hawaii, you must also make sure that the name you have selected isn’t too similar to any business name that is already registered and/or trademarked.
Business names containing phrases that could cause confusion (such as phrases indicating a government department or financial institution) may also be rejected, so stay away from words like “bank” or “agency” when naming your business.
You can use the Hawaii Business Express business name search tool, which is offered through the Hawaii Business Regulation Division, to determine whether or not your desired business name is available.
When using this tool, start by entering your desired business name exactly as you would spell it. From there, you might also want to check for individual words or phrases to look for similar business names that have already been registered.
Upon arriving on the Hawaii Business Express website, you’ll first see the option to “Search for Businesses & Buy Documents.”
To search for a business name, select your search mode (“Begins with” or “Contains,” depending on your preferences). Under “Business Name,” enter the desired name of your business. Next, click on the “Search” button at the bottom of the form. This will bring up a list of results for any business name that matches your search, including details about the status of the business name and its filing number.
When searching for a business name using the Hawaii Business Express page, the main thing to keep in mind is that you have the option to search by names that contain any portion of your search or names that start with the word(s) you’ve entered in the search bar. To ensure the most comprehensive search, it’s generally best to choose the “Contains…” option instead of the “Begins with…” option.
Once you’ve entered your desired business name and clicked on the “Search” button, a list of results will automatically be populated.
You can then review your results and find more details about each business by clicking on the name itself. Specifically, clicking on a name can tell you about:
Here, you’ll also have access to any other filings that may have been completed by the business, such as an application for a trademark.
For business name searches with multiple results, you also have the option to filter by:
According to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website, a business name can be reserved for 120 days by paying a $10 filing fee ($25 for expedited filing). From there, the business itself needs to be registered online through Hawaii Business Express.
For manual processing, paperwork and applicable fees should be mailed to:
Keep in mind, too, that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommends submitting a separate check for each individual filing.
Even once you’ve completed the entity search online, you should never assume that your business name is completely your own until you complete your registration and receive direct confirmation from the Business Registration Division itself.
Using Hawaii Business Express to confirm that a business name is available means you should move quickly to either reserve your business name for the next 120 days or go ahead and register your business through the state of Hawaii.
In addition to registering your name and LLC, you may also wish to trademark your business name (which protects your LLC’s intellectual property). You can do this by first searching the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website for existing trademarks. From there, you can complete your application for a trademark online.
Don’t forget, too, to register your website domain. Ideally, you’ll want to register your business name as a domain. You can check availability using a domain registration platform (such as GoDaddy). From there, if your business domain is available, you can purchase it and start growing your web presence by building a website.
There’s a lot to keep in mind as you prepare to form your LLC in Hawaii, but choosing a name is just the beginning. Looking for more guidance in this process? Tailor Brands can help with your Hawaii LLC formation and much more, so be sure to reach out and get the ball rolling.
A business entity search is the best way to make sure that your chosen business name isn't already in use by another business. If it is, you'll need to select a different name in order to register your business in Hawaii.
The best way to determine if your LLC name is available is to use the Hawaii Business Express tool on the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs website. This tool makes it quick and easy to search for existing business names and comes with numerous filters that can be applied to narrow your search.
Business names can be reserved in Hawaii for up to 120 days. This can be done through the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs. The cost is $10 for a regular filing and $25 for expedited filing.
Yes, it's still a good idea to register the name of your DBA because assumed names can only be used in Hawaii if they have been formally registered with the state.
When naming an LLC in Hawaii, the name of the business should not be "substantially identical" to any other business name. Likewise, the term "Limited Liability Corporation" or "LLC" needs to be included in the formal business name.
If the business name you want is already taken, you won't be able to register it in the state of Hawaii. Instead, you will need to choose a different name.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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