How to Do a Business Entity Search in Louisiana and Choose a Name for your LLC

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There are a number of good reasons that entrepreneurs who start a new business in Louisiana choose to form a limited liability company. Once you’ve decided to form an LLC, one of the first things you’ll have to do is choose a business name. Your name should be easy to remember. It can tell the public what it is that you do. It also has to conform to state LLC naming regulations. A key rule is that it must be distinguishable from existing Louisiana business names.

Why do you need to do a business entity search when starting an LLC?

Louisiana doesn’t allow two businesses in the state to register names that are the same or are not distinguishable from one another. It you file your LLC Articles of Organization with a name that’s too close to a business name already in use, your filing will be rejected. You’ll have to come up with a new name and file again.

If you do a Google search with your potential name, you may be able to figure out whether the name you want is available. However, the best way to ensure your name is acceptable is to do a business entity search at the Louisiana Secretary of State website.

State naming guidelines

Before you choose a name and begin a business entity search, you should review the detailed Louisiana naming guidelines to ensure that the name you want is permissible in the state. Here are some of the key points from the guidelines document:

You may not use a name that could lead people to believe that your business is a government agency.
You may not use a name that implies that your LLC is something different from what you describe in your Articles of Organization.
You may not use a name that implies an illegal activity.
You may not use words that are immoral or scandalous.
You need approval from the appropriate professional organization to use certain words in your name. These include forms of the words engineer, surveying, architect, credit union, bank, and homestead.
You may not use the word “insurance” unless your business is a brokerage firm or insurance agency.
No LLC may include the words, phrases, or abbreviations Inc, Corp, Incorporated, Corporation, doing business as, or DBA.
Every LLC name must contain the words “limited liability company” or an abbreviation such as LLC or LC. Most companies choose LLC.

Names must be distinguishable, but the Secretary of State doesn’t publish explicit rules about what is and isn’t distinguishable. If you’re not certain, you may have to contact the SOS office.

Conducting a business name search in Louisiana - step by step guide with tips

A Louisiana business name search is free, and it’s easy. You can do it at the Search for Louisiana Business Filings web page:

You can get up to 250 results per search. If there are no results, your chosen name is likely to be available. If there are results, the name may not be available if some results are similar. For example, if your potential name is Acme Enterprises, LLC, and you see that there’s a business called Acme Enterprise, the name is not available. For a final determination in a specific case, you can call the Louisiana Secretary of State office at 225-925-4704, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM Central Time. Here are some tips for making best use of the search facility:

Have several names in mind before you begin to search.
Do not include the word LLC in your search. You also need to know about companies that aren’t LLCs.
Use several variations of the name. In particular, use only part of the words in your name. For example, if you want the name “Acme Enterprises,” search with only the word “Acme.”
Leave out special characters such as commas, periods, and apostrophes.
Don’t worry about case. You can search with either upper- or lower-case letters.

Even if a Louisiana entity search does not turn up a name similar to yours, there are a couple more steps you should take before you proceed:

Search for a trademark similar to your name. Trademarks are at the federal level, and you run the risk of committing an infringement if you use a name that is trademarked. There is a trademark search tool with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Search for a domain name similar to your name. You’ll probably want your company name and website name to be the same or similar, and if someone already has the domain name, you won’t be able to do that. Use a domain search tool such as GoDaddy.

Below the search bar are three options:

Search Scope: Select “Contains” for the purposes of this search. “Begins With” (the other option) won’t necessarily find all businesses with like names, since a business could use a different numeral, “the,” or some other small starter.
Filing Status: Conduct a search with each “Active” and then “Inactive” filing status selected. You shouldn’t use a business name that’s currently registered as either active or inactive.
Prior Names: “Exclude” prior names, as you can name a business the same as one that’s no longer operated. You might choose “Include” if you’re looking for similar name ideas.

Step 3: Search the Business Name

Type your business name into the search bar, and click “Search.” Results will be displayed on the same page, immediately below.

You should conduct two searches to confirm name availability. First search active businesses, and then inactive ones.

If you want to check whether similar names are being used, you might search a shortened section for your business name. For example, search “Bob” instead of “Bob’s,” or “Auto” so you’d get any results that are either “First Auto” or “1st Auto.”

There is no fee for conducting a business name search in Minnesota.

Step 4: Review Results

Review the results that are displayed below the search bar. You can click “More Details” if you’d like to know more about any one result. You don’t need additional information if you’re merely wanting to know whether a business name is available, though.

Assumed Name (DBA) Search

Minnesota doesn’t keep a statewide database of all registered assumed names (DBAs). If you want to know whether a name is being used as a DBA, the best option is generally a Google search. You still can’t use a DBA of a business’s officially registered name.

What Can You Do Once You Have a Name That Is Available?

Once you’ve found a unique and compliant name for your LLC, there are a few more steps you can take to secure it and protect your brand:

Register:

Register your LLC with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Your LLC will officially have use of its name, once the filing is approved. The fee for registering an LLC in Minnesota is $155 if you register online or in person, and $135 if you file by mail.

Reserve:

If you aren’t ready to formally start your LLC but want to protect the name, you can reserve it with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Complete and submit the Name Reservation | Request for Reservation of Name form. The business name will be reserved for 12 months, and can be renewed with 12-month reservations indefinitely.

The fee for reserving a business name is $55 if submitted in person or online (expedited processing), or $35 for mail-in submissions (standard processing).

Trademarking:

If you want more protection for your business name and brand, consider obtaining a state or federal trademark. This can be especially important if using a DBA, as there’s no state protection against other businesses using the same DBA. A trademark may help you prevent other businesses from operating under the same name.

Website Domain:

Purchase a domain name that matches your business name, or is at least similar to the name. You’ll want a website for your business.

Conclusion

When you have a great name for your LLC, you’re ready to register or reserve the name. Then, go on with the next step of establishing your LLC in Minnesota. Soon, you’ll be running a new business!

Minnesota entity search FAQs

1Why do you need to perform a business entity search?

A business entity search shows you whether a business name is already in use. You’ll need a different name or a variation if the desired name is registered with another business.

2How to check if the LLC name you want is available in Minnesota?

To check if an LLC name you want is available in Minnesota, use the Secretary of State’s Business Name search.

3How much does it cost to reserve your LLC name in Minnesota?

The cost to reserve a business name in Minnesota is $35 if reserving by mail (standard processing), or $55 if reserving in person or online.

4If you have a DBA, should you register its name?

Yes, DBAs must be registered as assumed names in Minnesota. This is necessary, but it doesn’t prevent another business from using the same DBA name.

5What are the LLC naming guidelines in Minnesota?

Business names in Minnesota must be in English, use an LLC designator, not use restricted words unless permitted, and be distinguishable from other business names. Distinguishable is defined as having at least one letter or number different from another business’s name.

There’s no requirement to have a DBA name that’s distinguishable from other DBAs. The same DBA can be used by multiple businesses.

6What to do if the LLC name you want is already taken?

If the LLC name you want is taken, consider alternative names or slight variations. You only need one letter or number different to use the name, although a more different name might be advisable for branding purposes. You can also brainstorm entirely different names.

There’s no requirement to have a DBA name that’s distinguishable from other DBAs. The same DBA can be used by multiple businesses.

Learn more about LLC in Minnesota

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Minnesota

How to Dissolve an LLC in Minnesota

5 Best LLC Formation Services in Minnesota

Terry OToole

Terry is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building businesses across multiple industries – construction, real estate, e-commerce, hotelier, and now digital media. When not working, Terry likes to kick back and relax with family, explore Taoism’s mysteries, or savor the taste of fine Italian red wine.

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.