Alaska LLC Name Availability &
Business Name Search
2025 LLC Guide
Alaska LLC Name Lookup and Business Name Search
Learn Alaska LLC Name Lookup and Business Name Search. This guide simplifies the process and rules to help you get started quickly.
Choosing a unique and memorable name for your LLC is crucial for branding and establishing your business identity. But with Alaska’s specific naming rules, it can be tricky to know where to start. This guide will walk you through the process of searching for and securing your ideal LLC name.
Alaska LLC Name
When you submit your Alaska LLC documents, using a name already claimed by another business entity in Alaska, or one that doesn’t adhere to the state’s naming regulations, can lead to a rejection of your filing.
The initial step to ensure your LLC name is acceptable is to verify that it hasn’t been taken by another business. You can perform this check using the Corporate Records Database, also known as the Business Entity Search. This step is crucial because no two business entities in the state can share the same name.
The next step is to ensure your LLC name complies with the Alaska Secretary of State’s rules, which we’ve detailed below.
How can you search the Alaska business entity name database?
Utilize the business entity search to compare your business name with the existing registered entities in Alaska.
Note: This tool may also be called the Alaska Corporate Database Search, the Alaska Business Name Search, or the Alaska Business Entity Search. All these names point to the same website and provide identical search results.
Visit the Alaska Corporate Database Search page under the Alaska Secretary of State
Corporate Database Search. It’s straightforward: type your desired LLC name in the Entity Name field. Keep the search option as “Contains” and click Search.
Why choose “Contains”? Using “Starts With” might cause you to overlook a similar name with additional words. For instance, searching “World Trade” with “Starts With” would miss an existing business called The World Trade Inc. You cannot name your company “World Trade LLC” if The World Trade Inc. is already registered.
Search tips:
- Exclude “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “Limited Liability Company”, etc., during searches.
- Avoid using commas, periods, apostrophes, etc.
- You can search with either uppercase or lowercase letters.
Tip: Focus on entering only the main part of your desired Alaska LLC name in the search bar. For example, if your desired LLC name is World Trade LLC, begin by searching for “World Trade”. Then search for “World. This ensures you identify all potentially similar names.
How to interpret the Alaska LLC search results
If the results show names that differ from yours (indicating your name is distinguishable), your Limited Liability Company name is available.
Using the previous example, if your desired name is World Trade LLC and the similar names you find are “World Buiness” and “World LLC,” then your name should be available.
If no results appear, your LLC name is unique and should be available. To ensure accuracy, conduct another search using only part of your LLC name to verify no similar names exist. For instance, search just “World” instead of World Trade. If your exact LLC name shows up in the search records, it isn’t available because another Alaska business entity is already using it.
If the results show a name very similar to yours, your LLC name may not be available.
Why might a very similar name be usable?
Alaska’s regulations are more lenient than many states. They consider a creative, unusual, or artistic spelling of a word to make a business name distinguishable.
However, consider carefully whether you want a name that closely resembles another business’s name. This could be a strategic branding decision, but it may also lead to customer confusion. Learn more about this rule here: Alaska Distinguishable Business Name.
What if my desired LLC name isn’t available?
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to create a variation or choose a different name for your LLC.
Important Note: Wait until your LLC is approved before applying for your LLC EIN Number or purchasing any marketing materials. This prevents you from spending money on business supplies you can’t use if your business name isn’t available.
Contact Alaska Secretary of State
If you have inquiries about the availability of your LLC name, you can reach out to the Alaska Secretary of State. The representatives can assist you in navigating the Alaska Business Name Search. Keep in mind that they cannot assure the availability of your LLC name upon filing.
For assistance, contact the Division of Corporations at 907-465-2550. Their business hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM AKT, Monday to Friday.
Alaska LLC Name Rules
Under the Alaska LLC Act, there are specific guidelines and requirements for choosing a name for an Alaska business entity.
Do I need a comma in my LLC name?
No, a comma is not necessary. You can register your LLC name with or without a comma, and both formats are accepted by the Secretary of State.
For instance, if you want to name your business Ahmad Adil, you can register it as:
Ahmad Adil LLC
Ahmad Adil, LLC
Alternatively, instead of using “LLC” as your designator (ending), Alaska offers a few other options.
What designators (endings) are available for my LLC name?
Your Alaska LLC name must conclude with one of the following designators:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Co.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Limited Liability Company
Note: Most people prefer “LLC”.
Disallowed designators
Your Alaska LLC name cannot suggest it is an Alaska Corporation or any other business structure besides an LLC.
The following designators and words are prohibited:
- Inc.
- Corp.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
- Cooperative
What words are not permitted in my Alaska LLC name?
Your Alaska LLC name cannot include words and abbreviations restricted by law.
For example, your LLC name cannot imply it is a bank, part of the government, or a government agency, or otherwise mislead the public.
City, Borough, or Village Names
In Alaska, you may incorporate the name of a city, borough, or village into your business name. However, you cannot use “city,” “borough,” or “village” or imply that the company is a municipality.
Examples of permissible names:
- Kenai Coffee, LLC
- Safety Consultants Sitka, LLC
- Juneau Jumpers, LLC
Examples of impermissible names:
- Anchorage City Company, LLC
- Village of Nome, LLC
Professional Occupations
You are also prohibited from using words reserved for licensed professionals. These vary by state but often include accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists, and engineers.
Alaska law prohibits using words that mislead about your company’s purpose. For instance, if your business isn’t involved in construction, avoid using “construction” in the name.
For further details on restricted words for an Alaska business entity, please visit this page: Selecting a Business Name.
Your business name in Alaska must be unique
When you search the Alaska Secretary of State Corporations Database, you will need to compare your proposed LLC name with existing businesses in the state. If your name is not unique, you’ll have to come up with a variation or choose a different business name. Below are rules and examples of LLC names that are not considered distinguishable.
Designators
Differences in designators (such as endings) do not make a name unique. If you want to name your LLC “World Trade LLC“, it’s not available if any of the following appear in the Alaska Business Name Search results:
- World Trade, Inc.
- World Trade, Corp.
- World Trade, L.L.C.
Filler Words
Adding non-essential or filler words (like “the”, “and”) does not make a name unique. According to Alaska law, the following filler words don’t create distinguishability:
- a
- an
- and
- by
- for
- in
- plus
- the
- to
- with
If your desired LLC name is Ahmad Adil LLC, it’s not available if any of these are found:
- Ahmad With Adil LLC
- The Ahmad Adil Inc.
- Ahmad and Adil Corp
What makes a business name unique? The Alaska Secretary of State offers a useful page to help you: Distinguishable Business Name. This page details how to ensure your LLC’s name is unique compared to other business names in the state.
What should I do if my Alaska business name is rejected?
If your Alaska Articles of Organization (the document that forms your Alaska LLC) is filed and the business name is unavailable, remain calm. The state will inform you and explain the reason for the rejection. You simply need to submit your filing once more, using a variation of your LLC name or selecting a different LLC name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a name reservation in Alaska?
No, you don’t need to reserve a name to set up an LLC in Alaska. It’s an unnecessary step and expense. Simply file your LLC’s Articles of Organization using your chosen name.
Does Alaska require LLC in the name?
Yes, your Alaska LLC name must include one of the permissible designators at the end. The most common are:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
Does my Alaska LLC need a DBA?
No, you don’t have to file a DBA (“Doing Business As”) in Alaska. A DBA (referred to as a Trademark or Trade Name in Alaska) allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name.
If you wish your LLC to do business under a different name, register a Trade Business Name and pay a $25 fee to the Secretary of State. You can file online or by mail.
Each DBA requires a separate Alaska Business License. The DBA name must be distinct from existing business names. There’s no cap on the number of DBAs an LLC can have. For more info, see Does my LLC need a DBA?
When would my LLC use a DBA?
Suppose your LLC is Aurora Cruise Lines LLC, but you prefer the name Aurora Cruises. You’d need to register a Business Name and obtain a Business License to use Aurora Cruises.
Without registration and a separate license, you must use the legal name Aurora Cruise Lines LLC. Similarly, to do business without “LLC” in the name, file a DBA for Aurora Cruise Lines.
How do I get a business domain name?
Once you have a business name you like, check domain availability before forming your LLC.
What does “distinguishability” mean?
Each business name must be unique in the Secretary of State’s records. No two businesses can have the same exact name. If another business exists with your desired name, you can’t use it.
For instance, if you want Moose Landscapers LLC but Moose Landscapers, Inc. exists, the name isn’t distinguishable. You must choose a different name.
How do I come up with a business name?
Business names are vital for branding. Your Alaska LLC’s name can be your brand, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are tips for creating a business name:
- Begin by listing the characteristics of your company and the elements you wish to be linked with.
- Next, jot down as many business names as you can imagine. Avoid editing or evaluating them. Simply fill the page with as many names as possible.
- Return to the list and review each item. Jot down any alternative ideas that occur to you.
- After that, put the list away. Engage in another activity, such as taking a walk, shopping for groceries, or sleeping on it overnight. Later, return to the list of names. As you review it, jot down new ideas and variations.
- Recite the entire list aloud. If you wish, seek feedback from friends, colleagues, and relatives.
- Continue the cycle: rest with the concepts, jot down fresh versions, and recite them aloud once more.
- The perfect business name might just “jump out” at you. If it hasn’t yet, consider this technique: Close your eyes and slowly count to 10. Upon reaching 10, you have to pick a name. Once you open your eyes, compel yourself to decide. Often, the ideal name is buried in our subconscious, and this method can help bring it forward. Have confidence in yourself and choose what feels right.
For additional advice, refer to How to Select an LLC Name.
Can I use the name of another Alaska entity?
No, you can’t use the same name as another business in Alaska, regardless of entity type. Your LLC name must differ from any existing corporation, LLC, or other entity type.
Even if another business is “delinquent” in the Secretary of State’s records, you can’t use its name. However, if the entity is dissolved, you can use the name for your LLC.
How do I change my LLC name?
To change your LLC’s name, file an Amendment form with the Secretary of State.
How to start an LLC in Alaska?
Here’s how to start an LLC in Alaska:
– Choose an LLC name and ensure its availability
– Select your Alaska Registered Agent
– File the Alaska LLC Articles of Organization
– Obtain an Alaska Business License
– Sign an LLC Operating Agreement
– Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
– Open an LLC bank account
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