Arizona LLC Name Availability &

Business Name Search

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Arizona LLC Name Lookup and Business Name Search

Learn Arizona LLC Name Lookup and Business Name Search. This guide simplifies the process and rules to help you get started quickly.

A distinctive business name is crucial for effective branding, yet navigating the various Arizona business name regulations can be quite challenging.

This page will guide you on how to search for your LLC name and verify its availability for use.

Arizona LLC name

Submitting your Arizona LLC paperwork with a name that is already taken by another Arizona business or that fails to comply with Arizona’s naming regulations could lead to a rejection of your filing.

The initial step in verifying the availability of your LLC name is to ensure that it isn’t already in use by another company.

You can do this by utilizing the Business Entity Search tool. It’s essential to do this since two business entities within the state cannot share the same name or have names that are overly similar.

The next step involves ensuring that your LLC name complies with the regulations set by the Arizona Secretary of State, which we have outlined below.

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How can you search the Arizona business entity name database?

You can utilize the business entity search tool to check your business name against the currently registered business entities in Arizona.

Note: This tool is occasionally referred to as the Arizona Business Name Lookup or the Arizona Business Entity Lookup. Both terms point to the same website and provide identical search results.

Explore the Arizona Business Entity Lookup page:

Arizona Secretary of State: Business Entity Search

There are two methods to utilize the Arizona Business Entity Search for verifying the availability of your name. We suggest employing both approaches to ensure that your name is distinctive.

Name Availability Check

To utilize the Name Availability check provided by the Arizona Corporation Commission:

Input your preferred LLC name in the Entity Name section.

Then press the central button: “Check Name Availability“.

Screenshot with instructions on how to use the Arizona Business Entity Search

A popup will appear displaying one of the following messages:

  • The name is available.
    • This indicates that your business name is likely unique and permissible for use.
  • No search results were found.
    • This indicates that your business name is likely unique and permissible for use.
  • The entity name is not available.
    • This indicates that your business name lacks uniqueness. You need to consider selecting an alternative name.

Business Entity Search

You can utilize the comprehensive Business Entity Search to confirm that your Arizona LLC name is distinctive, or to check which names were close enough to trigger the “entity name is not available” message.

Go back to the Business Entity Search page.

This time, input your preferred LLC name in the Entity Name field as you did previously. However, this time click the button on the left labeled: “Search”. This action will display all the comparable or identical business names registered in the state, including Trade Names (DBAs).

Search tips:

  • Omit terms like “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “Limited Liability Company”, and similar phrases while conducting your searches.
  • Please provide the text you would like me to rewrite.
  • You can perform searches with either uppercase or lowercase characters.

How to understand the results of an Arizona LLC search

If the results display names that aren’t very similar to yours (indicating that yours stands out), then your Limited Liability Company name is available for use.

  • Let’s continue with the previous example. If you want to register the name Shah Products LLC, and the only comparable names you came across were “Shah Products Development” and “Shah Products Essentials,” it indicates that your name should be free for use.
Screenshot of sample results from the Arizona Business Entity Search

If you don’t see any results, it indicates that your LLC name is distinctive and should be free for use. To ensure accuracy, conduct another search using just a portion of your LLC name (to verify that no similar names exist).

  • For instance, try searching only for the term “Shah” rather than “Shah Products.”

If you find your specific LLC name listed in the search results, it means that your LLC name is unavailable for registration, as another business entity in Arizona is already utilizing it.

If the findings reveal a name that closely resembles yours, it’s possible that your LLC name is not available for use.

  • If you are looking to register the name Shah Products LLC, but the search results display “Shah Products,” it indicates that your chosen name is unavailable.

What should I do if the LLC name I want is already taken?

If your name isn’t distinctive, you will have to create an alternative or select a different name for your LLC.

Tip: Hold off on applying for your LLC EIN Number or acquiring any marketing materials until your LLC gets approved. This approach ensures you avoid unnecessary expenses on business supplies that you can’t utilize if your business name isn’t accessible.

Arizona Secretary of State Contact Details

You can reach out to the Arizona Secretary of State to inquire if your desired LLC name is currently available.

Representatives from the Arizona Secretary of State are available to assist you with the Arizona Business Name Search. However, they cannot assure you that your LLC name will be accessible at the time of filing.

The Secretary of State phone number is 907-465-2550. Their hours are 8am to 5pm Mountain Time, Monday through Friday.

Arizona LLC Naming Guidelines

According to the Arizona LLC Act, there are several guidelines and criteria for naming a business entity in Arizona that you should be aware of.

Is it necessary to include a comma in my LLC name?

No, you are not required to. You can register your LLC name either with or without a comma. The Secretary of State recognizes both variations.

For instance: If you wish to register the business name Shah Products, you can submit it as:

  • Shah Products LLC
  • Shah Products, LLC

Alternatively, you can choose from several other designators in Arizona instead of using “LLC” as your suffix.

What designations (suffixes) are permitted in the name of my LLC?

Your Arizona LLC name is required to include one of the following designators at the end:

  • LLC
  • L.L.C.
  • LC
  • L.C.
  • Limited Company
  • Limited Liability Company

The subsequent designators are prohibited.

Your Arizona LLC cannot present itself as an Arizona Corporation or any other type of business entity apart from an LLC.

The subsequent terms and identifiers are prohibited from being included in your LLC name:

  • Inc.
  • Corp.
  • Incorporated
  • Corporation
  • Association

What terms are prohibited in the name of my Arizona LLC?

The name of your Arizona LLC must not include any words or abbreviations that are legally restricted.

For instance, you cannot create an LLC name that resembles a bank, suggests an affiliation with the government or any government agency, or anything that could potentially deceive the public.

You are also prohibited from using terminology reserved for certified professionals. These restrictions differ by state, but typical examples include accountants, architects, lawyers, dentists, and engineers.

For additional details regarding words that are prohibited in the name of an Arizona LLC, refer to the Arizona LLC guidelines. Act Section 29-3112 (item E).

Important Tip:

Your business name in Arizona needs to be distinctive.

When you search the Arizona Secretary of State Business Entity Search, You will evaluate your preferred LLC name against currently registered businesses within the state.

If your name lacks uniqueness, you’ll have to create a variation or choose an alternative business name.

Here are the guidelines and illustrations of LLC names that are not unique.

Designators

Variations in designators (endings) do not establish distinguishability.

If you wish to use the name Shah Products LLC, it won’t be available if any of the following appear in the Arizona Business Name Search results:

  • Shah Products, Inc.
  • Shah Products, Corp.
  • Shah Products Limited Liability Company

Capitalization

Variations in capitalization (whether using uppercase or lowercase letters) will not result in distinguishability. This guideline is relevant to every component of the business name, including the designator.

If you wish to use the name World Trade LLC for your LLC, it won’t be available if any of the following conditions are met:

  • WORLD TRADE INC.
  • world trade llc
  • World tradE, Inc.
  • world TRADE Limited Liability COMPANY

Filler Words

Incorporating non-essential or filler terms (the, a, an, and, &) will not lead to differentiation.

If you’re looking to use the name Victory Line Dynamics LLC for your LLC, you won’t be able to if any of the following conditions apply:

  • The Victory Line Dynamics LLC
  • A Victory Line Dynamics Inc.
  • Victory Line Dynamics L.L.C.

Plural and Singular Terms Along with Possessive Forms

Arizona regulations can be somewhat complicated regarding plural forms and possessive constructions.

Incorporating an apostrophe to indicate possession in a word often appears similar to its plural form. In other words, Arizona overlooks punctuation such as apostrophes.

However, incorporating an “s” at the end of a word to form its plural can enhance clarity. In other words, the plural form stands apart from the singular version.

If you’re looking to use the name Shah Products LLC for your LLC, it won’t be available if any of the following conditions apply:

  • Shah Products LLC
  • Shah Products, Inc.

However, if the sole business name identified was Jim Jean LLC, then the name Shah’s Products LLC would be available for use.

Keep in mind that this form of distinguishability does not ensure that your name will be approved. The final decision rests with the specific LLC examiner who evaluates your documents.

Numerals or Written-Out Numbers

Utilizing digits (such as 5 or 101) rather than writing out the number in words (like “five” or “one hundred one”) does not enhance clarity.

If you wish to use the name 25 Stars LLC for your LLC, it cannot be used if any of the following conditions apply:

  • Twenty-Five Stars LLC
  • Twenty 5 Stars Inc.

Roman Numerals – Unique Guideline

However, substituting digits with Roman numerals does enhance clarity in Arizona.

In the instance mentioned above (where 25 Stars LLC is unavailable), you might consider using XXV Stars LLC as an alternative. The Roman numeral XXV represents 25. Furthermore, under Arizona law, XXV is distinguishable from both 25 and Twenty-Five.

Symbols and Spaces

Modifying the spacing between words in a company name does not enhance its uniqueness.

In the same way, incorporating symbols does not enhance uniqueness.

If you wish to use the name Shah Products LLC for your LLC, it cannot be used if any of these conditions apply:

  • Shah* Products* LLC
  • Shah “Products” Corp.
  • ShahProducts Inc.
  • Shah…Products L.L.C.
  • Shah Products! Inc.

For a full list of all the symbols that won’t create a distinguishable name, see the AZCC Determining Distinguishability page.

Substituting a Word with a Symbol

If you substitute a whole word with a symbol (except for substituting and with &), the name could be recognizable.

For example:

  • Products At Home LLC and Products @ Home LLC are distinct entities.
  • However, Cork and Fork LLC and Cork & Fork Inc. are not distinguishable.

Please be aware that this form of distinguishability does not ensure that your name will be approved.

What happens if my business name in Arizona is denied?

If you submit your Arizona Articles of Organization (the document that establishes your Arizona LLC) and discover that the business name is unavailable, there’s no need to worry. The state will inform you and provide the reason for the rejection of your filing.

You simply need to submit another filing using either a variation of your LLC’s name or a completely different one.

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.

Need to save time?

Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee).

(See why Northwest is #1: Northwest vs LegalZoom.)

Arizona Business Name FAQs

Is a name reservation necessary in Arizona?

No, a name reservation isn’t required to form an LLC in Arizona. It’s an unnecessary step and a waste of money.

You can just file your LLC’s Articles of Organization with your desired LLC name.

Yes. Your Arizona LLC name must contain one of the allowable designators at the end. The most commonly used designators are:

LLC
Limited Liability Company
Ltd. Liability Co.

After discovering a business name that resonates with you, it’s wise to verify the availability of your domain name prior to establishing your LLC. You can explore available domain names using Hostinger

Business names play a vital role in establishing brand identity and recognition. The title of your Arizona LLC can serve as your company’s brand name, although it’s not mandatory (refer to the FAQ regarding DBAs above). Regardless, choosing a strong LLC name is a crucial choice.

Here are a few swift suggestions for generating business names:

  1. Initially, list the characteristics of your business along with the attributes you wish to be linked to.
  2. Next, jot down as many business names as you can come up with. Avoid making any edits or analyses. Focus solely on getting a multitude of names listed on the page.
  3. Now return to the previous content and review it thoroughly. Jot down any different ideas that arise.
  4. Next, put the list aside for a while. Engage in a different activity, such as taking a stroll, shopping for groceries, or even resting on it overnight. After some time, return to examine the list of names. While reviewing, jot down any new ideas and variations that come to mind.
  5. Read the entire list aloud. If you wish, seek feedback from friends, colleagues, and family members.
  6. Revisit the cycle: let the concepts marinate overnight, jot down fresh alternatives, and vocalize them once more.
  7. The ideal business name will frequently “leap out at you” and reveal itself. If this doesn’t happen, here’s a technique you can use: Shut your eyes and count to 10. Upon reaching 10, you have to select a name. When you open your eyes, compel yourself to decide. Often, the most suitable name resides in our subconscious, and this method can bring it to the surface. Have faith in your instincts and choose what resonates the most.

For additional advice, check out How to Select an LLC Name.

No. You can’t use the same name as another Arizona business.

And it doesn’t matter what entity type it is – your LLC can’t have the same entity name as another corporation, LLC, or any other entity type. You can’t use the same name as another company’s DBA, either.

You can’t use another business’s name even if the entity is in “delinquent” status on the Arizona Secretary of State website.

But if the business entity is dissolved or administratively dissolved, they no longer have rights to that name. This means you can form an LLC with the same name.

You can change your LLC’s name later by filing an Amendment form with the Secretary of State.

We have step-by-step instructions on how to change an LLC name in Arizona.

Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Arizona:

  1. Choose an LLC name and make sure it’s available
  2. Choose who will be your Arizona Registered Agent
  3. File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization
  4. Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
  6. Open an LLC bank account
  7. Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Arizona

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