Arkansas Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide

Ensuring Your Arkansas LLC Name Is Available

A unique business name is key for branding, but it can be difficult to navigate the various rules for business names in Arkansas.

This page will guide you on how to check the availability of your LLC name and ensure it can be used.

Arkansas LLC Name Verification

When you submit your paperwork to establish an LLC in Arkansas, your filing could be rejected if the name you choose is already in use or does not adhere to state naming regulations.

How to Search the Arkansas Business Entity Name Database

You can utilize the business entity search to compare your business name with the currently registered entities in Arkansas.

Visit the Arkansas Business Entity Search page

Arkansas Secretary of State: Business Entity Search

It's simple: enter your desired LLC name in the Name field and click Search.

Search Tips:

• Exclude terms like "LLC", "L.L.C.", "Limited Liability Company", and punctuation marks (commas, periods, apostrophes) from your search.
• You can use either uppercase or lowercase letters in your search.

How to Understand Arkansas LLC Search Results

If your search results show names that do not match yours exactly, your LLC name is likely available.

For example, if "Sunset Ventures LLC" yields results like "Sunset Management" and "Sunset LLC", your name should be available.

What If My Desired Name Is Not Available?

If the name you want is already in use, you will need to choose an alternative name or modify your desired name.

Arkansas Secretary of State Contact Information

You can contact the Arkansas Secretary of State to check if your LLC name is available.

While this service might not be available in every state, Arkansas representatives can guide you through the process of using the Arkansas Business Name Search to see if your name is free. They can not guarantee that your name will be approved, but they can provide useful information.

Call the LLC Department at 860-509-6002, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am to 4 pm Pacific Time.

Arkansas LLC Name Requirements

As per Section 4-38-112 of the Arkansas LLC Act, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming an Arkansas business entity.

Comma Usage

You are not required to use a comma in your LLC name. Both formats are acceptable:

• Greenfield Solutions LLC
• Greenfield Solutions, LLC

Permissible Designators

Your LLC name must end with one of the following designators:

• LLC
• L.L.C.
• Ltd. Liability Co.
• Limited Liability Co.
• Ltd. Liability Company
• Limited Liability Company

Restricted Designators

Your LLC name cannot include terms that imply it is another type of business entity, such as:

• Inc.
• Corp.
• Corporation
• Cooperative

Restricted Words in Arkansas LLC Names

Your Arkansas LLC name cannot include words or abbreviations that are legally restricted.

For instance, you cannot name your LLC in a way that suggests it is a bank, a government agency, or any other entity that might mislead the public.

Additionally, you cannot use terms reserved for licensed professionals. These terms can differ by state but often include accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists, and engineers.

Names of Non-Members

In Arkansas, you cannot use the name of anyone who is not a member of your LLC in the business name. To feature someone's name in your LLC's name, that person must be an actual member of the LLC.

For instance, you cannot name your LLC "Brad Pitt's Barber, LLC" or "Abraham Lincoln LLC" unless Brad Pitt or Abraham Lincoln is a member of the LLC.

However, if a member whose name is used in the LLC name dies or leaves the business, you can continue using the original name. For example, if you establish an LLC named "Marley & Moffitt LLC" and Ms. Moffitt later passes away, you may retain the name "Marley & Moffitt LLC".

Ensuring Your Arkansas Business Name Is Distinguishable

To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the Arkansas Secretary of State Business Entity Search.

If your name is not unique, you will need to come up with a different or modified name.

Rules for Distinguishability

Designators

Merely changing the designator (the suffix of the name) does not make a name unique. For example, if "Ozark Adventures LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the Arkansas Business Name Search:

• Ozark Adventures, Inc.
• Ozark Adventures, Corp.

Filler Words

Adding filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and"m or "&" does not make a name distinguishable. For instance, "Maple Leaf Ventures LLC" will not be available if any of the following names are found:

• The Maple Leaf Ventures LLC
• A Maple Leaf Ventures Inc.
• My Maple Leaf Ventures L.L.C.
• Maple Leaf Ventures Corp.

The Word "Arkansas"

Including the word "Arkansas" or its abbreviations (AR or Ark.) in your LLC name does not make it distinctive.

For example, if you want to use the name Quiet Streams LLC, it won't be accepted if similar names are found, such as:

• AR Quiet Streams Inc.
• Quiet Streams Arkansas LLC

The Words "American" or "USA"

Incorporating terms like “America” or similar variations may not ensure uniqueness. The following words fall into this category:

• America
• American
• US
• USA
• National
• International

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State, these terms might not be distinct enough “in certain contexts.” It’s advisable to consult with them to confirm if your chosen name is acceptable.

The Same Word, Written Differently

Arkansas has stringent rules regarding what constitutes a distinct name. Unlike other states, simple variations in spelling are not sufficient to make a name unique.

For instance, if you want to name your LLC Pine Grove LLC, it will not be approved if any of these variations are found:

• Pine Grov LLC
• Pyne Grove Inc.
• Pyn Grove Corp.

Variations of the Same Word

Minor adjustments to a word, such as adding or removing letters, do not make a name distinct in Arkansas.

For example, if your desired LLC name is Apex Solutions LLC, it won’t be acceptable if similar names like these are already registered:

• Apex Solutio LLC
• APEX Solutions Inc.
• Appex Solutions LLC

Plural or Singular Words and Possessive Words

Changing a word to its plural or possessive form does not make a name unique.

If your desired LLC name is "Sunset Villa LLC", it will not be available if any of the following names are found:

• Sunset Villa LLC
• Sunset Villa's Inc.
• Sunset Villas L.L.C

Incorporating Numbers or Variations of Numbers

Numerals or Numeric Values

Using numbers (such as 5 or 101) in place of spelling them out (like "five" or "one hundred and one") does not make a name distinct.

For example, if you choose "25 Stars LLC" as your LLC name, it will not be considered unique if these names are already registered:

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

Adding Numbers

Generally, adding a number to a name does not create a unique identity.

For instance, "25 Gym Stars LLC" does not differ enough from "Gym Stars LLC" to be considered distinct.

However, there are exceptions where adding a number can make a name distinctive:

Same Owner, Additional Company: If you already own an LLC and are starting a new one, you can use the original name with a number to differentiate them.

For instance, if you have "Pizza Truck LLC" and start a new business, you might name it "Pizza Truck 2 LLC". These names are distinguishable because they are under the same ownership.

However, if a competitor tries to register "Pizza Truck 2 LLC", it would be disallowed unless the competitor is also the owner of the original "Pizza Truck LLC".

Street Address Inclusion: If the number in the LLC name is part of an address on the Certificate of Organization, it can create a distinguishable identity.

For example, if "Main Street Management Inc." is already in use, you could name your new LLC "356 Main Street Management LLC" if your business is located at 356 Main Street in Little Rock, AR. The inclusion of "356" helps distinguish your business because it is a specific identifier related to your location.

Significant Numbers: If the number or numeric word in the name holds significant meaning, it contributes to distinguishability. This means the number is integral to the business name, making it less likely to be confused with others.

For instance, "Second Baptist Church LLC" is distinct from "First Baptist Church LLC", and "2020 Bentonville Baseball Boosters LLC" differs from "Bentonville Baseball Boosters Inc".

What If My Business Name Is Rejected?

If you submit your Arkansas Articles of Organization and your chosen business name is not available, do not worry.

The state will inform you of the rejection and provide reasons. You will then need to resubmit with a new or adjusted name.