Florida Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide
Ensuring Your Florida 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 Florida.
This page will guide you on how to check the availability of your LLC name and ensure it can be used.
Florida LLC Verification of Name
If the name you select for your LLC is already taken or does not follow state naming guidelines, your filing to form an LLC in Florida may be denied.
How to Look Up Business Entity Names in Florida
You can utilize the business entity search to compare your firm name with the entities that are currently registered in Florida.
✎ Note:
This tool is often referred to as either the Florida Business Name Search or the Florida Business Entity Search. Both terms describe the same website and provide the same search results.
Visit the Florida Business Entity Search page
Florida Department of State: Business Entity Search
It's easy to use:
Put the name you want for your LLC in the "Entity Name" section. Next, select "Search No".
Search Tips:
- Remove punctuation (commas, periods, and apostrophes) and terms like "LLC," "L.L.C.", and "Limited Liability Company" from your search results.
- You can search using either lowercase or uppercase letters.
★ Tip:
To ensure thoroughness, start with a search for the main part of your desired name. For instance, if you want "Sunset Ventures LLC", first search for "Sunset Ventures" and then "Sunset" to cover all possible variations.
How to Understand Florida LLC Search Results
Your LLC name is probably accessible if the names in your search results do not exactly match yours.
If you type Sunset Ventures LLC into Google and get results like Sunset Management and Sunset LLC your name should appear.
What If My Desired Name Is Not Available?
You will have to select an alternate name or change your preferred name if the name you want is already taken.
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Florida Department of State Contact Information
You can contact the Department of State to check if your LLC name is available.
While this service might not be available in every state, Florida representatives can guide you through the process of using the Florida 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.
Give the LLC Division of Corporations a call at 850-245-6000, 8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Florida LLC Name Requirements
As per Section 605.0112 of the Florida LLC Act, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming a Florida business entity.
Comma Usage
You are not required to use a comma in your LLC name. Both formats are acceptable:
- Sunshine Innovations LLC
- Sunshine Innovations, 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
✎ Note:
The term "LLC" is the most commonly used.
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 Florida LLC Names
Your Florida 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.
Furthermore, terminology designated for licensed professionals is not permitted to be used. State-specific terminology may vary, but frequently included are accountants, architects, lawyers, dentists, and engineers.
Ensuring Your Florida Business Name Is Distinguishable
To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the Florida Secretary of State Business Records Search.
If your name is not unique, you will need to come up with a different or modified name.
Rules for Distinguishability
When you use the Florida Department of State's Business Entity Search, you'll compare your desired LLC name with the names of businesses already registered in Florida.
If your name isn't unique, you’ll need to think of a different name or a variation.
Below, you'll find rules and examples showing what makes LLC names distinguishable or not.
Designators
Merely changing the designator (the suffix of the name) does not make a name unique. For example, if "Sunshine State Ventures LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the Florida Business Name Search:
- Sunshine State Ventures, Inc.
- Sunshine State Ventures, Corp.
- Sunshine State Ventures Limited
Filler Words
Adding filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and"m or "&" does not make a name distinguishable. For instance, "Everglade Creations LLC" will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- The Everglade Creations LLC
- An Everglade Creations Inc.
- Everglade and Creations L.L.C.
- Everglade & Creations Corp
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 "Sunny Shore Rentals LLC", it will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- Sunny Shore Rentals LLC
- Sunny Shores Rental Inc.
- Sunny Shores’ Rentals L.L.C.
Punctuation and Symbols
Changing punctuation or adding special characters does not make a name unique.
For example, if you want "Everglade Tours LLC" and find any of the following names, you can't use it:
- Everglade-Tours LLC
- Everglade Tours! LLC
- Everglade' Tours' LLC
- Everglade & Tours Inc.
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What If My Business Name Is Rejected?
If you submit your Florida 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.
Do I need a name reservation in Florida?
No, a name reservation is not required to form an LLC in Florida. You can file your LLC’s Articles of Organization with your chosen name without going through a name reservation process. A name reservation is considered an unnecessary step and is not recommended.
Does Florida require an LLC in the name?
Yes, Florida mandates that your LLC name includes one of the following designators:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
Does my Florida LLC need a DBA?
No, you are not required to file a DBA (Doing Business As) for your business entity in Florida. However, if you wish to operate your LLC under a name different from its legal name, you need to file a Fictitious Name Registration with the Department of State and pay an additional fee of $50. This registration can be done online or by mail, and there is no limit to the number of Fictitious Names an LLC can have. Note that your Fictitious Name does not need to be distinguishable from other business names in the state.
When would my LLC use a DBA?
For example, if you form an LLC named Everglade Panthers Softball LLC but prefer to use a more catchy name like Everglade Softball, you would need to file a Fictitious Name Registration for Everglade Softball. Without this registration, you can only use your legal entity name Everglade Panthers Softball LLC. Similarly, if you want to use Everglade Panthers Softball without the "LLC" suffix, a Fictitious Name Registration for Everglade Panthers Softball is required.
How do I get a business domain name?
After choosing your business name, it’s wise to check if the corresponding domain name is available. You can search for available domain names using services like GoDaddy.
What does “distinguishability” mean?
Distinguishability means that each business name must be unique in the records of the Department of State. If an exact name is already in use, you cannot register your LLC with that name. For example, if you want to form an LLC called Coral Landscapers LLC but there is already a Coral Landscapers, Inc., your name is not distinguishable and cannot be used.
How do I come up with a business name?
Choosing a business name is crucial for branding. Start by listing the features and attributes of your company. Brainstorm as many names as possible, then review and refine the list. Seek feedback and use decision-making techniques like closing your eyes, counting to 10, and picking the name that feels right when you open your eyes.
Can I use the name of another Florida entity?
No, you cannot use the same name as another Florida business. This rule applies regardless of the entity type. Even if an entity is in "Inactive/UA" status, you cannot use the name. However, if the business is marked as "inactive" (without "UA"), you may use their name as long as they are no longer active.
How do I change my LLC name?
To change your LLC’s name, you need to file an Amendment form with the Department of State. Detailed instructions on how to change an LLC name in Florida are available.
How to start an LLC in Florida?
Here are the steps to start an LLC in Florida:
- Choose an LLC name and verify its availability.
- Select a Florida Registered Agent.
- File the Florida LLC Articles of Organization.
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement.
- Obtain a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS.
- Open an LLC bank account.
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Florida.