Georgia Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide
Ensuring Your Georgia 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 Georgia.
This page will guide you on how to check the availability of your LLC name and ensure it can be used.
Georgia LLC Name Verification
When you submit your paperwork to establish an LLC in Georgia, 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 Georgia Business Entity Name Database
You can utilize the business entity search to compare your business name with the currently registered entities in Georgia.
✎ Note:
This tool is often referred to as either the Georgia Business Name Search or the Georgia Business Entity Search. Both terms describe the same website and provide the same search results.
Visit the Georgia Business Entity Search page
Georgia Secretary of State: Business Search
To use it, simply type your preferred LLC name into the Business Name field and press Search.
Keep the search set to "Contains" to ensure you identify any names that are similar to your desired business name.
Why choose "Contains"? If you use the "Starts With" option, you might overlook names that include additional words. For instance, searching "Gutter Guy" with the "Starts With" setting could miss a business named The Gutter Guy Inc. Therefore, if The Gutter Guy Inc. is already registered, you cannot name your LLC "Gutter Guy LLC".
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.
★ 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 Georgia 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.
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Georgia Secretary of State Contact Information
You can contact the Georgia Secretary of State to check if your LLC name is available.
While this service might not be available in every state, Georgia representatives can guide you through the process of using the Georgia 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 Corporations Division at 404-656-2817. Their hours are 8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Georgia LLC Name Requirements
As per Section 14-11-207 of the Georgia LLC Act and Rule 590-7-20-.01 of the Rules and Regulations, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming a Georgia business entity.
Character Limit
Your LLC name in Georgia must be 80 characters or fewer, including spaces and punctuation.
Don't worry—80 characters provide ample space for most business names. For instance, the lengthy name "The Best Limited Liability Company in Atlanta Formed for Any Lawful Purposes LLC" fits within the limit.
Language and Alphabet Requirements
Georgia regulations state that LLC names can only include:
- Letters from the English alphabet
- Arabic numerals (e.g., 1, 5, 200)
- Roman numerals (e.g., I, IX, MMVII)
- Symbols found on a standard English keyboard (e.g., $, #, “”)
If your desired LLC name uses another language, it must be translated into English or use the English alphabet.
For example:
- If you want your Georgia business name to be प्राण योग Studio LLC, you should file it as Prana Yoga Studio LLC.
- If your desired name is Appétit Pâtisserie LLC, it must be registered as Appetit Patisserie LLC. You can use the correct accents in branding materials like signs and websites, but official documents filed with the Georgia Secretary of State must use only English letters.
Comma Usage
You are not required to use a comma in your LLC name. Both formats are acceptable:
- Green Valley Enterprises LLC
- Green Valley Enterprises, 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 Georgia LLC Names
Your Georgia 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.
Ensuring Your Georgia Business Name Is Distinguishable
To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the Georgia Secretary of State Business Search.
If your name is not unique, you will need to come up with a different or modified name.
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Rules for Distinguishability
Designators
Merely changing the designator (the suffix of the name) does not make a name unique. For example, if "River Breeze Ventures LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the Georgia Business Name Search:
- River Breeze Ventures, Inc.
- River Breeze Ventures, Corp.
- River Breeze Ventures, L.L.C.
Filler Words
Adding filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and"m or "&" does not make a name distinguishable. For instance, "Mountain Vista Ventures LLC" will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- The Mountain Vista Ventures LLC
- A Mountain Vista Venture Inc.
- Mountain Vista and Ventures L.L.C.
- Mountain Vista & Ventures 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 "Green Hill Bakery LLC", it will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- Green Hill Bakery LLC
- Green Hills Bakeries Inc.
- Green Hill’s Bakery Ltd. Co.
Numerals or Spelled Out Numbers
Using numerals (like 7 or 150) instead of spelling out the number (like "seven" or "one hundred and fifty") does not make a name unique. Similarly, replacing a number with its Roman numeral equivalent (such as 3 with III) does not create distinguishability.
For instance, if your desired LLC name is 50 Peaks LLC, it won't be available if any of these names are already registered in Georgia:
- Fifty Peaks LLC
- Fifty 50 Peaks Inc.
Phonetic Spelling of the Same Name or Word
Changing the spelling of a name to a phonetic version does not make it unique.
For example, if your desired LLC name is Cozy Cottages LLC, it won't be available if any of the following names exist:
- Kosi Kotijes LLC
- Cozy Kotajiz Corp.
- Cozie Cottages Ltd. Co.
Exception: Homophones
Homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings, can create uniqueness.
However, if the names are too similar and may cause confusion, the name might still be rejected.
Abbreviation vs. Complete Name or Word
Using an abbreviation instead of a full word (or vice versa) does not create distinguishability.
For example, if your desired LLC name is San Diego Seafood LLC, it’s not available if any of these names are already in use:
- SD Seafood LLC
- San Diego Seafoods Inc.
- San Diego Seafood Co., Ltd.
Business Search Tips for Abbreviations
When considering abbreviations, make sure to check both the abbreviation and the full term in the Business Entity Search.
For example: If you want to include the term "Technology" in your business name, search both "Tech" and "Technology". Or if you use "GA" for Georgia, also search for "Georgia".
Punctuation, Symbols, Spaces
Adding or removing punctuation, symbols, and spaces does not create uniqueness.
For example, if your desired LLC name is Sunrise Bakery LLC, it's not available if any of these names are already registered:
- Sunrise-Bakery Inc.
- Sunrise/Bakery Ltd. Co.
- Sun Rise Bakery LLC
Suffixes, Derivations, or Deviations
Changing a word by adding a suffix or using a different form doesn't create uniqueness. This can be subjective and depends on the judgment of the LLC examiner.
For example, if your desired LLC name is Bright Horizons LLC, it may not be available if these names are already in use:
- Bright Horizon LLC
- Bright Horizonz Inc.
- Bright Horizons Co.
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What If My Business Name Is Rejected?
If you submit your Georgia 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 Georgia?
No, a name reservation is not required to form an LLC in Georgia. You can proceed by filing your LLC’s Articles of Organization with your chosen name. A name reservation is considered an unnecessary step and is not recommended.
Does Georgia require an LLC in the name?
Yes, Georgia requires that your LLC name include one of the following designators at the end:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
Does my Georgia LLC need a DBA?
No, you are not required to file a DBA (Doing Business As) for your business entity in Georgia. However, if you want your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name, you need to file a Trade Name Registration with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county or counties where your business operates. For more details, refer to the Secretary of State Trade Name Guide (PDF download). There is no limit to the number of Trade Names or Trademarks an LLC can have, but each must be distinguishable from existing business names in the state.
When would my LLC use a DBA?
For instance, if you form an LLC named Tybee Island Cruise Lines LLC but wish to operate under a more approachable name like Tybee Cruises, you would need to file a Trade Name Registration in your county to use Tybee Cruises. Without this registration, you can only use your legal entity name, Tybee Island Cruise Lines LLC. Similarly, if you want to use Tybee Island Cruise Lines without the "LLC" suffix, you must file a Trade Name Registration for that name.
How do I get a business domain name?
After deciding on a business name, it's wise to check if the domain name is available before forming your LLC. 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 Secretary of State. This implies that if a business with your desired LLC name already exists, you cannot register your LLC with that name. For example, if you want to name your LLC Peachtree Landscapers LLC but there is an existing Peachtree Landscapers, Inc., you cannot use that name and must select a different one.
How do I come up with a business name?
Choosing a business name is vital for your brand identity. Begin by listing features and attributes you want to associate with your company. Generate as many name ideas as possible, then review and refine the list. Seek feedback from others and use decision-making techniques such as closing your eyes, counting to 10, and choosing the name that feels right when you open your eyes.
Can I use the name of another Georgia entity?
No, you cannot use the same name as another Georgia business, regardless of entity type. This rule applies even if the entity is marked as “administratively dissolved". However, you may use the name of a business that has been withdrawn or canceled. Here's a list of statuses indicating whether a name is available or not:
Statuses that mean the name is available:
- Abandoned
- Cancelled
- Disapproved Filing
- Diss./Cancel/Terminated
- Expired Name Reservation
- Inactive
- Inactive Limited Partnership
- Judicially Dissolved
- Manual Administrative Dissolution/Revocation
- Non Qualified
- Revoked
- Void
- Withdrawn
- Withdrawn/Merged
- Active Name Reservation
- Active/Compliance
- Active/Non-compliance
- Active/Owes Current Year A/R
- Admin. Dissolved
- Automated Administrative Dissolution/Revocation
- Consolidated
- Converted
- Do Not Use Disapproved
- Election to LLC/LP
- Flawed/Deficient
- Involuntary Dissolution
- Merged Name Reservation 90 Days
- Name Reservation Rejected
- Pending
- Redeemed
- See Notepad
- To Be Dissolved
How do I change my LLC name?
To change your LLC's name, file an Amendment form with the Secretary of State. Detailed instructions on how to change an LLC name in Georgia are available.
How to start an LLC in Georgia?
Here are the steps to start an LLC in Georgia:
- Choose an LLC name and ensure it is available.
- Select a Georgia Registered Agent.
- File the Georgia 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 if you need a business or sales tax license in Georgia.