Kansas Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide
Ensuring Your Kansas 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 Kansas.
This page will guide you on how to check the availability of your LLC name and ensure it can be used.
Kansas LLC Name Verification
When you submit your paperwork to establish an LLC in Kansas, 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 Kansas Business Entity Name Database
You can utilize the business entity search to compare your business name with the currently registered entities in Kansas.
✎ Note:
This tool is often referred to as either the Kansas Business Name Search or the Kansas Business Entity Search. Both terms describe the same website and provide the same search results.
Visit the Kansas Business Entity Search page
Kansas Secretary of State: Business Entity Search Records
It's simple: enter your desired LLC name in the search bar.
Name Availability Search
We suggest using the Name Availability Search alongside the Business Entity Database Search to ensure your Kansas LLC name is truly unique.
Here’s how to use the Name Availability Search:
- Visit the Name Availability Status page.
- Enter your desired LLC name into the search box and click on "Search".
- You will receive a result indicating whether the name is "available" or "not available".
- If the name is not available, the search will provide a list of existing business names that are similar.
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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 Kansas 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.
After finding a name that seems unique, verify it again with the Name Availability Search tool. If the tool confirms the name as "Available", you're all set to proceed!
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.
Kansas Secretary of State Contact Information
You can contact the Kansas Secretary of State to check if your LLC name is available.
While this service might not be available in every state, Kansas representatives can guide you through the process of using the Kansas 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 785-296-2564, Monday through Friday, between 8 am to 5 pm Central Time.
Kansas LLC Name Requirements
As per Section 17-7920 of the Kansas LLC Act, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming a Kansas business entity.
Comma Usage
You are not required to use a comma in your LLC name. Both formats are acceptable:
- Sunflower Ventures LLC
- Sunflower Ventures, 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.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
- PBC
Restricted Words in Kansas LLC Names
Your Kansas 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.
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Prohibited Symbols
In Kansas, certain symbols are not permitted in business names due to limitations in the state’s business database.
If you include any of these symbols in your LLC name, the Secretary of State will reject your filing and require you to select a different name.
The prohibited symbols in Kansas are:
- Caret (^)
- Backslash ()
- Tilde (~)
- Vertical bar (|)
- Ellipsis (…)
- Underscore (_)
You may use other symbols such as commas, periods, parentheses, and ampersands (&), but these will not help make your business name distinct from similar names. For further details on this policy, see the information below.
Ensuring Your Kansas Business Name Is Distinguishable
To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the Kansas Secretary of State Business Entity Database.
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 "Prairie Sky Ventures LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the Kansas Business Name Search:
- Prairie Sky Ventures, Inc.
- Prairie Sky Ventures, Corp.
- Prairie Sky Ventures L.C.
Ignored Words
Kansas has a special list of words that don’t create distinguishability. These words are generally business descriptors or designators. The Kansas Secretary of State has decided that these words don’t sufficiently differentiate one business name from another. "Ignored words" are:
- Association
- Chartered
- Church
- Club
- College
- Company
- Foundation
- Fund
- Institute
- Limited
- Professional Association
- Society
- Syndicate
- Union
- University
If your desired LLC name is Limestone Landscaping LLC, it's not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Limestone Landscaping Club Inc.
- Limestone Landscaping Limited L.C.
- Limestone Landscaping Union Corp.
- Limestone Landscaping Fund LLC
Those might all sound like different business names. But in Kansas, these “extra words" get ignored.
Filler Words
Adding filler words such as "the", "a", "an", "and"m or "&" does not make a name distinguishable. For instance, "Sunflower Valley LLC" will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- The Sunflower Valley LLC
- Sunflower and Valley Inc.
- Sunflower Valley Co.
- Sunflower with Valley Corp.
✎ Note:
The letter "A" may occasionally be used to create distinguishability.
When the letter "A" is used as an initial in a business name, it helps to set the name apart. For instance, "ABC Daycare" is distinct from "BC Daycare" because of the initial "A".
Using the letter "A" as an article does not make a name unique. For example, "A Sunny Bakery" is not distinguishable from "Sunny Bakery".
Punctuation and Symbols
In Kansas, adding or removing punctuation, symbols, or special characters won’t make a name distinct. Only letters and numbers are used to determine if a name is different from existing ones.
For example, if your preferred LLC name is Honeybee Soapstore LLC, you won't be able to use it if any of these variations are already registered:
- Honeybee Soap Store Inc.
- Honey Bee $oap $tore LC
- HoneyBeeSoap*Store Corp.
- "Honey Bee" Soap Store LLC
How to Make Your Business Name Stand Out in Kansas
To ensure your business name is unique, aim for something completely original. This method is the best way to avoid confusing your customers.
If you’re set on a name that's similar to an existing one, don't worry. Here are two easy ways to make it distinct:
- Change the Form of Words: Try using singular or plural forms. For instance, if "Meadowlark Music LLC" is already taken, you could use "Meadowlarks Music LLC".
- Adjust Numbers or Use Different Formats: Swap numerals with their written-out forms or use Roman numerals. For example, if "25 Stars LLC" is taken, you might choose:
- Twenty-Five Stars LLC
- XXV Stars 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 "Prairie Books LLC", it will not be available if any of the following names are found:
- Prairie Books LLC
- Prairie Book's Inc.
- Prairie Book L.L.C.
Need to save time?
Consider hiring a professional to set up your LLC: Northwest Registered Agent offers LLC formation services starting at $39 plus the state fee.
(Find out why Northwest is the top choice for LLC formation)
What If My Business Name Is Rejected?
If you submit your Kansas 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 Kansas?
No, a name reservation isn't required to form an LLC in Kansas. It's considered an unnecessary step and a waste of money. You can simply file your LLC's Articles of Organization with your desired name.
Does Kansas require an LLC in the name?
Yes, Kansas requires that your LLC name includes the designator LLC at the end.
Does my Kansas LLC need a DBA?
No, you're not required to file a DBA (Doing Business As) for your LLC in Kansas. Kansas does not register DBAs at the state or county level, so there are no forms to fill out or fees to pay. A DBA allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name, but it's not a requirement in Kansas.
How do I get a business domain name?
Once you've decided on a business name, it's a good idea to check if the domain name is available before finalizing your LLC formation. You can use services like GoDaddy to search for available domain names.
What does “distinguishability” mean?
Distinguishability means that each business name must be unique and not identical to any existing names on the Secretary of State's records. If a business with your desired LLC name already exists, you cannot use that name. For instance, if you want to form an LLC called Sunflower Landscapers LLC, but there's already a business named Sunflower Landscapers, Inc. in another town, your name would not be distinguishable, and you’d need to select a different one.
How do I come up with a business name?
Choosing a business name is crucial for branding and recognition. Here are some tips for generating names:
- List features of your company and values you want to be associated with.
- Generate a list of potential names without editing them initially.
- Review the list and consider variations.
- Take a break and revisit the list later. Add new ideas and variations as they come to you.
- Read through the list out loud and seek feedback from friends, business partners, and family.
- Repeat the process: refine ideas, gather more feedback, and make your final decision. If needed, use a decision-making trick like closing your eyes and counting to 10 to choose a name. Trust your instincts and go with what feels right.
Can I use the name of another Kansas entity?
No, you cannot use the same name as another Kansas business, regardless of entity type. This includes corporations, LLCs, and other entities. You cannot use another business's name even if it is in "delinquent" status. However, if a business has been “forfeited” or “dissolved” for more than 1 year, the name becomes available for use.
How do I change my LLC name?
You can change your LLC's name by filing an Amendment form with the Secretary of State. Detailed instructions on how to change an LLC name in Kansas are available.
How to start an LLC in Kansas?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Kansas:
- Choose an LLC name and ensure its availability.
- Select a Kansas Registered Agent.
- File the Kansas 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 Kansas.