New York Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Guide

Ensuring Your New York 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 New York.

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

New York LLC Name Verification

When you submit your paperwork to establish an LLC in New York, 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 New York Business Entity Name Database

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

Visit the New York Business Entity Search page

New York Division of Corporations: Business Entity Database

• Type your desired LLC name into the "Entity Name" field.
• Choose "BaseWord" under the Search Functionality options.
• Select the "Limited Liability Company" checkbox.
• Click "Search the Database".

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.

How to Understand New York 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.

New York Division of Corporations Contact Information

You can contact the New York Division of Corporations to check if your LLC name is available.

While this service might not be available in every state, New York representatives can guide you through the process of using the New York 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 Division of Corporations at 518-473-2492. Their hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

New York LLC Name Requirements

As per Section 204 of the New York LLC Act, there are several rules and requirements you should be aware of when naming a New York business entity.

Language and Alphabet Requirements

New York 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 your desired New York business name is Tête-à-Tête Café LLC, you must file it as Tete-a-Tete Cafe LLC, using only English letters.
• Similarly, if your desired New York business name is Büro Supplies LLC, it must be registered as Buro Supplies LLC. You can still use the correct accents in Büro Supplies on your business’s signage and website. However, all documents filed with the New York Division of Corporations must use only English letters.

Comma Usage

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

• Hudson River Books LLC
• Hudson River Books, LLC

Permissible Designators

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

• LLC
• L.L.C.
• 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
• Incorporated
• Partnership

Restricted Words in New York LLC Names

Your New York 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 New York Business Name Is Distinguishable

To ensure your LLC name is acceptable, you must compare it with existing names using the New York Division of Corporations 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 "Hudson Valley Tours LLC" is your desired name, it will not be acceptable if you find any of the following names in the New York Business Name Search:

• Hudson Valley Tours, Inc.
• Hudson Valley Tours, Corp.
• Hudson Valley Tours, L.L.C.

Filler Words

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

• The Riverside Gardens LLC
• At Riverside Gardens Inc.
• Riverside & Gardens L.L.C.
• By Riverside Gardens 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 "Sunsets Views LLC", it will not be available if any of the following names are found:

• Sunsets Views LLC
• Sunset's View Inc.
• Sunsets View, L.L.C.

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 44 Degrees LLC, it won't be available if any of these names are already registered in New York:

• Forty-Four Degrees LLC
• Forty Four Degrees Inc.

Punctuation and Special Characters (Symbols)

Generally, adding or removing punctuation and special characters doesn't make a name distinguishable.

For instance, if your desired LLC name is "Green Leaf Studio LLC", it won't be available if any of the following are found:

• Green-Leaf-Studio Inc.
• Green Leaf "Studio" LLC
• Green Leaf! Studio! Inc.

Exception: Special Characters that DO Create Distinguishability

According to the New York Division of Corporations, using these symbols can make a name distinguishable:

• at sign (@)
• dollar sign ($)
• equal sign (=)
• percentage sign (%)
• plus sign (+)
• number sign (#)
• cent sign (¢)

For example: Suppose you want to name your LLC "Bright Stars LLC", but there is already a New York business called "Bright Stars Inc." To make your name distinct, you could use a symbol from this list, such as "Bright Stars @ LLC".

Spaces and Hyphens

Adjusting spaces or using hyphens between words doesn't make a business name unique.

For example, if your desired LLC name is Coastal Breeze LLC, it's not available if any of the following are already registered:

• Coastal-Breeze Inc.
• CoastalBreeze Corp.
• Coastal Breeze, L.L.C.

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 "Empire Innovators LLC", it may not be available if these names are already in use:

• Empire Innovators LLC
• Empire Innovates Inc.
• Empire Innovation Corp.

Verb Tenses

Verb tenses do not create distinguishability for business names. The Division of Corporations evaluates the core word used, regardless of its tense, whether past, present, or future. The final decision will depend on the judgment of the LLC examiner handling your application.

For example, if you want to name your LLC Rise Above LLC, it may not be available if similar names are already registered, such as:

Rose Above Inc. Rising Above LLC

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:

• NY Bagel Co. Inc.
• NY Bagels Company LLC
• New York Bagels Inc.

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 plan to use "Manhattan" in your business name, be sure to also search for "Manhattan" with abbreviations or variations, like "Mtn" or "Manh." Similarly, if you want to use "NYC" for New York City, check for "New York City" as well.

Capitalization

Variations in capitalization don't make a business name distinct.

For instance, if you want to use "Sunset Photography LLC" for your LLC, it won't be available if similar names are already registered, such as:

• sunset photography Inc.
• Sunset PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
• SuNsEt PhOtOgRaPhY Ltd.

What If My Business Name Is Rejected?

If you submit your New York 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.