Iowa LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is Iowa’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting an LLC in Iowa or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Iowa

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing an Iowa LLC name search. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records in Iowa’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and meets the state’s requirements.

    Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names.

  2. Check Domain Availability

    If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.

  3. File Name Reservation

    A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name online, by mail, or in person with a $10 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Iowa. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Secretary of State Business Services Division, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

Check Name Availability
Reserve Name Online
Download Reservation form

Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC

  • Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
  • Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
  • Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.

Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.

How to do a Iowa LLC Online Name Search

Here’s an easy-to-follow guideline on how you can do an online search for your Iowa LLC name.

Access the Business Entities Search Tool of the State of Iowa

The State of Iowa provides a Business Entity Search Tool to assist you in deciding the uniqueness of your proposed business name. This tool is very helpful in deciding whether the proposed business name is available for usage in the territory or not. Keep a list of backup names ready, so you can select the final name in a few attempts.

Enter the name

After you navigate to the search page, you will find two different types of search filters that you can execute to find a relevant name for your business. You can perform the search either by the “Business Name”, or “Business Number”.

Perform the Search

Search the availability of the chosen name on the website. If the proposed business name is already in use, the page will display the relevant details of the business using the same name. The State of Iowa does not display the social security number of such businesses in its privacy policy. Conduct thorough research of the name by using the provided filters before filing it with the Authorities.

If you intend to take your business online by setting up a website, you should also check if a domain name similar to your chosen business name is available for your business.

Next, if you also wish to use a Trademark for the distinct identity of your business, you can run a search on the Trademark Database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to check if the chosen name is already in use by some other business entity. After finalizing a name for your LLC in Iowa you can file an application for reservation of the name either online or via mail.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.

What if my name is unavailable?

For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in Iowa

To reserve an LLC name in Iowa you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Iowa Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $10.

In Iowa, the process of reserving an LLC name is relatively straightforward. The first step is to conduct a name search to ensure that your desired name is not already in use by another business in the state. This can be done by searching the Iowa Secretary of State’s online database of existing business names. It is important to choose a unique name that will distinguish your LLC from others in the marketplace.

Once you have confirmed that your desired name is available, you can reserve it for a period of 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Application with the Iowa Secretary of State. This form can be submitted online or by mail, along with a fee of $10. By reserving your LLC name, you can ensure that no other business can register using the same name during the 120-day period.

Reserving your LLC name is especially important if you are not yet ready to officially register your business. This can give you the time you need to complete other necessary steps, such as creating an operating agreement, obtaining an employer identification number (EIN), and opening a business bank account. By reserving your name, you can protect it until you are ready to move forward with the formation of your LLC.

It is worth noting that reserving an LLC name does not automatically give you the right to use that name as a trademark or service mark. If you wish to protect your business name in that way, you will need to apply for a federal trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This additional step can provide you with legal protection against others using your business name for their own purposes.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in Iowa is a simple yet important step in the formation process of your business. By taking the time to secure your desired name, you can ensure that it will be available when you are ready to register your LLC. This small investment of time and money can save you from potential legal headaches down the road and help set your business up for success.

In Conclusion

LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name

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