Georgia 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 Georgia’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 Georgia or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in Georgia

Time needed: 10 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in forming an LLC. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records on Georgia’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 $25 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of Georgia. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to the Office of Secretary of State, Corporations Division, Name Reservation Request, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
    SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.

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 Georgia LLC Online Name Search

Having a unique name for your business is necessary while you are forming an LLC in Georgia. There are the things you need to know when you are searching for an LLC name in Georgia. There are a bunch of guidelines to check out before you decide on names for your business.

To search for your business name in Georgia, you need to go to the Georgia Secretary of State website.

To search the business name, one has to visit the online service page of the Georgia Secretary of State Corporation Division website. Go to the “Business Search” tab on the homepage and click on it.

Georgia name search SOS

One can search for Business names in three different ways. Below are the details of the three ways to LLC name search in Georgia.

Business Search

In this section, one has to enter the name that they have for their LLC. There are three options in this section. ‘Starts with’, ‘Exact Match’, and ‘Contains’, are the options that one can use to search the LLC name. Each option will show similar or the same business names (if any) and their details.

Georgia name search step 1

There are boxes like registered agent name, officer name, and control number. These sections narrow down the search. However, these are not mandatory fields to be filed.

Service of Process Search

In this section, you can enter the defender’s name, plaintiff’s name, civil action number, and so on to search the business details. As you enter the details and hit the Search button, you will see the list of similar or the same businesses.

Georgia name search step 2

Trademark Search

Finally, in this section, one can search for business entities by providing trademark information. Registration number, Mark name, registrar’s name, and some other information should be given to get the business details.

Georgia name search step 3
Points to be noted:
  • Trademark search only shows the businesses that are registered under the Georgia Secretary of State. Businesses that are registered as foreign, different states, or under federal are not shown in the result
  • If the name you are searching for has no result to show then the name is not taken yet.
  • If you find a bunch of similar names in the list then it must not be unique and can be easily mixed up with other existing companies.

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 Georgia

To reserve an LLC name in Georgia you need to submit a name reservation request form to the Georgia Secretary of State by mail for $35 or online by paying a filing fee of $25.

When starting a business in Georgia, it is vital to ensure that your chosen business name is available and compliant with state regulations. Reserving an LLC name can help you secure your desired name for a period of time before you officially register your business with the state. This reservation can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your chosen name will be available when you are ready to move forward with forming your LLC.

To reserve an LLC name in Georgia, you must first perform a name search to ensure that your desired name is not already in use. You can conduct a name search online through the Georgia Secretary of State’s website to check for existing business entities with the same or similar names. It is important to choose a name that is distinguishable from other businesses to avoid any potential legal issues down the line.

Once you have confirmed that your desired LLC name is available, you can proceed with reserving the name with the state. To reserve a name, you will need to submit a Name Reservation Request form to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporations Division. This form can be submitted online or by mail, along with the required filing fee. The reservation will typically be valid for a period of 30-90 days, during which time you can hold the name for your business.

Reserving an LLC name in Georgia is a wise decision for any entrepreneur looking to start a business in the state. By securing your desired name early on, you can avoid potential conflicts with other businesses and ensure that your brand identity remains intact. Additionally, reserving a name can give you the flexibility to take your time in completing the necessary steps to form your LLC without the pressure of losing your chosen name.

In conclusion, reserving an LLC name in Georgia is a crucial step in the process of starting a business. By conducting a name search, choosing a unique name, and securing the name with the state, you can protect your brand and set yourself up for success as a business owner. Don’t overlook the importance of securing your LLC name – it can be the key to building a strong foundation for your business in the state of Georgia.

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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