New York LLC Name Search — Step 1 of 9
Before you can form your New York LLC, your name has to clear two tests: it must include a proper LLC designator, and it must be distinguishable from every other business already on file with the Department of State. This guide explains the rules and gives you a tool to check your name against both.
A New York LLC name must contain Limited Liability Company, LLC or L.L.C. and be distinguishable on Department of State records. Certain restricted words require agency approval. The public database search is free and preliminary; DOS decides final availability. Optional reservation costs $20 for 60 days. You may request two additional 60-day extensions, $20 each, before the current reservation expires.
- Required ending
- LLC / L.L.C.
- Standard
- Distinguishable
- Search tool
- NY DOS database
- Cost to search
- Free
- Optional reservation
- $20 / 60 days; two 60-day extensions, $20 each
- Governing law
- LLC Law §204
- Next step
- Step 2 →
New York LLC Naming Rules
New York's naming rules come from Section 204 of the Limited Liability Company Law. Two requirements matter most, and a third catches people off guard:
- It must include a designator: "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." in the name.
- It must be distinguishable from the names of other LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships already on file with the Department of State.
- It can't imply it's a corporation (no "Inc.," "Corp.," or "Incorporated") or falsely suggest a government or restricted purpose.
New York LLC Name Compliance Checker
Screen the designator and literal examples below, then check the official state database. This local tool cannot determine availability, consent eligibility, abbreviations/derivatives or trademark clearance.
New York LLC Name Screening
Literal examples only. This tool does not check the DOS index, complete abbreviations/derivatives, consent eligibility, professional-entity rules or trademarks. An unflagged name is not cleared for filing.Restricted & Prohibited Words
Prohibited examples under §204(e)
Board of trade, chamber of commerce, community renewal, corporation, incorporated, partnership, state police, state trooper, tenant relocation, urban development and urban relocation. The statute also covers abbreviations and derivatives.
Consent and context rules
Section 204(f) lists financial/professional words including bank, trust, finance, insurance, investment, attorney, doctor and lawyer. DFS approval is generally required; doctor/lawyer terms have a stated nonprofessional-context exception. Section 204(g) addresses blind/handicapped, (h) exchange and Attorney General approval, and (i) education terms and Education Commissioner consent. Other statutes may restrict additional terms.
These are summaries, not complete clearance. Read current LLC Law §204 and confirm the exact name and context with DOS.
How to Search the NY Business Database
The Department of State runs a free Corporation and Business Entity Database where you can see whether your name is already taken. Search the distinctive part of your name (drop the "LLC") and look for exact and close matches.
- Search your core name only — the checker above strips the designator for you.
- Remember "distinguishable" is strict — a different ending, punctuation, or plural usually won't set you apart from an existing name.
- Have a backup name ready in case your first choice is taken.
- ✓Ask whether name screening is included. The state decides name availability and filing acceptance.
- ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.
- ✓Confirm registered-agent eligibility, coverage, included periods and renewal charges.
- ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings.
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New York LLC Name — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. This guide summarizes LLC Law §204 and links the official DOS database. Confirm the exact proposed name, context and required consents before filing.
About Ahmad Adil → New York LLC Overview →