LLC SCHOOL · PRACTICAL EDUCATION
LLC name search checklist
Use this self-reported checklist to organize manual name checks. It does not search government databases, reserve a name or establish permission to use one.
What the result means
The result lists checks you marked complete and checks still open. A complete checklist is not a government decision, a trademark clearance or a guarantee that a filing will be accepted.
Business Name Readiness Checker
This tool does not claim live availability. It identifies what you have and have not checked before you file.
Your state's filing office controls the legal entity-name check.
Designator, restricted words and distinguishability are state-specific.
A state database is not a federal trademark clearance search.
Domain and online identity matter before you commit to signs, packaging or marketing.
Your name idea and checklist progress stay in this browser. Reset clears this tool’s saved progress. No account or cross-device synchronization is provided.
How to use this checklist
- Enter a working name and choose the state you are considering.
- Open the state guide from the result and use its official agency resources to make your own checks.
- Separately review federal trademark resources and your domain or brand plans.
- Mark only the steps you actually completed, then generate your next-step list. Recheck official records before relying on an earlier search.
Keep the different name checks separate
An entity name, trademark, DBA and domain serve different purposes. A state business-name search is not a substitute for trademark research. Review similar marks and the USPTO’s clearance-search guidance, rather than treating an exact-name search as legal clearance.
Official sources and scope
- SBA: Choose your business name — entity names, trademarks, DBAs and domains.
- USPTO: Search our trademark database — search system and clearance-search resources.
These national source topics were checked on 24 October 2026. No state-specific name rule, reservation fee or search result is certified by this tool. Verify those details with the relevant state agency.
Common questions
Does this check whether my name is available?
No. You make the searches yourself. The tool records your selections and points to the next checks.
Will a complete checklist protect my name?
No. The check marks describe your reported progress. They do not establish filing approval or trademark rights.
Can I use it without saving a name idea?
Yes. Leave the name blank and use the state selector and check boxes. If browser storage is blocked, you can still use the tool during the visit.
Read the full LLC name-search guide or explore the LLC cost calculator.