Naming your business is a crucial first step to creating an llc in Louisiana. By using Louisiana’s Business Entity Search, naming your business will be easy. In addition to registering a domain name, you’ll want to reserve your business’s name. Your domain name is the name that customers will use to find you online. This reservation will help you stand out from the competition and is required to formalize your LLC.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Louisiana LLC Name Search
Choosing a business name for your Louisiana LLC
Choosing a business name for your Louisiana, llc is an important step to take before you begin the process of forming your company. Before registering your name, you must check to see if it is already in use by a company with the same name. If it is, you will have to go back to the drawing board. If it is not, you may use an assumed name for your LLC. Alternatively, you may use a trade name that is different from your llc name.
When choosing the name for your llc, make sure that it is unique and does not contain the words ‘limited liability company’ or ‘limited’ in it. The Secretary of State database will list all registered businesses in Louisiana and their names. You can use the form to reserve the name of your louisiana llc. Be aware that you only have 120 days to use the name before it is taken by another company. If it is, you must pay the reservation fee of $25 to get the name reserved.
After choosing the name of your louisiana llc, you need to decide on the domain name. If your business name conflicts with a registered government entity, you might be facing legal trouble. To avoid this, you can use an llc name availability checker to ensure that your business name is not already being used by another company or government entity. In addition, it is important to check if there are other businesses that have the same name as yours.
While starting a business in Louisiana is relatively affordable, there are still important steps you need to take in order to protect your personal assets. You can file an articles of organization with the Secretary of State, and you must hold an “Organizational Meeting” to formally organize your company. The meeting also issues Member Certificates and adopts the company’s operating agreement. If you can’t find a name that matches your business, you can use a DBA instead.
Requirements for a business name in Louisiana
There are a number of important requirements to meet when registering your new business in Louisiana. Your new business must be distinctive from others in its industry. Listed below are some of the requirements. In addition to a unique name, your business name must not include terms such as “nonprofit”, “charity”, or “government organization.”
First, you must make sure that your proposed name is available. You should search the public records and make sure that it is not already in use. You can also choose to use a DBA name. A DBA name is much more concise than a full legal name, and it makes branding and marketing much easier. It also protects your privacy, allowing you to use it instead of your personal name when opening a business bank account.
In Louisiana, your fictitious business name is valid for five years. After this period, you must renew it with the parish where your business is located. In addition, LLCs are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s geauxBiz portal. However, you can check the availability of your chosen business name with a search engine or use a social search tool such as GoDaddy.
After you’ve decided on your business structure, you must decide whether to register your business name under your legal name or as a brand name. Generally, people choose to use their legal name as the business name. The legal name is what you see on the formation documents, while the brand name is what you use to market your company. In Louisiana, you can register your brand name under your legal name or under your surname.
DBA names provide limited protection, but they don’t offer the same level of exclusivity as trademarks. A registered trade name protects you from competing businesses, but if someone has a similar name, you must register it first. You must ensure that your DBA name is distinguishable from the one registered by another business. If you’re thinking of changing your legal name, check out GeauxBIZ’s website for information.
Performing a business name search in Louisiana
Before filing for your new business in Louisiana, you must make sure that the name you want is available. Using the official website of the Louisiana Secretary of State will help you find any business entity with the same name. You can also search business entities on social networks to see if the business name is available on the same domain. In Louisiana, a business name can be a registered trademark or a tradename.
When searching for a business name, you should type in the first two words of the name you are considering. Then, you can search for the word variants and similar-sounding names. If the name is not yet registered, you will see zero results. Otherwise, you will get a list of similar business names. The state will let you know if your name has been registered. If not, you can reserve it for later use.
A business name search in Louisiana can also be performed through the Secretary of State’s commercial division. This office is responsible for filing information about business entities in Louisiana and administering the state’s trademark laws. The business entity search tool offered by the Secretary of State is similar to the screenshot below. To search for the name you want, simply type the business name you intend to use into the search box. After typing in the name, you will be directed to a page where you can enter any required information.
Another way to check if your proposed business name is available is to use the Business Entity Search Tool of the Louisiana Secretary of State. This tool will show you the availability of the name you want and how many other companies are using the same name. Make sure you keep a list of backup names and have the final choice after several tries. This is essential in the beginning stages of the business. If you’re unsure, you can use the Business Name Generator to get an idea of how to name your new business.
Once you’ve chosen the name you want, you should also decide on the web domain you plan to use. A website with a matching URL will make it easier for customers to find your business. Domain name registration in Louisiana is handled by the Secretary of State’s commercial division, and it is possible to reserve a business name through this service. A business name can be reserved for 60 days, and you can request two 30 day extensions at no extra cost.
Registering a trade name in Louisiana
If you want to conduct business in Louisiana, you must first register your trade name. This is equivalent to a “doing business as” name. It is registered just like trade and service marks. Trade name applications must be filed with the Commercial Division of the Louisiana Secretary of State. Make sure the name you are choosing is available. Once you have found it, you can fill out the application and get it notarized. Next, you need to find the filing fee and file the application.
The Secretary of State will not approve a trade name if it infringes on another business’s name in the state. While you can do a simple search using Google, you may end up with results that are far less systematic. For example, you might discover that a business’s name is already registered in the neighboring state. If this is the case, it’s ok to register your trade name in Louisiana, but if you are planning to expand your business, you should check the state’s database to make sure your name is not already registered in another state.
If you are operating a business under a fictitious name, you must file for a DBA. DBA is an acronym for “Doing Business As” and is also a registered trade name. In Louisiana, a DBA is also referred to as “Doing Business As.” Assumed names are a common way for businesses to hide their identity. The purpose of registering a trade name in Louisiana is to protect consumers from being misled.
A trade name should never suggest that the business is associated with a state agency, federal government, or other entity other than its registered one. If the business is a sole proprietorship, the word “sole proprietorship” is not allowed, nor can “Corporation.” The name of a public facility cannot be included in a trade name without the consent of its owner. If you are in Louisiana, you must file a trade name as soon as you start conducting business.