Locate your state in the tables below. Most states allow you to search without creating a log-in, but there are a select few (noted below) that require a log-in and/or a small fee to conduct the search.

If your state’s database uses a business name search, do not include the “LLC” suffix to your business name in your search. This will ensure that all variations of the name are found, including ones filed as corporations or other entity types. If your state’s database is a name availability search, enter the full LLC name with the “LLC” suffix.
​(Note: California is the only state that does not prevent an LLC from using the same name as a corporation.)

Conduct both an exact name search as well as partial name search. The mechanisms for conducting a partial name search vary by state (for example, you may have to select “Advanced Search” options to access it).

If your LLC name includes articles or conjunctions, perform different search variations with those words removed as you may receive different search results.
​(Articles and conjunctions are words like: the, and, or, a, an, but, for, etc. States call these “noise words” and in many cases, disregard them when it comes to determining if the name is distinguishable from other names on record. For example, a name like “Donut and Coffee LLC” is not usually seen as different from the name “Donut Coffee LLC”.)

If the LLC name includes a number, search the name with the spelled out number (ex: “five”), the Arabic number (ex: “5”), and the Roman numeral (ex: “V”). You are likely to get different results.

If you have multiple names in mind, repeat the same search processes above for each name to help inform your final choice.

Once you’ve selected your name, let Collective know by entering the name in your onboarding questionnaire. Your LLC name is not guaranteed to be available for use; final name approval is up to the state reviewer. If your name was rejected, we will inform you via email and ask you to submit an alternate name.