Washington LLC Name Search & Lookup (Guide)
Choosing the right name for your LLC is crucial when starting a business in Washington.
Knowing how to look up your LLC name is essential. You can conduct a Washington LLC name search to ensure your desired name is available and doesn’t conflict with existing businesses.
Knowing how to navigate this process can save you time and help you make informed decisions for your venture.
Should You Conduct a Washington Name Search or an LLC Lookup?
Conducting a Washington name search or LLC lookup is vital when forming an LLC in Washington.
You can conduct either search easily on the Washington Secretary of State’s website. It’s recommended to start with a name search to ensure availability before diving into deeper searches about existing entities.
Here’s why you should do this:
- Ensure Legal Compliance: Washington requires that all LLC names be unique and distinguishable from existing entities, so a name search helps ensure you meet state requirements.
- Avoid Legal and Trademark Issues: A name search reveals any existing businesses or trademarks with similar names, reducing the risk of potential lawsuits or disputes over intellectual property.
- Prevent Application Rejections: Confirming name availability beforehand helps avoid rejections or delays in your LLC application, as Washington will not approve duplicate names.
- Establish a Clear Brand Identity: A unique, verified name helps differentiate your business in the market, making it easier for customers to find and recognize your brand.
- Optimize Online Presence: Checking that your LLC name is available increases the chances of securing matching domains and social media handles, supporting a consistent brand across all platforms.
Washington LLC Name Search (step-by-step)
Follow these clear steps to perform a Washington LLC name search or lookup:
Step 1: Visit the Washington Secretary of State’s website
Visit the Washington Secretary of State’s website at sos.wa.gov. This site hosts the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS), essential for conducting your LLC name search.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Corporations & Charities” section
Once on the homepage, navigate to the “Corporations & Charities” section and click the “Search Tools” link. This link will take you to a page where you can initiate your search for business names.
Step 3: Enter the desired LLC name in the search field
On the “Washington Corporations and Charities System” page, scroll down to the “Corporation Search” section.
Enter the exact name of the LLC you wish to check in the search field. Ensure that the spelling is correct, as this will affect your search results.
After entering the LLC name, choose your search criteria from the options available. You can select “Contains,” “Begins With,” or “Exact Match.” This choice narrows down the results based on how closely the names align with your search term.
Click on the “Advanced Search” button for more search options for your Washington LLC name search.
You can search using the following criteria:
- Search Type
- Business Name
- Business Type
- Business Status
- Date of Formation
- Registered Agent Name
- Registered Agent Address
Once you have entered the name and selected the search criteria, click the “Search” button. This action will submit your query to the database.
Step 4: Review the search results for name availability
After completing the search, carefully review the results displayed on your screen. The results will show whether your desired LLC name is available or already taken.
If the name is available, the system will show “No Value Found.” However, if the name is in use, it will return details about businesses using the name. These details include Business Name, UBI Number, Business Type, Principal Office Address, Registered Agent Name, and Status.
Clicking on any search result will take you to a “Business Information” page that contains more business details.
Here are the details:
- Expiration Date
- Formation/ Registration Date
- Jurisdiction
- Nature of Business
- Period of Duration
- Registered Agent Information
- Governors
If you find that your desired LLC name is available, you can move forward with the registration process.
Important LLC Naming Guidelines and Requirements in Washington
When naming your LLC in Washington, you must follow specific guidelines set by the state.
1. Mandatory Terms
Your LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviations: “LLC” or “L.L.C.” These terms indicate your business’s legal structure, which helps distinguish it from other entity types, like corporations or partnerships.
2. Name Uniqueness and Distinctiveness
Washington law requires your LLC name to be distinguishable from any other registered business name in the state.
The name must be sufficiently different from existing names and cannot rely on minor alterations like capitalization, spacing, punctuation, or suffixes. For instance, “Pacific Solutions LLC” and “Pacific Solutions, L.L.C.” would not be considered unique from one another.
3. Prohibited Governmental Terms
Terms that imply affiliation with federal, state, or local government entities, such as “Treasury,” “FBI,” “State Department,” or “CIA,” are prohibited to avoid misleading the public. Using such terms without proper authorization is not permitted.
4. Restricted Industry-Specific Terms
Certain terms associated with regulated professions or industries are restricted and may require additional permits or approval.
Words like “Bank,” “Trust,” “Credit Union,” “Insurance,” “University,” “Attorney,” or “Engineer” are generally reserved for licensed professionals or institutions that meet state requirements.
5. Trademark and Intellectual Property Considerations
Conducting a federal and state trademark search before registering your LLC name is advised. This helps ensure your chosen name doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks, preventing potential legal conflicts and costly rebranding efforts.
6. Optional Name Reservation
If you’re not ready to file your LLC right away, Washington offers the option to reserve your business name for 180 days. This reservation prevents other entities from using the name while you finalize your LLC paperwork.
What Words are not allowed in my Washington LLC name?
Here are specific words not allowed in Washington LLC names:
- Bank: Only certified banking institutions can use this term to avoid public confusion about the entity’s services.
- Insurance: Reserved for licensed insurance companies; implies regulated financial services that require specific licensing.
- Credit Union and Trust: Restricted to entities that meet specific regulatory and licensing standards in the financial sector.
- University and College: Reserved for accredited educational institutions to protect the integrity of official academic programs.
- Hospital and Clinic: Limited to licensed medical facilities to ensure public trust in health-related services.
- FBI, CIA, Treasury: These terms suggest a connection with federal government agencies and are prohibited to prevent misleading affiliations.
- Federal, State, National: Words that imply governmental endorsement or affiliation are restricted unless there’s explicit approval.
- Lawyer, Doctor, Engineer: Professional terms requiring licensure or certification; these are limited to individuals or businesses qualified in these professions.
- Charity and Foundation: Reserved for registered nonprofit entities to avoid misrepresenting charitable purposes.
How do I File a Washington LLC Name Reservation? (In steps)
Here are the steps for filing a name reservation for your Washington LLC:
Step 1: Visit the Washington Secretary of State’s website
Start by visiting the official Washington Secretary of State’s website at sos.wa.gov. This site is the central hub for all business filings and reservations in Washington.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Corporations & Charities” section and click “Download Forms”
Once on the website, locate the “Corporations & Charities” section. Here, you will find information about business registrations, including name reservations.
In the “Corporations & Charities” section, you will see a link that says “Download Forms.” Select this option to begin the online filing process for your name reservation.
Step 4: Select “Name Reservation” from the list of available filings
On the “Download Forms / Online Filing Instructions” page, scroll down to “Maintenance Forms” and click on it. Choose the “Name Reservation” option and click on “Form.”
This will take you to a page where you can download the Name Reservation form needed to reserve your LLC name.
Step 5: Pay the name reservation fee and mail the name reservation request
After filling in the necessary information, the next step is to pay the reservation fee. The current fee for reserving a name for an LLC in Washington is $30.
After completing the form and making your checks or money orders payable to the “Secretary of State,” mail it to the indicated Washington SOS Corporations & Charities Division address.
Other Business Entities and Naming Considerations
When starting a business in Washington, consider other naming options and legal considerations like registering a DBA and trademark, and checking domain name availability.
Filing for Doing Business As (DBA) in Washington
Filing a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name in Washington lets your LLC operate under a different name than its registered one.
Choose a unique name that complies with state naming rules, avoiding restricted terms like “Bank” or “Insurance.” Then verify availability using the Washington Secretary of State’s database to prevent conflicts.
Register your DBA by filing a Business License Application with the Department of Revenue, which requires a $5 fee.
Trade Names and Trademark Search
Before settling on a business name, conduct a trade name and trademark search to avoid legal issues. A trade name is simply the name you use to identify your business, while a trademark provides legal protection for that name.
Use the Washington Secretary of State’s website or the federal trademark database to check for current trademarks. You can search by name or registration number to ensure that no similar names already exist.
Registering a trademark protects your brand and prevents others from using a similar name in your industry.
Check Domain Name Availability
In today’s digital world, having an online presence is essential. Part of this includes checking if your desired domain name is available.
Use online tools to check availability quickly. Websites like GoDaddy or Namecheap can assist with this process. Try variations of your business name, as many common names may already be taken.
Once you find an available domain, consider registering it to secure your online identity. Having a matching domain name can enhance your branding and improve customer trust.
Final Thoughts – Is it Worth it to Search and Reserve My Business in Washington?
Conducting a business name search and reservation in Washington is highly worthwhile, as it helps secure your unique brand identity and prevents costly legal or administrative issues.
By confirming your chosen name’s availability, you avoid application rejections due to duplicates or similar existing names.
Reserving your name is useful if you’re not ready to file immediately. This optional step holds the name for future use and protects it from other applicants. This step saves time, supports brand consistency, and lays a solid foundation for your LLC.
Related Posts on Washington LLC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up an LLC in Washington?
Setting up an LLC in Washington typically takes 12-14 business days if you file online. If you choose to mail your documents, it may take longer, up to several weeks.
How do I search for and get a Trademark for my business in Washington?
To search for a trademark, you can use the Washington Secretary of State’s trademark database online. If you want to register a trademark, you will need to complete an application and pay the associated fee.
How do I change my Washington LLC name?
To change your LLC’s name, you must file an Amendment to the Articles of Organization with the Washington Secretary of State. There is a $30 fee for this process and you should ensure your new name is available.
Does my Washington LLC need a DBA?
A DBA, or “Doing Business As,” is not required in Washington but may be helpful if your LLC operates under a name different from its registered name. If you choose to use a DBA, you must register it with the county.
How can you check if an LLC name is available in Washington?
You can check the availability of an LLC name by using the name availability search tool on the Washington Secretary of State’s website. This tool allows you to see if the name is in use or too similar to existing entities.
What steps are required to search for a business entity in Washington State?
To search for a business entity in Washington, visit the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Filing System. You can perform basic and advanced searches using various criteria, such as the business name or Unified Business Identifier (UBI).
Where can one perform a free business license search in Washington State?
You can perform a free business license search through the Washington Department of Revenue’s website. This site provides information on business licenses and their statuses.
Can you look up a Washington State UBI number online?
Yes, you can look up a Washington State UBI number online. This information is accessible through the Washington Secretary of State’s business entity search tool.
How do you confirm the registration status of a Washington LLC?
To confirm the registration status of a Washington LLC, use the Secretary of State’s business entity search. This will show whether your LLC is active, inactive, or dissolved.
What is the process for verifying a Washington State business license?
To verify a business license in Washington State, you can visit the Department of Revenue’s website. You can search for the business by name or UBI to find detailed license information.
Disclosure: We may earn commissions if you buy via links on our website. Commissions don’t affect our opinions or evaluations. We’re also an independent affiliate of many platforms, including ClickFunnels, Kartra, GoHighLevel, Podia, Northwest Registered Agent, and others. We’re not employees of these services. We receive referral payments from them, and the opinions expressed here are our own and are not official statements of these companies.
