Delaware LLC Name Search

How to search for LLC names in Delaware

Searching for an available LLC name in Delaware is a required first step before submitting your Certificate of Formation to the Delaware Division of Corporations. The Division's online entity search database lets you check whether a business name is already in use by an active or recently dissolved entity registered in the state. Finding no exact match in the database means a name may be available, but it does not constitute a legal guarantee — the Division makes the final determination when your formation documents are reviewed. The database reflects names of corporations, LLCs, and other entities on file, so a thorough search should include variations in spelling, abbreviations, and similar-sounding names to avoid rejection and the delays that come with resubmitting documents.

Step-by-step: using the Delaware Division of Corporations name search

1. 1. Navigate to the Delaware Division of Corporations entity search page at https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx.
2. 2. Enter your proposed LLC name in the 'Entity Name' field. You can search by the full name or enter a partial name followed by a wildcard to see all entities beginning with those letters.
3. 3. Select the entity type filter if you want to narrow results to LLCs specifically, then click 'Search' to retrieve matching records.
4. 4. Review the list of results carefully, paying attention to names that are identical, nearly identical, or phonetically similar to your proposed name — the Division applies a 'distinguishable' standard, not just an exact-match standard.
5. 5. If your search returns no conflicting results, proceed to file your Certificate of Formation online through the Division's filing portal at https://corp.delaware.gov/howtoform/ or reserve the name first if you are not ready to file immediately.

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Delaware LLC naming rules

• The LLC name must contain the words 'Limited Liability Company', the abbreviation 'LLC', or the abbreviation 'L.L.C.' — these designators are mandatory under Delaware Code Title 6, Section 18-102.
• The name must be distinguishable upon the records of the Delaware Division of Corporations from the names of all other active entities and reserved names already on file in the state.
• The name cannot contain language that implies the entity is organized for a purpose other than a lawful purpose permitted by Delaware LLC law.
• Words suggesting government affiliation — such as 'State', 'Federal', 'United States', 'Treasury', or 'Department' — are prohibited unless the entity actually operates with appropriate governmental authorization.
• Restricted professional terms including 'Bank', 'Trust', 'Insurance', 'Incorporated', and similar regulated terms require prior approval from the relevant Delaware state regulatory agency before the Division of Corporations will accept a filing using that term.
• The name may not include language that the Division of Corporations determines to be obscene, deceptive, or misleading to the public.
• Punctuation, special characters, and certain symbols may cause a filing to be rejected; the Division recommends using only standard alphanumeric characters and common punctuation such as commas and periods.
• A name that differs from an existing name only by a word like 'the', 'and', 'or', punctuation, or capitalization is generally considered NOT distinguishable and will be rejected by the Division.

Restricted words in Delaware LLC names

The following words require special approval from a state agency before you can use them in your Delaware LLC name:

• Bank / Banking / Banker — requires approval from the Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner
• Trust / Trust Company — requires regulatory clearance before use in a Delaware entity name
• Insurance / Insurer / Reinsurance — requires approval from the Delaware Department of Insurance
• University / College — implies accredited academic status and requires verification of educational authorization
• Attorney / Lawyers / Law Firm — may imply a professional legal entity subject to bar association rules rather than standard LLC formation
• Engineer / Engineering — use by an LLC may trigger review under Delaware professional licensing statutes
• Doctor / Medical / Pharmacy — health-related professional terms may require licensure verification from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation
• Federal / United States / National — terms implying federal government affiliation are prohibited without actual authorization

How to reserve an LLC name in Delaware

Delaware allows you to reserve an LLC name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation application with the Division of Corporations. The filing fee is $75 for standard processing, with expedited options available for an additional fee. The reservation can be filed online through the Division's portal or by mail. If you need more time, you may renew the reservation before it expires by filing a new application and paying the fee again.

Tips for choosing an LLC name that passes in Delaware

• Search multiple variations of your proposed name — try the full name, common abbreviations, and phonetic equivalents, because the Division's distinguishability standard catches more than just exact matches.
• Run a parallel search on the USPTO federal trademark database at tmsearch.uspto.gov to confirm your chosen name does not infringe on a registered trademark, which could create legal liability even if the state approves the name.
• Check domain name availability at the same time as your state search — securing a matching .com domain early protects your brand and simplifies future marketing.
• Avoid geographic terms like 'Delaware' or 'Wilmington' in your name unless your business is specifically tied to that location, as these terms can complicate expansion into other states and may be interpreted as misleading if your operations are national.
• Choose a name that leaves room for your business to grow — overly specific product or service descriptors may box you in if your offerings expand over time.
• Once you identify an available name you intend to use, file the name reservation or your Certificate of Formation promptly, because Delaware does not hold names for you while you deliberate and another filer can claim the name at any time.