Florida LLC Name Search
Check if your LLC name is available in Florida before you file. Here is how to search the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) database, the naming rules, and how to reserve a name.
Search Florida LLC names →How to search for LLC names in Florida
Searching for an available LLC name in Florida is a required step before submitting your Articles of Organization to the Florida Division of Corporations, also known as Sunbiz. The Sunbiz entity search database displays all active and inactive business entities registered in the state, including LLCs, corporations, and fictitious names. Running a search lets you see whether a name is already taken, too similar to an existing entity, or potentially in conflict. Keep in mind that a name not appearing in the Sunbiz database does not guarantee it will be approved — the Division of Corporations reviews submissions for distinguishability against existing records at the time of filing. Checking early gives you time to identify alternatives and secure a strong, compliant name before paying the filing fee.
Step-by-step: using the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) name search
- 1. Navigate to the Florida Division of Corporations name search tool at https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName.
- 2. In the 'Entity Name' field, type the name you want to use for your Florida LLC — you can search by the full name or just the first few distinctive words.
- 3. Select 'Florida Limited Liability' from the 'Entity Type' dropdown to filter results specifically to LLCs, or leave it set to 'All' to see conflicts across all entity types.
- 4. Click the 'Search' button and review the list of results — look for names that are identical, phonetically similar, or differ only by punctuation, spaces, or common words like 'the' or 'and'.
- 5. Repeat the search using variations of your name (abbreviations, alternate spellings, singular vs. plural) to ensure no confusingly similar entities exist before you file or reserve the name.
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Florida LLC naming rules
- Must include a designator: the name must end with 'Limited Liability Company', 'LLC', or 'L.L.C.' — abbreviations 'LC' and 'L.C.' are also accepted under Florida Statute 605.0112.
- Must be distinguishable: the name must be distinguishable on the records of the Division of Corporations from all other active Florida entity names — differences in only punctuation, spaces, or articles ('the', 'a') are generally not considered distinguishable.
- Cannot imply government affiliation: words like 'FBI', 'Treasury', 'State', 'Federal', or 'United States' that imply the LLC is a government agency or affiliated with one are prohibited.
- Restricted professional terms require approval: words such as 'Bank', 'Banker', 'Banking', 'Insurance', 'Insurer', 'Trust', 'Engineer', 'Architect', and similar regulated terms require prior written approval or licensure from the relevant Florida regulatory agency before use.
- Cannot be deceptive or misleading: a name that falsely implies the LLC is a nonprofit, charity, professional association, or governmental entity when it is not will be rejected.
- Professional title restrictions apply: terms like 'Attorney', 'Doctor', 'CPA', or 'Certified Public Accountant' in an LLC name generally require that the members hold the applicable Florida license.
- Florida-specific reserved word: the word 'Olympic' and related terms are federally protected and cannot be used without authorization from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
- Cannot use obscene language: any name containing language deemed obscene or offensive under Florida law will be rejected by the Division of Corporations.
Restricted words in Florida LLC names
The following words require special approval from a state agency before you can use them in your Florida LLC name:
- Bank / Banking / Banker — requires approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation
- Insurance / Insurer / Reinsurance — requires approval from the Florida Department of Financial Services
- University / College — requires approval from the Florida Department of Education or accreditation body
- Engineer / Engineering — requires approval from the Florida Board of Professional Engineers
- Architect / Architecture — requires approval from the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design
- Trust / Trustee — requires approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation or relevant authority
- Lottery — cannot imply association with the Florida Lottery without authorization
- Olympic / Olympiad / Paralympic — federally protected terms requiring U.S. Olympic Committee authorization
How to reserve an LLC name in Florida
Florida allows you to reserve an LLC name before filing by submitting a Name Reservation application through the Sunbiz portal or by mailing Form CR2E093. The filing fee is $25. A reservation holds the name exclusively for 120 days. You cannot renew or extend a name reservation in Florida — if you need more time, you must wait for the reservation to expire and then file a new reservation request, subject to availability at that time.
Tips for choosing an LLC name that passes in Florida
- Search both the exact name and common variations — swap ampersands for 'and', try singular and plural forms, and test abbreviations, since the Division of Corporations compares names broadly for distinguishability.
- Run a parallel search on the USPTO Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) at tess.uspto.gov to confirm the name is not federally trademarked, which could expose your LLC to infringement claims even if Sunbiz approves it.
- Check domain name availability at the same time — securing a matching .com domain early prevents a competitor from claiming the web address associated with your Florida LLC name.
- Avoid names that are geographically descriptive of a single city or county if you plan to expand statewide or nationally, as such names can limit your branding and may still conflict with similarly named local entities.
- Keep the distinctive portion of your name near the front — the Sunbiz search algorithm weights the beginning of a name heavily, so a unique first word reduces the chance of conflicts appearing in results.
- Consider searching the Florida fictitious name (DBA) registry as well at https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/FictitiousNameSearch/ByName — a registered fictitious name is not the same as an LLC, but a similar name could still create confusion in your market.
Florida LLC name search: frequently asked questions
How do I do a Florida LLC name search?
You can search for available Florida LLC names using the free entity search tool on the Sunbiz website at https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName. Enter the name you want to use and filter by 'Florida Limited Liability' to see existing LLCs. Review all results carefully, including names that are phonetically similar or differ only in punctuation. Running multiple search variations gives you the most accurate picture of availability.
How do I check LLC name availability in Florida?
To check LLC name availability in Florida, search the Division of Corporations' Sunbiz database using the entity name search tool. A name that returns no results is likely available, but the Division of Corporations makes the final determination at the time of filing. You should also check for similar-sounding names, not just exact matches, since Florida requires names to be 'distinguishable' from all existing entities. Reserving the name for $25 locks it in for 120 days while you prepare your paperwork.
What are the naming rules for a Florida LLC?
Florida LLC names must include a required designator such as 'LLC', 'L.L.C.', 'Limited Liability Company', 'LC', or 'L.C.' under Florida Statute 605.0112. The name must be distinguishable from all other active entities on file with the Division of Corporations — minor differences in punctuation or articles do not make a name distinguishable. Certain words like 'Bank', 'Insurance', 'University', and 'Engineer' require prior approval from Florida regulatory agencies. Names that are deceptive, imply government affiliation, or contain obscene language are also prohibited.
How do I reserve an LLC name in Florida?
To reserve an LLC name in Florida, file a Name Reservation application with the Division of Corporations through the Sunbiz portal or by mailing Form CR2E093 with a $25 fee. Once approved, the reservation holds your chosen name exclusively for 120 days. Florida does not allow extensions or renewals of name reservations, so you must file your Articles of Organization within that window. If the reservation expires before you file, you will need to submit a new reservation and pay the fee again.
What if my LLC name is already taken in Florida?
If your desired LLC name is already taken in Florida, you have a few options. You can modify the name by adding a unique word, changing the order of words, or choosing an entirely different name, then re-run the Sunbiz search to confirm availability. You may also contact the existing entity's owner to negotiate a name consent agreement, which the Division of Corporations may accept in limited circumstances. If the existing entity is inactive or dissolved, you can still be denied if the Division considers the names too similar, so choosing a clearly distinct alternative is the safest path.
Does a Florida LLC name need to include 'LLC'?
Yes, a Florida LLC name must include a proper designator to identify it as a limited liability company. Accepted designators under Florida Statute 605.0112 are 'Limited Liability Company', 'LLC', 'L.L.C.', 'LC', and 'L.C.' — any of these suffixes satisfies the requirement. The designator must appear as part of the official name on your Articles of Organization filed with the Division of Corporations. You may use a fictitious name (DBA) that omits the designator for marketing purposes, but the registered legal name must include it.