Louisiana LLC Name Search

How to search for LLC names in Louisiana

Searching for an available LLC name in Louisiana is a required step before you submit your Articles of Organization to the Louisiana Secretary of State. The state's commercial entity database lets you look up existing business names to determine whether your proposed name is distinguishable from those already on record. The search results show active LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and other registered entities. Finding no exact match does not guarantee your name will be approved — the Secretary of State applies a "distinguishable on the record" standard, meaning names that are confusingly similar to existing ones may still be rejected. Running a thorough search before filing saves you time, avoids rejection fees, and helps you secure a name that is both legally compliant and unique in the Louisiana marketplace.

Step-by-step: using the Louisiana Secretary of State name search

1. 1. Navigate to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Commercial Search portal at https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/commercialSearch/CommercialSearch.aspx.
2. 2. In the 'Name' field, type your proposed LLC name — you may search by the full name or a partial keyword. Leave the entity type filter set to 'All' to see conflicts across all business types, or select 'Limited Liability Company' to narrow results.
3. 3. Click the 'Search' button and review the results list. Pay attention to names that are spelled differently but sound identical or nearly identical to yours, since the state evaluates distinguishability broadly.
4. 4. Click on any matching entity name in the results to view its full record, including status (active, dissolved, or cancelled). An inactive or dissolved entity may still block your name depending on how recently it was dissolved.
5. 5. If no confusingly similar names appear in the results, document your search with a screenshot showing the date and results, then proceed to file your Articles of Organization or submit a Name Reservation Application if you are not ready to file immediately.

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Louisiana LLC naming rules

• The LLC name must contain the words 'Limited Liability Company,' the abbreviation 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' — this designator is mandatory and must appear as part of the official name.
• The name must be distinguishable from every other business entity already on record with the Louisiana Secretary of State, regardless of entity type — an LLC name cannot be the same as or deceptively similar to an existing corporation, partnership, or other LLC.
• The name cannot imply the business is affiliated with or sponsored by any federal, state, or local government agency — terms such as 'Federal,' 'United States,' 'State,' or 'Louisiana Department' are prohibited without specific authorization.
• Words suggesting a licensed profession — such as 'Bank,' 'Banking,' 'Trust,' 'Insurance,' 'Engineer,' or 'Architect' — require prior approval from the relevant Louisiana regulatory board or licensing authority before the Secretary of State will accept the filing.
• The name may not include obscene, profane, or scandalous language under Louisiana law, and it cannot be misleading to the public about the nature or purpose of the business.
• Louisiana does not allow an LLC name to be so similar to an existing name that it differs only by punctuation, spaces, articles (a, an, the), or common abbreviations — these minor variations are not considered distinguishable.
• If a name includes a geographic reference to a Louisiana city or region (e.g., 'New Orleans,' 'Baton Rouge'), it must not imply official municipal status or government endorsement.
• An LLC that wishes to operate under a name different from its registered name must file a trade name (DBA) registration separately with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Restricted words in Louisiana LLC names

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

• Bank / Banking / Banker — requires approval from the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions
• Insurance / Insurer / Assurance — requires approval from the Louisiana Department of Insurance
• Trust / Trust Company — requires approval from the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions
• University / College / Academy — requires evidence of accreditation or approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents
• Attorney / Law / Legal Services — may require verification of licensure with the Louisiana State Bar Association
• Engineer / Engineering — may require approval from the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board
• Architect / Architecture — may require approval from the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners
• Lottery / Gambling / Casino — requires specific state gaming authority authorization and is heavily regulated in Louisiana

How to reserve an LLC name in Louisiana

Louisiana allows you to reserve an LLC name before filing by submitting a Name Reservation Application to the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25, and the reservation holds your name for 60 days from the date of approval. Reservations are not automatically renewable, so you must complete your LLC filing within that window. The application can be filed online through the Secretary of State's geauxBIZ portal or submitted by mail to the Commercial Division in Baton Rouge.

Tips for choosing an LLC name that passes in Louisiana

• Search both the exact name and individual keywords separately — a name like 'Pelican Property Group LLC' could conflict with 'Pelican Properties LLC' or 'Pelican Group LLC' already on file.
• After clearing the state database, search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) TESS database to confirm no federal trademark conflicts exist for your business name or logo.
• Check domain name availability simultaneously using a registrar such as Namecheap or GoDaddy — securing a matching .com domain the same day you confirm name availability prevents someone else from claiming it.
• Avoid names that rely solely on a Louisiana city or neighborhood as the primary identifier, since geographic descriptors offer weak brand distinction and may create confusion with municipal entities or other local businesses.
• Think about future growth before committing — a name tied narrowly to one product, service, or location (e.g., 'New Orleans Catering LLC') can become limiting if your business expands to other regions or industries.
• Run a Google search and social media handle check for your proposed name — even if the name is legally available in Louisiana, an existing online presence by another business under the same name can cause customer confusion and marketing challenges.