Before you form an LLC, register a trade name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Georgia Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Georgia Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Georgia.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).
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Georgia LLC Name Search
The Georgia Secretary of State requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state.
It's also important to search for a matching domain name (URL).
How to Search Available LLC Names
You can check your business name availability by searching the Georgia Business Search online database.
Recommended: If you don’t have a business name yet or find that yours is taken, use our LLC Name Generator.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name you'll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
How to Register Your Business Name
Register Your Name
An LLC name is officially registered when you file your LLC application documents and form an LLC.
Ready to register your LLC name? Use our Georgia LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA in Georgia (also known as a trade name) is a separate process that requires filing with the county where your business is located.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Georgia for up to 30 days before you officially register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed online or by mail with the Georgia Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25 online or $35 by mail.
Georgia Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Georgia LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase "Limited Liability Company," "Limited Company," or the abbreviation "L.L.C.", "LLC", "L.C." or "LC.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Georgia reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Georgia also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name cannot contain language implying that the LLC is organized for an unlawful purpose or one not stated in its Articles of Organization; it also cannot include anything the Secretary of State determines is obscene.
- Your name cannot exceed 80 characters.
- Your name cannot use the words “insurance,” “assurance,” “surety,” “fidelity,” “reinsurance,” “reassurance,” or “indemnity” without approval from the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
- Your name cannot use the words “bank,” “banc,” “banque,” “banker,” “banking company,” “banking house,” “bancorp,” “bankruptcy,” “credit union,” “savings & loan,” “trust,” or “trust company” without approval from the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.
- Your name cannot use the words “college” or “university” without approval from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.
For more information, check out Georgia’s name availability standards.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Georgia, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Georgia:
- Articles at the beginning of a name (e.g., the, a, an, etc.)
- Business suffixes (e.g., LLC, Inc., etc.)
- The word “and” and “&”
- Punctuation
- Plural forms of words
- Abbreviations
- Phonetic differences in spelling
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in your formation filing being rejected.
Is your name already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will generate thousands of new ideas.
Georgia LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Georgia?
You can use the Georgia Business Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in a Georgia LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Georgia LLC names cannot contain language implying that the corporation is organized for an unlawful purpose or one not stated in its Articles of Organization, nor can it include anything the Secretary of State determines is obscene.
You also need permission to include any of the following words: insurance, assurance, surety, fidelity, reinsurance, reassurance, indemnity, bank, banc, banque, banker, banking company, banking house, bancorp, bankruptcy, credit union, savings & loan, trust, trust company, college, or university.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Georgia Naming Requirements section.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name an LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Georgia requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Georgia Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Georgia?
Georgia doesn't require LLCs to renew their name.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Georgia?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or a trade name in Georgia.
In Georgia, LLC trade names are filed with the applicable county office.
Learn more about trade names with our Georgia DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Georgia DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Georgia from the dropdown menu.
