If you are forming an LLC or a corporation in Georgia, you should first do a business name search. Like all other states, Georgia requires each LLC or corporation registered to have a unique business name. You can do a Georgia business name search on the Georgia Secretary of State website to see if the business name you want to use is available.
Related: Checklist To Start A Business In Georgia
Steps To Do A Georgia Business Name Search
Step 1: Visit the Georgia Entity Name Database
Visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.
Step 2: Search for a Business Name
Enter the name you want to use in the “Entity Name” field. In this example, we will search for a Georgia LLC name by looking up “Sew What.” After entering the company name, click on “Search.” We recommend keeping the button selected for “Contains” as it’s a broader search. If there are too many results, you may choose “Exact Match.”
Step 3: Review the Results
Searching the registered names, we get a list of all the businesses with the words “Sew What” in the name. We want to find a name similar to the name we are looking to register. The closest one is just before the last record, “Sew What?! LLC”. While your business may not have the “?!,” those characters won’t be considered distinguishable, making this a name you can’t register. To find more information about each registered business name, click on the link in the “Entity Name” column. In this example, we will look up “Sew What LLC.”
Clicking on the “Sew What LLC” link brings an expanded result.
There is also a button to get details on the entity filing history, which includes the business formation and annual registration.
While the name “Sew What” by itself is likely not available, other variants, such as “Sew What Quilting” or “Sew What Seamstress,” are. Searching for those business names brings a result that says, “No data found.” While final approval is still with the Georgia Corporations Division of the Secretary of State, it is likely available to register.
Something to remember is that even though each corporation and LLC name must be unique, it may not stop someone else from using that name since business names for a sole proprietorship or partnership are not registered by the Georgia Secretary of State and are not required to be unique. To protect your business name, consider getting a trademark.
Related: Should I trademark my business name?
Georgia Business Name Search FAQs
How do I find the business name of a Georgia sole proprietorship?
A Georgia sole proprietorship or general partnership can use the small business owner(s) full first and last name as the business name, but many will want to operate under a specific business name. Unlike corporations and LLCs in Georgia, the names of sole proprietorships and partnerships are not listed on the state database. Instead, they are registered with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where you do business.
To register the business name, they will submit a Georgia Trade Name registration, which is also known as “Doing Business As,” DBA, or Fictitious Business Name with the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Can an LLC name be reserved in Georgia?
If you want to use a name but are not ready to form the LLC, you can reserve for up to 30 days by submitting a Name Reservation Request form to the Georgia Secretary of State.
