Arkansas LLC Name Search

The first step to forming an LLC in Arkansas is to search your desired LLC name and make sure it’s available for use.

Arkansas LLC Name Requirements

Before searching your LLC name in Arkansas, there are a few requirements you need to know:

1. The abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.” must be used at the end of your name. The abbreviation “LLC” is the most common.

2. Because an LLC is not a Corporation, your desired name cannot use the word “Corporation”, “Incorporated,” or their abbreviations (“Corp.”, “Inc.”).

3. Your desired LLC name must be distinguishable. This means it must be different and unique from all other businesses registered in Arkansas.

Differences in designators (the identifiers at the end of a business name) and differences in grammar do not create distinguishability.

For example:

• LLC, L.L.C, Inc., Corp.
• singular, plural, and possessive
• A, An, The
• and, or, &
• hyphens, slashes, periods, commas
• three vs. 3

The following examples are NOT distinguishable:

• Smith Investments, LLC vs. Smith Investments, Inc.
• Apple Farm, LLC vs. Apple Farms, LLC
• Print Shop, LLC vs. The Print Shop, LLC
• Night & Day, LLC vs. Night and Day, LLC
• Peter Paul & Mary Studios, LLC vs. Peter-Paul-Mary Studios, Inc
• Three Teachers Consulting, LLC vs. 3 Teachers Consulting, LLC

Searching the Arkansas Name Database

1. Go to the Business Entity Search page.

2. In the “Corporation Type” drop down list, leave “All Types” selected.

3. Enter your desired LLC name in the “Name” box. Leave out the ending “LLC” and any punctuation. Capitalization doesn’t matter.

4. Leave the “Fictitious Name”, “Registered Agent”, “RA City”, and “Filing #” blank. You can also ignore the “RA State” drop down list.

5. Click the “Search” button and browse the list of existing Arkansas businesses:

• If “There were no records found“ appears in the search results, that means your desired LLC name is available for use.
• If the results show names that are not too similar to yours (meaning yours is distinguishable), then your desired LLC name is available for use.
• If your desired LLC name appears in the list exactly as you want it, your desired LLC name is not available for use. You’ll need to think of a new name or use some creativity and come up with a unique variation.
• If the results show a name that is deceptively similar to your desired LLC name, your desired LLC name is not available for use. You’ll need to think of a new name or use some creativity and come up with a unique variation.

Pro tip: Arkansas lets you check your LLC name availability by phone. Just call 501-682-3409 and a representative will help you.

Next Step

Once you find an LLC name that is unique and distinguishable, you’re ready to select your LLC’s Registered Agent. We’ll discuss this in the next lesson: Arkansas Registered Agent.

And check out TRUIC’s business name generator if you need help coming up with an LLC name.

Arkansas Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the Arkansas Secretary of State:

501-682-3409 (phone)
888-233-0325 (toll-free phone)
corprequest@sos.arkansas.gov

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.