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Once you’ve chosen a Nebraska LLC name, you need to compare it against existing businesses in the state.
This is done using the Nebraska Corporate & Business Entity Search tool.
And this is necessary because business names in the same state:
- can’t be the same
- can’t be too similar
If you file your LLC paperwork with a name that’s not available, your LLC filing will be rejected.
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How do I search the Nebraska business entity name database?
Note: This tool is sometimes called the Nebraska Business Name Search or the Nebraska Business Entity Search. They both refer to the same website and get you the same search records.
Visit the Nebraska Corporate & Business Search page:
Nebraska Secretary of State: Corporate & Business Search
First, select “Name Keyword Search“, and then “Match All Words“.
Then enter your desired LLC name in the Name field. Complete the verification and click Search.
Search tips:
- Leave out “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “Limited Liability Company”, etc., when doing your searches.
- Leave out any commas, periods, apostrophes, etc.
- You can search using uppercase or lowercase letters.
Tip: It’s best to enter only the main part of your desired Nebraska LLC name in the search bar. For example, if your desired LLC name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, first do a search for the words “Riverwalk Studio”. And then do a search for “Riverwalk”. This helps make sure that you see everything that is potentially similar.
How to interpret the Nebraska LLC search results
If the results show names that are not too similar to yours (meaning yours is distinguishable), then your Limited Liability Company name is available for use.
- Let’s keep using the example above. If your desired name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, and the only similar names you saw were “Riverwalk Properties” and “Riverwalk Studio Starters”, then your name should be available.
If no results show up, that means your LLC name is unique and it should be available for use. To be safe, run your search again using only part of your LLC name (to double-check that there are no similar names).
- For example, search just the word “Riverwalk” instead of Riverwalk Studios.
If your exact LLC name appears in the list of search records, your LLC name is not available for use because another Nebraska business entity is already using it.
If the results show a name that is very similar to yours, your LLC name may not be available for use.
- If your desired name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, and the search results show a “Riverwalk Studio”, then your name is not available.
What if my desired LLC name isn’t available?
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a different name for your LLC.
Tip: Wait until your LLC is approved before you apply for your LLC EIN Number or purchase any other marketing materials. This way you don’t spend money on business supplies you can’t use because your business name isn’t available.
When in doubt, call the Secretary of State
You can call the Nebraska Secretary of State to confirm that your LLC name is available.
Not all states offer this service, but the representatives in Nebraska will help you use the Nebraska Business Name Search and Name Availability Search to figure out whether your business name is available.
The Corporations Division phone number is 402-471-4079. Their hours are Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm Central Time.
Written Inquiry
You can also submit a written inquiry to the Secretary of State. They will verify whether your business name is available – but this isn’t a guarantee. To submit a written inquiry, send an email to sos.corp@nebraska.gov.
Nebraska Limited Liability Company Name Requirements
As per Section 21-108 of the Nebraska LLC Act, there are a few rules and requirements for naming a Nebraska business entity that you need to know.
Do I have to use a comma in my LLC name?
No, you don’t have to. You can file your LLC name with or without a comma. Both versions are accepted by the Secretary of State.
For example: If your desired business name is Goldenrod Games, you can file it as:
- Goldenrod Games LLC
- Goldenrod Games, LLC
Or, instead of having “LLC” as your designator (ending), there are a few other options in Nebraska.
What designators (endings) can I use in my LLC name?
Your Nebraska LLC name must contain one of the following designators at the end:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Company
- LC
- L.C.
- Limited Company
- Limited Co.
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Ltd. Liability Company
Note: Most people choose “LLC”.
The following designators are not allowed
Your Nebraska LLC can’t make itself sound like a Nebraska Corporation or any other business entity besides an LLC.
The following words and designators can’t be used anywhere in your LLC name:
- Inc.
- Corp.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
What words are not allowed in my Nebraska LLC name?
Your Nebraska LLC name can’t contain words and abbreviations that are restricted by law.
For example, you can’t make your LLC name sound like it’s a bank, part of the government or a government agency, or anything else that misleads the public.
You also can’t use words that are reserved for licensed professionals. These vary by state, but some common examples are accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists, and engineers.
Your Nebraska business name must be distinguishable (unique)
When you use the Nebraska Secretary of State Corporate & Business Search, you will compare your desired LLC name to existing businesses in the state.
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a different business name.
Below are rules and examples of LLC names that are not distinguishable.
General Rules Only – Call to Check!
The Nebraska Secretary of State doesn’t publish their rules for what does or doesn’t make a business name distinguishable. The rules below are general guidelines that will help you make sure your name is unique.
After you read this lesson and use the Corporate & Business Search, you may want to call the Business Services Division. They can check whether your name is available before you file your LLC paperwork.
Designators
Differences in designators (endings) don’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Blue Agate Jewelry LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found in the Nebraska Business Name Search results:
- Blue Agate Jewelry, Inc.
- Blue Agate Jewelry, Corp.
- Blue Agate Jewelry, L.L.C.
Filler Words
Adding non-meaningful or filler words (the, a, an, and, &, of, or) won’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Cottonwood Farms LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- The Cottonwood Farms LLC
- A Cottonwood Farm Inc.
- Cottonwood and Farms L.L.C.
- Of Cottonwood Farms Corp
Plural or Singular Words and Possessive Words
Adding a letter “s” to make a word plural or possessive doesn’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Wilma’s Deer LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Wilmas Deers LLC
- Wilma Deer Inc.
- Wilmas Deer, L.L.C.
What if my Nebraska business name is rejected?
If you file your Nebraska Certificate of Organization (the document that creates your Nebraska LLC) and the business name is not available, don’t panic. The state will notify you and tell you why your filing was rejected.
You will just need to file again with a variation of your LLC name or a different LLC name.
Nebraska Business Name FAQs
No, a name reservation isn’t required to form an LLC in Nebraska. It’s an unnecessary step and a waste of money.
You can just file your LLC’s Certificate of Organization with your desired LLC name.
Yes. Your Nebraska LLC name must contain one of the allowable designators at the end. The most commonly used designators are:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
No, you’re not required to file a DBA (“Doing Business As”) for your business entity in Nebraska.
A DBA (known as a Trade Name in Nebraska) lets your LLC conduct business under a name which is different from its true and legal name (the name on your Certificate of Organization).
If you want your LLC to do business under a name that’s different from its true and legal name, you have to file an Application for Registration of Trade Name and pay an additional fee of $100 to the Secretary of State. And you’ll need to publish a notice about the new Trade Name, too.
If you are going to file a Trade Name for your Nebraska LLC, it must also be distinguishable from existing business names in the state.
There is no limit to the number of Trade Names an LLC can have.
For more information, please see Does my LLC need a DBA?
When would my LLC use a DBA?
Let’s say you form an LLC called Platte River Cruise Lines LLC, but you also want to use a friendlier, catchy name, like Platte Cruises. In this case, your LLC would need to file a Trade Name Registration to use the name Platte Cruises.
If you don’t file an Application for Registration of Trade Name for a different name, you can only use your legal entity name of Platte River Cruise Lines LLC.
Once you’ve found a business name that you like, it’s a good idea to check if your domain name is available before forming your LLC.
You can search for available domain names with GoDaddy:
Find a domain name
Each business entity name must be “distinguishable upon the records” of the Secretary of State.
This means that no two businesses can operate with the same exact name. Said another way, if a business already exists with your desired LLC name, you can’t register your LLC with that name.
For example, let’s say you want to form an LLC called Meadowlark Landscapers LLC. But there is already a business in another town called Meadowlark Landscapers, Inc. Because your desired LLC name is the same as that existing Nebraska Corporation, it is not distinguishable. You can’t use it and must choose another name.
Business names are important for branding and recognition. The name of your Nebraska LLC can be your company’s brand name, but it doesn’t have to be (please see the FAQ about DBAs above). Either way, picking a good LLC name is an important decision.
Here are some quick tips for coming up with business names:
- First, write down the features of your company and things that you want to be associated with.
- Then list out as many business names as you can think of. Don’t edit or analyze them. Just get as many names on the page as you can.
- Now go back and read through them. Write down any variations that come to mind.
- Next, set the list aside. Do something else, like go for a walk or get groceries, or sleep on it for the night. Then come back and review the list of names. As you go through it, write down additional ideas and variations.
- Read the whole list out loud. If you want, get input from friends, business partners, and family.
- Repeat the process: sleep on the ideas, write down new variations, read them out loud again.
- The best business name will often “rise off the page” and present itself. If it doesn’t, you can try this trick: Close your eyes and count to 10. When you get to 10, you must choose a name. When you open your eyes, force yourself to make a decision. Sometimes we know the best name deep in our subconscious, and this trick can help it come out. Trust yourself and go with what feels best.
For more tips, please see How to Choose an LLC Name.
No. You can’t use the same name as another Nebraska business.
And it doesn’t matter what entity type it is – your LLC can’t have the same entity name as another corporation, LLC, or any other entity type.
You can’t use another business’s name even if the entity is in “delinquent” status on the Nebraska Secretary of State website.
But if a business is dissolved, they no longer have rights to that name. This means you can form an LLC with the same name.
You can change your LLC’s name later by filing an Amendment form with the Secretary of State.
We have step-by-step instructions on how to change an LLC name in Nebraska.
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Nebraska:
- Choose an LLC name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Nebraska Registered Agent
- File the Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Nebraska
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.
I tried to apply for a EIN number And it said one cannot be given to me at this time. What does that mean and why would I not be able to get one?
Hi Jeremy, it depends on the error code you received. This page should help: EIN reference numbers.