South Dakota LLC Name Search

South Dakota LLC name lookup

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

You can browse existing business names in South Dakota using the link below.

South Dakota Secretary of State Business Name and LLC Search:

Business Information Search

Tip: Select “Contains” as your search option when going through the South Dakota name database. This option will display more business names that may be similar to your desired LLC name in the search results.

Statute: South Dakota LLC name rules and restrictions are governed by Section 47-34A-105 of the South Dakota Uniform LLC Act.

How to Search an LLC Name in South Dakota

1. It’s best to search only part of your LLC name to ensure you see everything that is potentially similar. For example, if your desired South Dakota LLC name is “Organic Produce Market LLC”, it’s best to just search “Organic Produce”.
   • Why: This way, if there is a “Organic Produce Markets” or “Organic Produce Marketing”, you’ll see both of them; which is important, since they will be confusingly similar to your name and the state may reject your LLC filing.
2. Leave out the designator “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, etc., during your search.
3. Leave out any punctuation like commas, periods, apostrophes, quotes, hyphens, etc.
4. The South Dakota name database ignores capitalization so you can search using uppercase letters, lowercase, or any combination.
5. Use “Contains” (instead of “Starts With”) to broaden your search criteria so you can see all the names that are potentially similar to yours.

How to Determine the Search Results:

• If the results show names that are not too similar to yours, then your desired South Dakota LLC name is available for use.
• If a “No Records Found” message appears, this means your desired South Dakota LLC name is unique and available for use.
• If your desired LLC name already appears in the list exactly as you want it, your desired South Dakota LLC name is not available for use. You’ll need to come up with a new name or unique variation that makes your LLC name distinguishable.
• If the results show a name that is deceptively similar to yours, your desired South Dakota LLC name will likely be rejected. We recommend coming up with a new name or unique variation that makes your LLC distinguishable.

Statuses in the Secretary of State’s Database

You’ll see different statuses when going through the businesses in the Secretary of State’s database.

If you see the following statutes to the right of a name that you would like, this name will not be available for use:

• Active
• Good Standing
• Delinquent

If you see the following statutes to the right of a name that you would like, this name will be available for use:

• Dissolved
• Cancelled
• Terminated
• Withdrawn
• Revoked (Administrative)

However, there is a chance the prior owners of those names can make a claim against your business. Additionally, courts, collection agencies, or similar places may mistake your new company for someone’s old company. In order to avoid any future headaches, lawsuits, or claims, we recommend choosing a South Dakota LLC name that is truly unique instead of using someone’s old name.

South Dakota LLC Name Requirements & Restrictions

Before finalizing your LLC name, it’s important to understand the requirements and restrictions in South Dakota.

Here is a brief overview (scroll down for details on each bullet point):

• LLC designators: You must use a proper designator at the end of your LLC name
• Restricted designators: You cannot make it sound like your LLC is a Corporation
• Comma: You can use a comma in your LLC name before the designator, or you can leave it out
• Restricted and prohibited words: The use of certain words in your LLC name requires special approval

LLC Designators

Your South Dakota LLC must contain one of the following designators at the end of its name:

• LC
• L.C.
• LLC (most popular)
• L.L.C.
• Ltd. Liability Co.
• Ltd. Liability Company
• Limited Liability Co.
• Limited Liability Company

Example: If your desired name is “Gem’s Haberdashery Services”, it must be officially filed as “Gem’s Haberdashery Services LLC”, “Gem’s Haberdashery Services L.L.C.”, etc.

Tip: If you’re not sure which designator to use, “LLC” is the most common.

Restricted Designators

Your South Dakota LLC cannot imply that it is a Corporation, Limited Partnership, or any other type of business entity besides an LLC.

You cannot use the following Designators anywhere in your LLC name:

• Corporation
• Corp.
• Inc.
• Incorporated
• Cooperative
• Limited Partnership
• LP
• L.P.
• Ltd. (without “Liability Company” following it)
• Limited Liability Partnership
• LLP
• L.L.P.

Comma in LLC Name

You can file your LLC name with or without a comma before the designator. Both are acceptable in South Dakota.

For example, you can file as either “John’s Party Store, LLC” or “John’s Party Store LLC”. It’s up to your personal preference.

Restricted and Prohibited Words

Restricted words require approval from certain institutions, like departments of banking, insurance, education, and professional organizations. Prohibited words are those that are simply not allowed.

Restricted words: Bank, Banking, Banker, Credit Union, Trust, Insurance, Mortgage, College, University, Redevelopment, and Olympic.

Unless members are forming a Professional LLC (PLLC) and are licensed by the state, you cannot use the words Attorney, Lawyer, Engineer, Engineering, Doctors, Dentists, Architect, Land Surveyor, Appraiser, etc.

Prohibited words: Federal, Government, FBI, United States of America, United States, City, Borough, Township, and County. You cannot use curse words or vulgar words. You cannot use words that imply illegal activity, or words that suggest the company is a part of local, state, or federal government, or falsely leads the public to believe the company is associated with certain public institutions.

Reminders & Tips

Do not apply for your Federal Tax ID Number (EIN) until your South Dakota LLC is approved.

Also, do not order business cards, letterhead, signs, marketing materials, etc., until the South Dakota Secretary of State approves your LLC.

Next Step

Once you find a South Dakota 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: South Dakota LLC Registered Agent.

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

South Dakota Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the South Dakota Secretary of State at ​​605-773-4845 (Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm Central Time).

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.