Arizona Business Name Search For LLCs (Updated: Mar. 2026)

Before you can form an LLC in Arizona, you need to confirm that your business name is available and meets state naming rules, which is why running a proper Arizona business name search is an essential first step.

You can use the Arizona Business Entity Name Database to do this. You’ll need to use both available search methods to ensure your LLC name is distinguishable.

Your LLC application may be rejected if you don’t check your name availability in Arizona before filing, as your name cannot be the same or too similar to others. Below, I’ve detailed the correct steps to follow, how to interpret the search results, and the main name requirements.

Using The Arizona Secretary Of State Business Name Search Database

There are two methods to conduct your business name search in Arizona when using the Arizona Business Entity Search tool. Use both to ensure your LLC name is unique.

1. The “Name Availability Check” was quicker to use.
2. The “Business Entity Search” function performed a full check, ensuring that desired names are definitely distinguishable.

1. How To Use The Search Methods Tool

The “Name Availability Check” tool performs a partial business search, while the “Business Entity Search” tool confirms your results, including DBAs.

a. Method 1: Name Availability Check

Use the “Name Availability Check” tool to see if your desired name could be suitable. These are the steps to take:

1. Visit the Arizona Secretary of State: Business Filings Search.
2. Enter your desired LLC name into the “Entity Search” box.
3. Click the center button “Name Availability Check.”

Once you’ve clicked search, you’ll see a pop-up with one of these messages:

• “The name is not available” means you need a different LLC name.
• “The name is available” means it’s likely okay to use.
• “No search results found” means it’s okay to use.

b. Method 2: Business Entity Search

You can use the full “Business Entity Search Tool” to confirm that your Arizona LLC name is unique. It also shows you which names caused a “Not available” result.

1. Navigate back to the “Business Entity Search Page.”
2. Enter your desired LLC name into the “Entity Search” box.
3. Click “Search” instead of “Name Availability Check.” You’ll be able to run a full search looking at similar or matching names, including Trade Names (DBAs).

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Bizreport Studios LLC.” Search for “Bizreport Studio” first, then search for “Bizreport” to find potentially similar names.

2. How To Interpret Your Arizona Business Name Search Results

These are the four main potential results and what they mean:

a. Your LLC Name Is Unique

Your Arizona LLC name is unique and distinguishable if no similar business names were found.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “GREEN TEA AUTO.”

Your search results show “GREEN TEA AUTO BISTRO” and “GREEN TEA SALON” as the only similar names. Therefore, your LLC name should be available.

b. No Search Results Were Found

If no results appear, your LLC name is likely available. But you should still search again using part of your LLC name to check for similar matches.

Example: Try searching for “GREEN TEA” instead of “GREEN TEA AUTO.”

c. The Exact LLC Name Is Shown

An Arizona business is already using your desired LLC name if the search results show the exact one existing. In this case, it’s unavailable, and you’ll need to pick a different one.

Example: Your desired name is “GREEN TEA.”

d. Very Similar Names Are Shown

Your desired LLC name is likely unavailable if your search results show a very similar business name.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Bizreport.”

If the search shows “BizReports, LLC,” your desired name is unavailable, and you’ll need to pick a different one, as there is a high possibility that your name won’t get approved.

e. What Should I Do If My LLC Name Isn’t Available?

You must choose a unique variation or a different LLC name if your desired LLC name is not available.

3. How To Contact The Arizona Secretary Of State

The Arizona Secretary of State can help you use the Business Name Search tool, but they cannot guarantee name availability when filing.

Contact them at 907-465-2550. Business hours are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday to Friday.

Name Requirements For An Arizona LLC

These are the four main rules you must follow when choosing your Arizona LLC name to ensure your Articles of Organization won’t be rejected:

1. Your LLC Name Can Be Filed With/Without Commas

Example: Your desired LLC name is “House Jimmy’s.” You can file it as:

• House Jimmy’s LLC.
• House Jimmy’s, LLC.

The state of Arizona allows other designators if you want to use something other than “LLC.”

2. You Must Use 1 Of 8 Designators (Endings)

You must use one of the following designators at the end of your Arizona LLC name:

• LC.
• L.C.
• LLC.
• L.L.C.
• Limited Liability Company.
• Limited Company.
• Ltd. Liability Company.
• Limited Liability Co.

Most companies choose “LLC” as their designator.

3. Do Not Use Inappropriate Designators

Your Arizona LLC cannot sound like an Arizona Corporation or a different business entity other than an LLC.

The following designators and words cannot be used in your LLC name:

• Cooperative.
• Corporation.
• Corp.
• Inc.
• Incorporated.

4. Do Not Use Restricted Words

You cannot use words or abbreviations that suggest your business is a government entity, bank, or anything else misleading. Furthermore, you cannot use words reserved for licensed professionals, such as attorneys and accountants.

Read the Arizona LLC Act Section 29-3112(E) for more information.

What Won’t Make Your Arizona Business Name Distinguishable

You’ll need to come up with a unique variation or a different business name if your desired name is indistinguishable. The following ‘fixes’ won’t make your name distinguishable:

1. Designators

Adding different designators (Endings) to your name does not create distinguishability.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Bizreport LLC.”

It is unavailable if these similar names appear in your Arizona business name search results:

• Bizreport, L.L.C.
• Bizreport, Inc.
• Bizreport, Corp.

2. Numerals Or Spelled-Out Numbers

You can’t use numerals (10 or 1000) instead of spelled-out numbers to make your LLC name distinguishable.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “12 Oceans LLC.”

It is not available if you use the following names:

• Twelve Oceans LLC.
• Twelve 12 Oceans Inc.

3. Capitalization

Your LLC name isn’t distinguishable by using different capitalization (Lowercase or uppercase letters). This rule applies to all parts of your business name, including the designator.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Green Garden LLC.”

It’s still not available in the following examples:

• GREEN GARDEN INC.
• Green gardeN, Inc.
• green garden llc.
• Green GARDEN Limited Liability COMPANY.

4. Filler Words

Placing filler words in parts of your LLC name does not make it distinguishable.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Green Tea LLC.”

You cannot use it when applying the following filler words:

• A Green Tea Inc.
• The Green Tea LLC.
• Green and Tea L.L.C.

5. Singular Words, Plural Words, And Possessive Words

If you add the letter “s” to a word to make it plural or possessive, it won’t make your LLC name distinguishable.

Example: Your desired LLC name is “Maple Grove Bakery LLC.”

It’s not available to use in the following examples:

• Maple Groves Bakery LLC.
• Maple Grove Bake Inc.
• Maples Grove Bakery L.L.C.

6. What If My Arizona Business Name Is Rejected?

If your Arizona Articles of Organization is rejected because your name is unavailable, the state will explain why.

Use a different LLC name or a suitable variation when re-filing your application.

Frequently Asked Questions