Delaware Business Name Search (LLC Lookup) – Apr. 2026 Guide

The state of Delaware uses the “Delaware Business Entity Name Database.” Within this, you have two name search tools that you can use to check the availability of your desired LLC name. While both are great options, “The General Information Name Search tool” is quicker to use.

You must check your Delaware business name availability before filing your LLC application. Otherwise, your application may be rejected. Your business name can’t be the same and can’t be too similar to existing Delaware businesses.

Our Delaware LLC name search guide examines both methods in detail, giving you the main steps to use them correctly. I’ve looked at how to interpret the different results, the main name requirements, and how to ensure your Delaware LLC business name is unique.

How To Search The Delaware Business Entity Name Database

You have two tools to check the availability and distinguishability of your LLC name, both provided by the Delaware Secretary of State.

1. The name availability search tool gives you a simple yes or no answer regarding the availability of your LLC name. This tool can be used to check your Delaware LLC name without creating a reservation, since Delaware doesn’t require reservations.
2. The general information name search tool can be used to browse existing Delaware businesses. You can check if your LLC is unique by examining the comparable business names.

Follow these search tips:

• Don’t use commas, periods, or apostrophes.
• Avoid using “LLC”, “L.L.C”, and “Limited Liability Company”.
• Search using upper case and/or lowercase letters.

How To Use The Delaware Name Availability Search Tool

Follow these steps to use the Delaware Name Availability Search tool correctly when searching for your desired LLC name:

1. Interpreting Your Name Availability Search Results

The Name Availability Search gives you two possible search results. Perform a series of different steps following your result to ensure your LLC name is filed correctly. These are the two main ones to consider:

• The name (Your name) LLC is available.
• The name is not available for reservation.

a. Result 1: The Name (Your Name) LLC Is Available

Your search results show “The name (Your name) LLC is available. The cost for this reservation is $75.00”. This means that your LLC name is available to use. Click “No, perform new search” under the part “Do you want to reserve this name?” and file your LLC paperwork using the name.

b. Result 2: The Name Is Not Available For Reservation

Your search results show “The name is not available for reservation.” This means that your LLC name can’t be used. In this case, you must create a unique variation or choose a new name.

How To Use The Delaware General Information Name Search

Follow these 4 steps when using the Delaware Information Name Search tool:

1. Navigate to the Delaware Division of Corporations General Information Name Search page.
2. Click the “Entity Name” box and enter your desired LLC name without any endings or punctuation. Capitalization doesn’t matter.
3. Keep the “File Number” box empty.
4. Click “Search” at the bottom of the page and review the existing Delaware business list.

1. How To Interpret The General Information Name Search Results

You must examine the search results when using the General Information Name Search tool. Click “General Information”, “Name Search”, and check the availability of your desired LLC name.

The General Information Name Search Tool has three potential search results. Use the guide below to file your LLC name correctly once each result is given.

• The results are not too similar to your desired LLC name.
• No results for your LLC name (No records found).
• Your exact LLC name appears in the results.

a. Result 1: Not Too Similar To Your LLC Name

Results showing names that are clearly different mean that your LLC name is available to use.

For example, your results show similar names such as “Lakeside 1” and “Lakeside 1111 PENN LLC”. In this case, your desired name of “Lakeside 1111” is available.

b. Result 2: No Results For Your LLC Name

Your LLC name is unique and likely available if no results appear.

Search again using only part of your LLC name to check for similar names.

For example, search the word “Bizreport” instead of “Bizreport Studios” to confirm availability.

c. Result 3: The Exact LLC Name Appears

If the search results show your exact LLC name, this means a business in Delaware is already using it.

If the results show a very similar name, your LLC name might be unavailable.

For example, if your results show “Golden River Investment LLC”, your LLC name of “Golden River Investment LLC” is not available.

Name Requirements For Delaware LLCs

Rules for naming a Delaware business entity are set by Delaware law (Section 18-102 of the LLC Act and Section 102 of the Corporations Act).

Your LLC name must follow these rules if you want the state of Delaware to accept it. Once you have a desired name, go through these five rules to check that it’s suitable. If it follows the rules, it should likely get accepted.

• Your LLC name cannot cause harm, confusion, incite violence, or discriminate.
• Don’t include words or abbreviations restricted by law.
• You need to use 1 of 3 suitable designators in your name.
• Your LLC cannot sound like a different corporation or business entity.
• Filling your LLC with or without commas doesn’t matter.

1. Naming Practices And Prohibited Names

a. Your Delaware LLC Name Cannot…

• Cause harm to Delaware’s business reputation.
• Cause harm to the general public.
• Cause harm to the state of Delaware.
• Cause public confusion or purposely deceive.
• Discriminate against a protected class (See below).
• Inspire or facilitate any illegal activity (See below).
• Be difficult to administer by the division (e.g., an LLC name with 500 characters).

b. Your Name May Be Rejected If It Facilitates, Incites, Or Fosters…

• Fraudulent practices.
• Obscene language or false statements.
• Opioids, narcotic drugs, and other controlled substances.
• Stalking, cyberstalking, hate crimes, bullying, or cyberbullying.
• Dangerous instruments and deadly weapons.
• Offensive and inappropriate touching.
• Terroristic acts and threats.
• Reduced public safety.
• Life endangerment or the physical safety of an individual.
• Any other criminal act or offense prohibited under any section of Title 11.

c. Your Name May Be Rejected If It Discriminates Against, Disparages, Or Denigrates Any Federally Protected Class, Including:

• Religion.
• Race.
• Color.
• Disability.
• Sexual orientation.
• Nationality.
• Age.
• Marital status.
• Genetic information.

Your Delaware LLC name will be rejected by an LLC examiner if they find out that you’ve violated the rules during the filing process.

The state can offer an informal opinion over the phone if you think that your desired LLC name may be questionable.

Your Certificate of Formation may be filed with your chosen name, provided you’ve followed the correct procedures.

If it’s rejected by the State, you’ll receive a refund and can re-file using a different name.

The state can still cancel your Certificate of Formation if a questionable LLC name is approved under Section 18-112(a) for abuse or misuse of LLC powers.

Therefore, you should choose a Delaware LLC name that clearly follows all rules.

2. Words Not Allowed In Your Delaware LLC Name

Your Delaware LLC name cannot include words or abbreviations restricted by law.

It cannot suggest that it is a government entity, bank, or name that may mislead the public in any way.

You cannot use words typically used by licensed professionals, such as architects, attorneys, accountants, dentists, and engineers.

3. Designators (Endings) That You Can Use In Your LLC Name

All Delaware LLC names must contain one of the following designators:

• L.L.C.
• LLC.
• Limited Liability Company.

4. Designators That Are Not Allowed

Make sure that you don’t sound like a corporation or other type of business entity.

Designators (Endings) that cannot be used in your Delaware LLC name include:

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

5. Using Commas In Your LLC Name

You can file your LLC name with or without commas. This doesn’t create distinguishability in Delaware.

For example, if your desired business name is “Green Tea’s”, you can file it as:

• Green Tea’s LLC.
• Green Tea’s, LLC.

The state of Delaware also allows other designators if you don’t want to use “LLC”.

Make Sure Your Delaware Business Name Is Distinguishable (Unique)

You can compare your desired LLC name to existing business names using the Delaware Division of Corporations Name Search tool.

You must create a suitable variation or choose a different name if your name isn’t unique.

Here are some rules and examples of LLC names that are not distinguishable and therefore unsuitable. We’ve looked at:

• Filler words don’t create distinguishability.
• Using different designators (Endings) doesn’t make your LLC name unique.
• You can’t add an “s” to make a word plural or possessive to create distinguishability.

1. Filler Words

Filler words won’t create distinguishability. If your desired LLC name is “Green Tea LLC”, it cannot be used if the following names are used:

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

2. Designators

Different designators don’t create distinguishability. You can’t add a different ending to make your desired LLC name unique.

For example, your desired LLC name is “Bizreport LLC”. It’s unavailable if similar names are found when using the Delaware Business Name Search tool. These may include:

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

3. Singular, Plural, And Possessive Words

Making one of your words plural or possessive by adding the letter “s” doesn’t create distinguishability.

For example, if your desired name is “Maple Grove Bakery LLC”, the following words cannot be used.

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

What To Do When Your Delaware Business Name Is Rejected

The state of Delaware will notify you and explain why your Certificate of Formation has been rejected if your LLC name isn’t available.

Following this, you’re able to re-file using a different LLC name or a suitable variation.

Frequently Asked Questions