State registry search
California business name search
Before you fall in love with a name, make sure it is free in California. The authoritative source is the state registry, plus the LLC naming rules that shape the filing decision.
- State
- CA
- Source
- Official registry
- Reviewed
- June 2026
Official state registry
Search the California Secretary of State
This is the official government database for California — free to search, and the single source of truth for whether a name is taken.
How to check California name availability
- 1 Open the California Secretary of State business search (linked above) — it's the official, free, authoritative registry.
- 2 Search your exact name, then variations (singular/plural, with and without "the", different designators).
- 3 An entity that already exists with a confusingly similar name means yours is likely unavailable — the name must be "distinguishable upon the record".
- 4 If it's clear, forming in California costs about $870 in state fees for year one — reserve the name or file your Articles of Organization to lock it in.
California LLC naming rules
Required designator
Every California LLC's legal name must end in a limited-liability designator. Accepted forms include:
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable upon the record from every entity already on file in California. Tiny tweaks usually don't count — swapping "Inc." for "LLC", adding "the", or changing punctuation won't make a near-identical name acceptable.
Restricted & barred words
Words implying a bank, trust, insurance, or a regulated profession (e.g. “Bank”, “Insurance”, “Engineering”) usually need approval from the relevant state agency. Words suggesting a government agency (e.g. “FBI”, “Treasury”) are barred.
Reserving the name
Name reservation is available for 60 days through bizfile Online.
Check your name against California's rules
Type a name to see, instantly and in your browser, whether it fits California's formatting rules — required designator and restricted words. It's a format check, not an availability check, so confirm the result on the official search above.
Type a name above and pick a state — we’ll check it against that state’s LLC formatting rules, instantly and privately.
Available ≠ yours to own
A clear California entity search means the name is free to register as a business in California. It does not give you a trademark — those are national, based on real use in commerce, and a business in another state could already own the brand. Before you print cards or buy a domain, run a free trademark search too.
Name's clear — ready to form in California?
Forming an LLC in California runs about $870 in state fees for year one. You can file directly with the state yourself, or use a formation service to handle the paperwork and act as your registered agent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a business name is available in California?
Use the California Secretary of State business-entity search — the official state registry — and look up your proposed name. California requires a new LLC name to be "distinguishable upon the record" from every existing entity, so search variations, not just the exact string. It's free and authoritative; third-party "name check" sites just query this same database.
What words must a California LLC name include?
Your legal name must contain a limited-liability designator. In California, accepted forms include: LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company. Words implying a bank, trust, insurance, or a regulated profession (e.g. “Bank”, “Insurance”, “Engineering”) usually need approval from the relevant state agency. Words suggesting a government agency (e.g. “FBI”, “Treasury”) are barred.
Does an available name in California mean I own the trademark?
No. A clear California entity search only means no other California business is registered under that name. It does NOT grant trademark rights, which are national and based on use in commerce. Before you commit to a brand, also run a free trademark search — see our trademark-search tool.
Can I reserve a name in California before forming?
Name reservation is available for 60 days through bizfile Online.
Formation-state cluster
Compare high-intent LLC states
Founders often check the same short list before filing. Compare the name search and state rules for the popular formation states most likely to sit next to California.
Official links reviewed June 2026. State registries change their URLs periodically — if a link breaks, search the state's official site.
The non-resident founder’s U.S. company checklist
Get the free step-by-step checklist, plus the occasional plain-English guide on formation, taxes, banking, and staying compliant. No spam, no hype. Unsubscribe anytime.