Washington · LLC name search · verified 2026-09-08
Washington LLC name search: check the official Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division records
Type the name you want. We check it for the required LLC designator and for words that are often restricted, then hand you straight to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division search. Availability is the state’s decision, made in its own records, and that is where you read it.
- Direct link to the official Washington search
- Designator and restricted-word check
- Public search, no account needed
Two more checks before you commit: is the domain free and is there a federal trademark. Neither is answered by the state search.
The Washington designator rule
Every state requires an LLC's legal name to carry a designator that tells the public what kind of entity it is. The three every state accepts: LLC, L.L.C. and Limited Liability Company. Forms verified for Washington from the state’s own source are highlighted below.
The state also rejects names that are not distinguishable from entities already on its records, and typically restricts words that imply a regulated business or a government body. Words that often need approval or a licence:
Restricted-word list is educational and not Washington-specific; confirm with the state. Designator source: app.leg.wa.gov. Verified 2026-09-08.
Reserving a name in Washington
Most states let you hold a name for a fixed period for a fee before filing the articles. Washington’s option, its fee and how long it lasts are published by the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division; we have not independently verified them, so they are linked rather than reprinted.
Most people skip the reservation and file the articles straight away, since forming the LLC is what actually secures the name. Reserve when the paperwork, funding or partners will take longer than the state's window allows.
Three checks the state search does not make
A name that is free in Washington may be taken online. Check the .com and the alternatives before you print anything.
State registration is not a trademark. Search the USPTO database; a conflict there can force a rename after launch.
Registering the LLC elsewhere later means passing that state's name check too. Search any other state now, while the name is still a draft.
After the name: what Washington asks for next
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an LLC name is available in Washington?
Search the official Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division business records, linked above. Availability is decided by the state, on its own rules about names that are distinguishable from existing entities; no third-party site, including this one, can grant or confirm it. The search is public and free.
Does a Washington LLC name have to include 'LLC'?
Yes, an LLC designator is required in the name. Accepted forms verified for Washington: LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Co.. Source: the state's own form or statute, linked on this page.
Can I reserve a name in Washington before filing?
Most states offer a paid name reservation for a fixed period. Washington's option, fee and duration are on the official Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division page linked above; we do not reprint figures we have not verified.
Does a state name search protect the name as a trademark?
No. The state check only tells you whether the entity name can be registered in that state. Trademark rights are a separate question; search the USPTO database linked above and consider a trademark attorney if the brand matters beyond one state.
What comes after the name in Washington?
Filing the articles, naming a registered agent with a Washington street address, and getting an EIN. Then the Washington annual report is due the last day of your formation anniversary month, state fee $70. Links to each step are on this page.
Is this legal advice?
No. Vermilion Vitez is a filing-services company, not a law firm. This page is educational reference information verified 2026-09-08; the official state site is the final word.
Searching another state?
Each state keeps its own records and its own designator rule. All states on one page, or jump straight to one.
Last step
Name checked? File it before someone else does.
The Washington search tells you the name is open today. Only the accepted articles make it yours.
Or call (954) 470-8356 — we pick up.