All business entities in Arkansas must comply with the Secretary of State’s LLC naming guidelines, which includes conducting an Arkansas business name search before creating a limited liability company.

 

The purpose of our guide is to demonstrate ways that will help you check the Arkansas LLC name availability. Along with complying with Arkansas’ Secretary of State’s guidelines, it is crucial to take into account that your chosen business name is unique and that it is only used by your company.

1. Discover the Guidelines for Naming an LLC

Before deciding on your business entity name, we strongly advise that you perform an Arkansas LLC search.

 

In fact, the first and most essential step of the process is coming up with a business name. It’s critical to remember that you should pick an LLC name that meets Arkansas’ guidelines and can be easily found online by your potential customers.

In summary, the following are the naming guidelines:

  • You are required to use either the abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.) or "limited liability company" in your entity’s name.
  • It is critical to prevent rising confusion between your LLC and governmental agencies like the Treasury as you choose a name for your company.
  • You may be required to complete additional paperwork or need the services of a licensed professional like a lawyer if you opt for including restricted words like Bank or Attorney in your business name.

Our team recommends that you use specific tools like the Arkansas Business Name Search before filing a name reservation. This tool will help you check whether your potential business name is available for use in your state. To make the most out of your research, enter the desired name, excluding identifiers such as “LLC,” and leave the remaining boxes unfilled. This will return all entities with names that are the same or similar.

 

Moreover, if you choose more than one word to form your company name, you can limit your search to the first two words to ensure that you find all similar names.

What To Do If Your Preferred Name Is Unavailable

After performing an Arkansas LLC lookup and skimming through the Business Entity Records, you discovered that your chosen name was already in use. So, what are your next steps?

 

If your Arkansas LLC name is already registered, your final choice is to create a new legal name. You must keep in mind that your LLC name should not be too close to the one you choose previously. Then, once you’ve decided on a legal business name that adheres to the Secretary of State’s naming requirements, reserve it.

 

This step may be more difficult for foreign companies registering in Arkansas.

 

Although your LLC’s original name may be recognized in other states, due to the naming rules, you may need to come up with a new name.

3. Choose a Web Domain Name

Having a domain name that corresponds to your potential business name is a minor yet crucial step to take into account before forming an LLC. You must make sure your potential online clients will be able to find your limited liability company easily.

 

Additionally, you can check the list of domain names available on prominent domain registries, such as GoDaddy, and you can create a URL that compliments your chosen LLC name.  

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4. Reserve Your LLC Name in Arkansas

You will need to contact Arkansas’ Secretary of State’s Business and Commercial Services division for your questions and concerns. 

 

Business enterprises incorporated or allowed to conduct business in Arkansas are granted exclusive rights to use their business name(s) at the time of filing with the Secretary of State, unless the name is identical to or too similar to one already in use in the state. Corporate names can be booked for 120 days before the creation of the business organization, and LLCs can renew this reservation only once.

 

More information is available through Arkansas’ online business services. Business names can be reserved online or by mail by submitting an application. You must pay a filing fee while reserving your name.

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  • Additional Considerations

    Aside from your state’s naming guidelines, there are several important factors to consider when naming your business. Furthermore, searching in various networks and sources is always beneficial; therefore, our team recommends that you conduct extensive research through Social Media and Trademarks, and you can be assured that you will be able to obtain your desired business name.

    Search for a Trademark

    Searching for a trademark will help you develop various aspects of your business, such as the name, logo, and even a slogan. It will also enable you to avoid potential and costly litigation. As a result, discovering that other businesses have trademarked the name you’ve chosen does not preclude you from using it.

     

    However, identifying the company that owns your desired entity name, as well as their industry and location, is critical to avoiding inadvertently infringing on the business owner’s property rights.

     

    The following are the steps for conducting a trademark search:

     

    1. Perform an Arkansas trademark search to discover whether your chosen name or slogan is ready for you to use.
    2. Search through the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s records if other local business entities currently hold your desired LLC name.

    Search through Social Media Platforms

    Lastly, having a memorable and easily accessible business name on social media platforms is critical. This is possible thanks to online tools like Namecheckr, which allows you to do an Arkansas LLC name check across all social media platforms at once.

    Conclusion

    You must perform an Arkansas Secretary of State business search before establishing your limited liability company. The name you pick should be valid and unique from the names of other businesses in the state.

     

    After completing the Arkansas Entity Search and deciding on a company name, you may need to choose a web domain name that matches it in order for potential customers to find your business online.

     

    Just by completing the Arkansas LLC name reservation form, you may set yourself apart from your future competitors. Securing your desired LLC name may help you go forward with the creation of your business.

    How to form an LLC in Arkansas?
    1. Finalize your LLC name. Before actually filing your documents, be sure that your LLC name satisfies the Secretary of State’s naming rules.

    2. Assign a registered agent. Every LLC must assign a person or a firm as their registered agent to administer the serving of process; they must take responsibility for legal papers on behalf of the LLC.

    3. File articles of organization. Articles of Organization (Form LL-01) are filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State to form an Arkansas LLC.

    4. Draft an operating agreement. An operating agreement is a document that specifies the day-to-day operations of an LLC as well as each member’s rights and obligations. The state does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, but we strongly advise you to draft one.

    5. Get an EIN. Even though your LLC has no workers, it must get its own IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) if it has more than one member. You may get an EIN by filling out an online application on the IRS website. There are no filing costs.
    6. Pay state taxes. Every year, all LLCs and foreign LLCs must pay a minimum $150 tax to the Secretary of State. Annual franchise tax reports must also be submitted to the Secretary of State. The annual franchise tax report can be filed online or by downloading a report form from the website.
    How to name an LLC?

    To form an LLC in Arkansas, you must follow the naming rules set by the Secretary of State, which suggest that you add the following words to your LLC name: 

     

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

     

    Moreover, you must not use words that imply the business was formed for a reason other than what was specified in its articles of organization.

    How to change an LLC name in Arkansas?

    To update your Arkansas LLC’s Articles of Organization, you must file a Certificate of Amendment with the Arkansas Secretary of State. You must also pay a $25 (paper) OR $22.50 (online) filing fee.

    How should I know if an LLC name is available?

    To discover if your business name is available, check the Arkansas Business Entity Search tool. For a preliminary name availability screening, contact the Arkansas Secretary of State at (888) 233-0325 or (501) 682-3409, or send an email to corprequest@sos.arkansas.gov.

    How much does it cost to create an LLC in Arkansas?
    • The Arkansas Secretary of State charges a $45 cost if the Articles of Organization are filed online, and a $50 fee if they are filed by mail.

     

    • The Arkansas SOS will reserve your LLC name for $25 if you register by mail or $22.50 if you file online.

     

    • Arkansas LLCs must additionally pay an annual franchise tax of at least $150 to the state.
    Should I renew my LLC name?

    It is critical to understand when to file an amendment. The reasons will differ based on the firm. However, if the modifications impact the legal corporate structure of a firm, you must normally submit an amendment with the state.

    Is it necessary to have a DBA name?

    All sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, and corporations in Arkansas must file a DBA. It permits businesses to operate under any other name other than their legal name.

    What's Next?

    Now that you have your entity name, it's time to take the next steps to establish your Arkansas LLC. Check out our full guide on how to form an LLC in Arkansas, where we can guide you every step of the way.

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