A Florida LLC name search is free and takes a few minutes on Sunbiz.org, the state’s Division of Corporations site. Search the core words of the name you want, look for anything identical or close, and if nothing conflicts, the name is probably available.
That “probably” matters. A name that’s too close to an existing business gets your Articles of Organization rejected, which means picking a new name and refiling. So it’s worth searching properly before you file.
How to do a Florida LLC name search on Sunbiz
- Go to dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/, Florida’s official Division of Corporations website.
- Click “Search Records” on the site menu.
- Choose “Entity Name Search.”
- Type the core words of your name, without “LLC.” If you want “Sunshine Consulting LLC,” search “Sunshine Consulting.”
- Read the results. An exact match means the name is taken. Similar names may cause confusion and a rejection. No results means it’s likely available.
- Click into any similar results to see their details and status.
Don’t skip step 6. A business marked “Inactive” or “Dissolved” may still block your name.
What are Florida’s LLC naming rules?
Your name has to end with one of these: “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” So “Sunshine Consulting LLC,” “Sunshine Consulting, L.L.C.” and “Sunshine Consulting Limited Liability Company” all work. “Sunshine Consulting Company” doesn’t, because it’s missing the LLC designation.
You also can’t use words that imply you’re a different type of entity (Corporation, Inc., Corp.), suggest illegal activity, or mislead people about what your business does.
Some words need extra documentation or approval before Florida will accept them:
| Word type | Examples | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Banking | Bank, Trust, Credit Union | State banking approval |
| Insurance | Insurance, Insurer | State insurance approval |
| Education | University, College | State education approval |
| Professional | Attorney, Doctor, Engineer | May need professional license |
What counts as “distinguishable”?
This is the rule to watch most closely. Florida requires your name to be “distinguishable upon the records” from every existing Florida business name. It can’t be identical, and it can’t be so similar that people would confuse the two. Small differences usually aren’t enough.
These changes don’t make a name distinguishable:
- Different punctuation
- Different spacing
- Adding “The,” “A” or “An”
- Changing LLC to L.L.C.
- Minor spelling variations
So if “Sunshine Consulting LLC” already exists, “Sunshine Consultant LLC” is too similar, and “The Sunshine Consulting LLC” won’t pass either.
What may work is adding a real word. A geographic term (“Tampa Sunshine Consulting LLC” or “Florida Sunshine Consulting LLC”), a descriptive word (“Sunshine Digital Consulting LLC”) or a different industry indicator (“Sunshine Consulting Design LLC” next to “Sunshine Consulting Services LLC”) may be approved.
Is a name that passes Sunbiz safe to use?
Not necessarily. Sunbiz only tells you whether Florida will register the name. It says nothing about trademarks, and that’s the bigger risk.
Search the federal trademark database at USPTO.gov before you commit. A trademark owner can force you to change your name and potentially sue for damages, even if Florida approved it. Florida also only checks against Florida-registered businesses, so an out-of-state company with the same name won’t show up on Sunbiz but may still have trademark rights.
Then do the practical checks:
- Domain: look it up at GoDaddy.com, Namecheap.com or your preferred registrar. A .com is the most desirable, and it’s smart to register the domain before you form the LLC so nobody takes it in the meantime.
- Social media: check the platforms that matter to your business, such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
- Google: search the exact name for existing businesses using it, negative associations and domain squatters.
Should you reserve your name?
Only if you aren’t ready to file yet. If you are, skip the reservation and file your Articles of Organization directly. The filing itself locks in the name.
If you need to wait, you can reserve the name online at Sunbiz.org. Go to “Start a Business,” select “Reserve a Name,” enter the name, the entity type (LLC) and your contact information, and pay the $25 fee.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | $25, non-refundable |
| Duration | 120 days |
| Renewable | Yes, for an additional $25 |
| Transferable | Yes, to another party |
How do you pick a name that holds up?
Search several variations, not just your first choice. Try it with and without “The,” with a geographic term, with an industry descriptor and with abbreviations.
Think about where the business might go. “Orlando Lawn Care LLC” ties you to Orlando. “Precision Lawn Services LLC” doesn’t.
Make it easy to spell, easy to say and hard to confuse with anyone else. And avoid generic names. A name like “Florida Consulting LLC” may be hard to trademark later. Something like “Skybridge Strategy Consulting LLC” is a stronger choice.
What happens if Florida rejects your name?
You’ll get a notification explaining why, and you’ll have to choose a new name and refile. As for your $125 filing fee: online, the fee isn’t charged until the name is approved. By mail, the fee may be lost or returned depending on the circumstances.
The way to avoid this is a careful search before filing and following the naming rules exactly.
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Let IncCraft check the name for you
When you start our formation process, you enter the name you want and we search Florida’s database. If there’s a conflict, we tell you and suggest alternatives. We only file once the name is clear.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Florida LLC name search free?
Yes. Searching the Sunbiz.org database costs nothing. You only pay when you reserve a name ($25) or file your LLC ($125).
How do I check if an LLC name is available in Florida?
Go to Sunbiz.org, click “Search Records,” choose “Entity Name Search” and enter the name you want. Check the results for exact or similar matches.
Can I use a business name that was previously dissolved?
Possibly. Dissolved business names may become available, but timing varies, and some names are blocked for a period after dissolution.
What if I want the same name as an out-of-state business?
Florida only checks against Florida-registered businesses. But the other business may have trademark rights that stop you from using the name.
Can two LLCs have similar names in Florida?
Not if they’re too similar. Names must be “distinguishable upon the records,” and one that’s too close to an existing business will be rejected.
Should I trademark my LLC name?
If you plan to build a brand around it, consider federal trademark registration. It protects the name beyond Florida’s borders.
Ready to file?
Once the name checks out, you can form the LLC. The IncCraft Standard Package is $199 plus the $125 state fee. We verify name availability before filing, prepare your Articles of Organization, include first-year registered agent service and handle your EIN application.
Questions? Call (352) 557-9713.