Washington, DC, is known for politicians, tourists, museums, and monuments, but it also has a thriving business community. Many new DC business startups are choosing the advantageous route of organizing as limited liability companies. One of the first things a new LLC needs is a business name. The name should be memorable, it should fit the business, and it must follow the regulations for naming an LLC in the District of Columbia.
There are a number of rules around what LLC names you can use in DC. One key requirement is that the name be unique. It can鈥檛 be the same as a name that is already in use by another DC business entity. If you file your Articles of Organization using a name that鈥檚 taken, your application will be rejected.
The business entity search provided by the district鈥檚 Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) is an accurate and reliable search that, used property, will turn up any existing business names identical or similar to yours. While you might be able to do a successful search simply by keying your chosen name into your favorite search engine, the DLCP search is free and produces results that you can be comfortable depending on.
Two DC Law Library publications, and , detail the requirements for business entity names, including the requirements for LLCs.
Many rules derive from the fact that you may not use a name that makes inaccurate suggestions about what your company does. For example, you may not use a name that suggests you are a government agency. You may not use a word that implies you are a bank or an insurance company unless you actually are one and have the approval of the mayor. You may not use a name that suggests illegal activity. An LLC may not use the words Inc., Corp., Incorporated, Corporation, or Non Profit.
An LLC name must end with a phrase or abbreviation that declares it鈥檚 an LLC. Examples are Limited Company, Limited Liability Company, LC, L.C., LLC, and L.L.C.
Your name must be distinguishable from every other entity name on file in DC. The district鈥檚 rules about what constitutes a distinguishable name are more liberal than in most states. However, not every permissible name is a good one to use. A name that is too close to other business names can cause confusion and even legal issues.
Filler words can make a name distinguishable. For example, Acme Industries LLC and The Acme Industries LLC are distinguishable names in DC. They are not distinguishable in most states.
Adding a plural or possessive 鈥渟鈥� makes a DC name distinguishable. Adding special characters or replacing a spelled-out number with a numeral creates a distinguishable name.
However, adding or changing the LLC identifier does NOT create a distinguishable name.
The DC Secretary of State鈥檚 Office provides a business center facility called CorpOnline, which supports a number of functions, including an entity name search. To use CorpOnline, you must open a free account in a sign-on facility called Access DC.
Get started at the . Either sign in with your Access DC ID and password, or click the Sign-up link to create one.
At the page, enter your chosen name in the Search by Entity Name and click the Search button. There鈥檚 no need to use Search Options.
If the name you鈥檝e chosen appears in the list of results, that name is not available. If you see a similar name, it may not be available if it鈥檚 not distinguishable from your name. For example, if there鈥檚 a corporation called ABC Industries, then ABC Industries LLC is not an available name. If you need clarification on a search result, call the DLCP at 202-671-4500 during business hours.
A few pointers to improve your search:
Also, before you settle on a name, you should check to see if the name is trademarked or if someone has reserved the name as a domain name. Trademarks are at the national level, and you run the risk of an infringement if you choose a trademarked name for an LLC. To check, use the trademark search tool with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
If someone has your name claimed as a domain, you won鈥檛 be able to use it for your own website. You can do a domain name search with tools such as GoDaddy.
A Trade Name in DC is similar to what鈥檚 called a Doing Business AS (DBA) name in most stares. You use one if you want to do business under a name other that your registered LLC name. Some reasons to do this: you鈥檝e opened a new line of business, or you want a name that includes the street or neighborhood of a new location. The has detailed information. You can have as many Trade Names as you like, and each one costs $55. Unlike DBA names in many states, a DC Trade Name must be distinguishable from existing business names. You can search for it the same way you did your LLC name.
Once you鈥檝e found an available LLC name that you like, there are several options to consider:
Choosing a business name is an important early step for your new LLC. It should be meaningful and easy to remember. It also must conform to DC naming rules, and it can鈥檛 be a name that鈥檚 in use by an existing business. An entity search at the district’s CorpOnline will tell you whether your chosen name is available.
DC will reject your Articles of Organization if you don鈥檛 have a distinguishable LLC name. An entity search ensures that your desired name is available.
Use the Secretary of State鈥檚 CompOnline web pages to search for names that are taken.
$50, and the reservation is good for 120 days.
In DC, it鈥檚 called a Trade Name, and, yes, you should register it. It informs the public that you are doing business under that name.
Two documents,聽听补苍诲听, list the guidelines in detail, including words that are required and those you may not use.
You must choose a different name. It鈥檚 wise to have several names in mind when you begin your entity name search.
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