How to Name Your Delaware LLC
Learn Delaware LLC naming rules, how to check name availability with the Division of Corporations, and how to reserve your business name for 120 days.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Delaware LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $90 (Certificate of Formation)
Processing time: 3–5 business days standard; expedited options available
State agency: Delaware Division of Corporations
Annual report due: June 1 each year (franchise tax due)
State tax rate: No state income tax on out-of-state income; $300 annual franchise tax for LLCs
How to name your Delaware LLC
To name a Delaware LLC, your name must include a required designator, be distinguishable from existing entity names on file with the Delaware Division of Corporations, and avoid restricted words. Before you file your Certificate of Formation, check availability using the Division's free online search tool — a name conflict will get your filing rejected.
Delaware LLC naming rules
Delaware follows the same core naming rules that apply to LLCs in most states, with a few state-specific requirements worth knowing before you settle on a name.
- Required designator: your name must end with "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." — abbreviations are acceptable
- Distinguishable: the name must be distinguishable from all active, reserved, and certain inactive entity names already on file with the Delaware Division of Corporations
- No restricted words: words like "bank," "trust," "insurance," and "university" require additional approval or licensing before you can use them
- No government implication: the name can't suggest it's a government agency (e.g., "FBI," "Treasury," "State Department")
- No misleading terms: the name can't imply a purpose the LLC isn't authorized to carry out
Delaware doesn't require your LLC name to match your business's trade name or the name you use with customers — that flexibility is one reason so many businesses choose Delaware for formation.
How to check Delaware LLC name availability
The Delaware Division of Corporations provides a free Entity Search tool at icis.corp.delaware.gov. Enter your proposed name to see whether it conflicts with any active, reserved, or inactive entity already on file. The Division recommends doing this before you file — a name conflict means your Certificate of Formation gets rejected and you'll need to refile.
The search checks for exact matches and names that are too similar to distinguish. If your first choice is taken, try adding a location, a descriptor, or a different designator. "Coastal" or "Group" at the end of a name can be enough to make it distinguishable — but the Division makes the final call.
How to reserve a Delaware LLC name
If you've found an available name but aren't ready to file yet, Delaware lets you reserve it for 120 days. You file a Name Reservation application with the Delaware Division of Corporations and pay a small fee. The reservation holds the name exclusively for you during that window — no one else can register it.
120 days is enough time to finalize your operating agreement, line up a registered agent, and prepare your Certificate of Formation without losing the name you want.
Trademarks and service marks
State name availability and federal trademark protection are two separate systems. A name can be available in Delaware's database and still infringe on a federally registered trademark — and if that happens, you can be on the hook for rebranding costs, legal fees, and damages.
Before you file, search the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) at tess2.uspto.gov to check for conflicting marks. If you plan to operate nationally or build a recognizable brand, talk to a legal professional about registering your own trademark.
Delaware DBA and fictitious names
Your LLC's legal name — the one on file with the Delaware Division of Corporations — doesn't have to be the name you use with customers. If you want to run your business under a different name, you can register a DBA ("doing business as"), also called a fictitious name or trade name.
In Delaware, DBA registrations are handled at the county level, not the state level. You'll file with the county where your business operates. A DBA doesn't create a separate legal entity — it's just a name your LLC is authorized to use publicly.
Registering your name with the Delaware Division of Corporations
Your LLC name gets officially registered when you file your Certificate of Formation with the Delaware Division of Corporations. There's no separate name registration step — the name becomes yours once the state approves your filing.
Before you file, confirm the name is available using the Entity Search tool, make sure it includes a required designator, and check that it doesn't use any restricted words. Getting those 3 things right before you submit saves you from a rejected filing and a second state fee.
FAQ about Delaware LLC names
Use the free Entity Search tool on the Delaware Division of Corporations website at icis.corp.delaware.gov. Enter your proposed name to check it against active, reserved, and certain inactive entity names already on file. The Division recommends searching before you file your Certificate of Formation — a name conflict will get your filing rejected.
Yes, Delaware has specific naming requirements. Your LLC name must include a required designator — "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." It must be distinguishable from all existing entity names on file with the Delaware Division of Corporations. It can't use restricted words like "bank" or "insurance" without additional approval, and it can't imply a government affiliation.
Yes. The Delaware Division of Corporations lets you reserve an available name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation application and paying the associated fee. The reservation holds the name exclusively for you — no other entity can register it during that window. It gives you time to prepare your Certificate of Formation without losing the name.
Yes. In Delaware, your LLC can operate under a fictitious name — also called a DBA or trade name — that's different from the legal name on file with the state. DBA registrations in Delaware are handled at the county level, not the state level. A DBA doesn't create a new legal entity; it's an authorized name your existing LLC can use publicly.
No. State name availability and federal trademark protection are separate systems. A name can be available in Delaware's database and still infringe on a federally registered trademark. Before you finalize your name, search the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). If you're building a brand you plan to protect, talk to a legal professional about registering a trademark.
Yes. Every Delaware LLC name must include a designator that identifies it as a limited liability company. Accepted forms are "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," and "L.L.C." You can use any of the 3 — the abbreviation is the most common choice. The designator must appear in the official name you file on your Certificate of Formation.
