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How to Name Your New Jersey LLC
Learn how to conduct a NJ business search and register your LLC name.
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We're here to help you find the right business name or register your LLC with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, often simply referred to as the New Jersey Division of Revenue. Here, you'll find all the information you need to register your business and perform a NJ business name search, as well as LLC naming rules, DBA names and more.
Note: In most states, business creation and management is administered by the Secretary of State. In this state, it’s handled by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES), which falls under the NJ Department of the Treasury. However, the NJ Secretary of State does provide some resources and support through its Business Action Center.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, no matter what state they’re formed in. Your LLC name:
Must Be Unique
The business name you have chosen cannot be in use by any other corporation or LLC in the state. This is why it's so important to conduct a New Jersey business search before you begin the formation process.
Must Not Be Too Similar to Another Business Name
It’s not enough for your LLC name to be unique. It cannot be confusable with the name of any other business in New Jersey either. In addition, you cannot use the following factors to differentiate your LLC name from the name of another business:
Suffixes, such as Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., LLC, etc.
Definite articles, such as “A,” “An,” or “The”
The conjunction "And," or “&"
The singular, plural or possessive forms of words
Abbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
Must Contain Certain Words
All LLC names must contain the words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC,” normally at the end of the name.
May Have Other General Restrictions
Most states will not allow you to use an LLC name that:
Suggests affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
Implies a purpose that your business could not legally serve
Is very similar to the name of a federal or state agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, New Jersey Department of Revenue, New Jersey Police, Treasury, etc.)
Uses the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee
Specific New Jersey Rules for Business Names
The general rules listed above are also rules enforced by the State of New Jersey and are detailed in the state's Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, Title 42:2B-3.
How to Choose a Business Name
The perfect business name can be elusive. We've put together a complete guide to help you choose the right business name. In general, you'll want to choose a name that will:
Appeal to your customers and potential customers
Be memorable and stand out
Best represent your products or services
Not be in use by any other business
New Jersey Business Entity Search
Once you've come up with a potential business name, you’ll need to conduct a NJ business search to make sure the name you want isn't already in use by another company. You can look up your desired business name for free using our Business Name Search tool. The NJ Department of the Treasury also has a tool that lets you search the New Jersey business registry.
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your New Jersey LLC name does not infringe on any other company's trademark or service mark. The easiest way to avoid infringement is to carry out a trademark search through Bizee. If no trademark is registered, you can claim it yourself.
New Jersey DBA or Alternate Name
You're permitted to do business under a different name from your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as), fictitious name, trade name or assumed name. In New Jersey, it’s known as an alternate name. You may choose to use an alternate name for several reasons.
For example, your LLC might be called New Jersey Construction Company, LLC, and you also own a business called Garden State Building Supplies. You can create the second company as a NJ alternate name under the existing LLC rather than creating a completely new LLC. To do that, you can either file online, or you can use our DBA service and let Bizee do it for you.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register Your Business Name with the New Jersey Division of Revenue
Once you’ve completed a NJ business search, checked availability, adhered to the naming rules and decided whether to use an alternate name, you're ready to register your LLC name. You can do this one of two ways.
1.
If you're not ready to form your LLC right away, you can reserve your chosen business name for a fee of $50. You can file the reservation online or mail in a form. You don't need to reserve a name if you're forming your business right away.
2.
If you’re ready to start your LLC now, you can file your Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, or have Bizee do it for you.
FAQs About New Jersey Business Names
How Do I Search for My NJ LLC Name?
Use our free Business Name Search tool and enter your proposed business name. You can also perform a New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) business search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether any other corporations or LLCs in the state have that name.
Are There Any Rules for New Jersey Business Names?
Yes. Most LLCs will be bound by general rules applicable to all LLCs, and specific rules applicable in the State of New Jersey. We’ve detailed these rules above.
Can I Do Business Under a Different Name Than My LLC Name in New Jersey?
Yes. You can choose to conduct business under a different name called an alternate name. Details are above.
Can I Reserve a Name for My NJ LLC?
Yes. The New Jersey Division of Revenue allows you to reserve a name if you don’t want to start your business immediately. Details are above. If you are ready to start your business now, you don't need to reserve a name.