Verify Your Business Name With an Alabama Business Entity Search

Creating your business name is among the most essential elements of your business startup journey. It differentiates you from other companies, helps you create a brand, and makes your services attractive. However, choosing this name for your new LLC can be challenging.

You must pick a name not already in use in the state of Alabama, and a Google search alone may not be of much help here. Fortunately, free online tools can help you search Alabama’s state database of registered businesses and check if the name you want for your new business is available.

A free option to check if your business name is available is through the Swyft Filings entity search. Swyft Filings lets you know the results of your query within one business hour and is straightforward to navigate. Best of all, it’s free of charge. If the business name you entered is available, you’ll get instructions on how to reserve it.

Here’s a short overview of how to search for the business entity at Swyft Filings:

1. Specify the entity type of your business.

2. Enter the name of your choice.

3. Check your email for results. Swyft Filings will check against the Alabama Secretary of State database and let you know if your chosen name is available.

4. Reserve the business name if available.

5. Register your business by completing the following incorporation steps.

You must complete the same procedure when starting an Alabama corporation or LLC. With the help of free online services, you can pick your compliant business name in record time.

Key Takeaways

• The name for your business must be unique in the state of Alabama and must meet the Secretary of State’s naming conventions.

• Searching for your potential business name is easier when you use Swyft Filings’ free entity search tool.

• Choosing a unique name for your business will make it legally possible for the business to operate in the state and help you create a brand.

• Once you find an available name, make sure to reserve it right away.

Alabama’s Business Naming Conventions 

Alabama has special naming conventions for assigning new businesses with names. Your new business entity must be distinct in the state’s databases and true to your services or activities.

Following these naming conventions is essential to give your business a solid start.

Some naming conventions for LLCs[1] in Alabama include:

• You must have a unique business entity name in the state of Alabama.

• The entity’s name must include the words “Limited Liability Company” or their abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).

• You shouldn’t include “Inc.,” “Corp,” or “Corporation” in your business entity name for LLCs.

• Your business name can’t suggest that your business is exempt from Alabama’s state regulation.

• The business name shouldn’t contain prohibited terms, swear words, or inappropriate language.

• The name shouldn’t include words that could confuse your company with a government agency.

Note that the state of Alabama reserves the right not to approve your business name if it resembles the business entity name already registered in the state. It’s best to use verified online tools to check the Secretary of State’s databases and confirm the name availability to avoid such issues.

Benefits of an Alabama Entity Search

The free Alabama Entity Search tool[2] has numerous benefits. Here are some of the most important ones:

• You can start building your brand. Your company’s name is an essential element of the brand behind it. With Alabama business name search, you can find authentic names, giving your business an edge regarding branding or memorability.

• You’re a giant step closer to obtaining your business license. You must have a viable business name to get a business license, and finding a unique name will get you there faster.

• Protection from potential lawsuits. You can get sued if your business name is similar to another business entity in the state. Avoid expensive court trips and charges by choosing a unique name not in the state databases.

• It’s easier to get a domain name. With a unique company name, you can procure a unique domain for your small business.

Next Steps

Creating a suitable name for your small business is only the first step in the business formation process. Here’s what you should do next.

Complete Your Name Reservation

“Calling dibs” on a company name doesn’t work in the business world. When you come up with a name, you must make it official by reserving it. That way, you prevent others from grabbing it while you set everything else up for your incorporation.

The state of Alabama allows you to reserve a business name for one year. Compared to other states, this is pretty generous and gives you enough time to take care of all paperwork and get your business up and running.

To complete a name reservation, complete the Name Reservation Request Form and obtain a Certificate of Name Reservation. You can choose whether to complete the process online (which is a faster option) or send the request by mail/deliver it in person.

Whatever option you select, you’ll need to provide information such as:

• Type of entity

• The selected name

• Your name and address

• The address to which they should send the certificate

• Date

The standard filing fee is $28. If you want to send your request form by mail, use this mailing address:[3]

Secretary of State

P.O. Box 5616

Montgomery, AL 36103

Choose a Domain Name

These days, running a successful business without an internet presence borders on the impossible. That’s why you should consider choosing a domain name immediately after you secure the business name.

In most cases, you’d want your domain name to be identical or very similar to your company’s name. This seemingly insignificant step ensures your customers don’t have to spend ages browsing the internet to find you. Since you can never be sure who’s searching for the same domain name, you should secure it as soon as possible.

Squarespace’s easy-to-use domain search tool can help you quickly find and register a domain name that matches your Alabama business. You can then choose from Squarespace’s flexible website templates, pre-designed layouts, and curated design elements to build a website — no coding required. Start your business with Swyft Filings and receive a free domain from SquareSpace for one year.

If the name isn’t available and you really like it, you can try contacting the domain’s owner and asking them to sell it. Remember that they may not be willing to sell, especially if they’re actively using it for their business. Still, it can’t hurt to try.

Consider a DBA

The business name you use “on paper” doesn’t have to be the one you use when dealing with customers or in marketing campaigns. This “second name” of your business is called a DBA (doing business as). Remember that you can’t just decide to use a different name; it needs to be documented and approved by the state of Alabama.

In Alabama, a DBA is called a “trade name” or a “mark.” Registering for a DBA looks pretty much the same as registering your business name. You must conduct a name search to ensure nobody else uses it.

The state of Alabama has a unique DBA-related requirement you won’t see in most states. Namely, you can’t reserve a DBA for a future business. If you want a DBA, you need to have a business already in operation. You must officially register your business and then file for a DBA.

You can complete the process online or via mail. Regardless of the chosen option, you’ll need to provide this information:

• The date when you started using the business name

• A description of your business

• A statement in which you claim ownership of the DBA

• A description of how you’ll use the DBA

If you’re sending the form by mail, here’s the address:

State of Alabama Office of the Secretary of State

Trademarks Division

P.O. Box 5616

Montgomery, AL 36103-5616

The filing fee is $30.

File Your LLC Online

Forming an LLC is a process that requires time, effort, and patience. The first step in the process is finding an appropriate business name. If you’re ready to set everything in motion and get your LLC up and running, contact Swyft Filings. Our free business name search tool will help you find the perfect name for your business and ensure nobody else is using it.

Once you choose the name, Swyft Filings can assist with the remaining steps and help you form your LLC. We handle filing paperwork and gathering information, which allows you to focus on other essential aspects.

Our LLC filing service is free of charge (you’ll only need to pay state fees) and incredibly convenient. You’ll only need to complete an online form, which won’t take more than 10 minutes. Swyft Filings also offers services like business name changes, annual reports, and other compliance documents.

FAQs

How do I find out if a business name is available in Alabama?

You can use the Alabama business name entity search on the Secretary of State’s website or trust Swyft Filings’ free entity search with the process. These services dig into the official database of Alabama’s existing businesses and compare your desired business name with existing ones.

What is the Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity Search?

The Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity search is a useful online tool that helps you look up your desired business name against the state’s database of registered business entities. This way, you’re one step closer to registering a legal business with a unique name and brand. 

How do I find a business entity in Alabama?

You can find business entities with the help of the free tools available through Swyft Filings and the Alabama Secretary of State. You can search for entities by ID, name, and other factors.

How much does an Alabama business entity search cost?

The cost for an Alabama business entity search is free for everyone.

What are the benefits of registering a business in Alabama?

With the numerous tax credits and incentive benefits, you can benefit from registering a business in Alabama. You also get to choose from a wide range of business names that may not be available in other states with a higher rate of registered businesses.

How do I find a business name in Alabama?

The best and easiest way to find an available business name in Alabama is through the Secretary of State website or Swyft Filings’ services. Both are free of charge, fast, and easy to use. You can get the desired information in only a few clicks.

Bibliography

1. Alabama Secretary of State. “LLCs.” Accessed May 17, 2023.

2. Alabama Secretary of State. “Business Entity Records.” Accessed May 17, 2023.

3. Alabama Secretary of State. “Domestic Entity Name Reservation.” Accessed May 17, 2023.