Verify Your Business Name With a Washington Business Name Search

Starting a new business in Washington is an exciting yet challenging time for any business owner. But this process can go much smoother if you know every step you must take from the get-go.

Among the initial steps of launching a business in Washington, few are more important than choosing the type of business structure, such as a corporation, limited liability company, or nonprofit. But one that you should pay extra attention to is your entity name.

Generally speaking, anything can become your business name. Well, almost anything. The only names you can't consider are those already in use or those that go against Washington's name conventions.

So, how can you ensure your name doesn't check any of these boxes?

The first aspect is relatively simple: take your desired business name and compare it against existing names using a Washington business name search. If another business owner has already thought of that name or a similar variation, you'll have to come up with another name.

Here’s how to use our free business name search tool to check your business name availability:

1. Fill out a short questionnaire with your desired business name and email address

2. Receive an email within one hour with your results

3. Take action to reserve your desired business name or check another one

The second aspect of choosing the perfect name is ensuring it follows all naming conventions set by the Washington Secretary of State. You'll find these conventions in this guide, together with other helpful information for a new business owner.

Key Takeaways

• New business owners can only use a business name if it isn't taken by another Washington entity and follows specific naming conventions.

• Performing a Washington business name search has several benefits beyond checking business name availability.

• After confirming that a desired name is available, business owners can reserve it for 180 days or immediately file for incorporation.

Washington's Business Name Conventions

Let's say you've used the Washington business name search and determined that an existing Washington company doesn't use your desired business entity name. These results are great, but you still need to ensure your chosen name follows specific naming conventions dictated by the Washington Secretary of State.[1]

Your business name must have a corresponding designator at the end. For instance, a limited company called Stellar Tech should be called Stellar Tech Limited Liability Company. Designator variations such as abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C.) are also allowed.

However, your name cannot reflect another type of business entity. Simply put, a limited company can't be called Stellar Tech Inc. or end in any other designator (Incorporated, Corp., Corporation, Partnership, Cooperative, LP, LLP, etc.).

Business owners who are adamant about using a specific name might try to "trick the system" by registering variations of said name. However, this typically won't work. The following elements aren't enough to distinguish your business name:

• Punctuation marks and special characters (Stellar Tech vs. Stellar-Tech)

• Articles (Stellar Tech vs. The Stellar Tech)

• Conjunctions (Stellar Tech vs. Stellar and Tech)

Some words are banned altogether unless you have the appropriate permits:

• Bank, banker, banking, trust, etc.

• Industrial and loan (combined)

• Building, savings, home, association, society, loan (at least two of them combined)

• FBI, police, government, city, town, county, etc. (common words in names of government agencies)

Benefits of a Washington Entity Search

A Washington business entity search is an essential tool for any business owner, whether running a small business or a corporation. Check out some of its benefits, and you'll immediately understand why.

Dispel any doubts about name availability. 

With an advanced search, you'll be 100% sure if your desired business name is available. Enter your desired name and get quick results as the tool compares your name against the Washington Secretary of State database.

Save valuable time and money. 

Even the slightest misstep in forming an LLC or another business entity can be costly. Did you file for an unavailable name? You've wasted time and money. Did you use a trademarked name? You can get sued and be forced to change your business name. A Washington business entity search minimizes the risk of these unfortunate scenarios.

Find names that will become available shortly. 

If you want to take your search one step further, you can use the search function on the Washington SOS website to view different statuses next to some business names. If the business search page displays "Inactive," "Administratively Dissolved," or "Voluntarily Dissolved" status, the name might become available soon.

Next Steps

Once you've found a unique business name, it's time to take the following steps.

Complete Your Name Reservation

Is your name available, but you're not ready to launch a business just yet? If you fall under this category, don’t worry. Your desired name will be safe, provided you reserve it.

A name reservation grants you exclusive usage rights for your chosen name.[2] But don't get too comfortable; these rights will only last 180 days. Afterward, your desired name is fair game for any business owner.

To complete a name reservation, follow these steps:

1. Download and fill out the Name Reservation form from the Washington Secretary of State website

2. Pay the $30 filing fee

3. Send the form to the following address:

Secretary of State

Corporation Division

801 Capitol Way S

P.O. Box 40234

Olympia, WA 98504-0234

If you change your mind during those 180 days, you can transfer your reservation to another individual. All it takes is a notice of transfer with their name and address.

Choose a Domain Name

Ideally, your domain name will match your business name. For example, a company called Stellar Tech LLC and "stellartech.com" domain are a match made in heaven. 

Squarespace’s easy-to-use domain search tool can help you quickly find and register a domain name that matches your Indiana 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.

Consider a DBA

Another name option worth considering when starting a new business is the DBA (doing business as). A DBA, or trade name, is a fictitious name that offers numerous benefits to business owners.

• If you aren't 100% sure whether you like a business name, you can register it as a DBA so you don’t have to worry about another business swooping in to take it.

• Business owners interested in starting a sole proprietorship can use a DBA to protect their privacy, meaning their first and last name won’t be what customers see.[3]

• You can complete a total rebranding by registering your desired brand name as a DBA instead of opening a new company. 

• If you want to branch out, you can just use a trade name instead of launching separate companies for each new venture (Stellar Tech LLC can branch into Stellar Tech Repair, Stellar Tech Support, or Stellar Tech Consulting.).

Here's how to register a DBA in the state of Washington:

1. Fill out the Business License Application form as instructed

2. Pay the $10 filing fee

3. Send the form to the following address:

Secretary of State

Corporation Division

Business Licensing Service

801 Capitol Way S

P.O. Box 9034

Olympia, WA 98507-9034

File Your LLC Online

With all the actions you have to take as an aspiring business owner, it's perfectly understandable if you're exhausted at the finish line. If that's the case, don't worry. Swyft Filings has got you covered. Leave this task to us, and we'll file your LLC online in mere minutes.

Even better, this isn't where our assistance ends. We can also help you manage your business, from filing the annual report to procuring the necessary business licenses.

Start with our free business name search tool, and we’ll help with the rest.

FAQs

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

To find out if a business name is available in Washington, you can perform a business name search using Swyft Filings' free Business Name Search tool.

What is the purpose of a Washington business entity search?

A Washington business entity search is used to confirm name availability for new businesses, purchase legal documentation, and discover information about a business, such as business license status, mailing address, and universal business identifier [UBI].

How do I find a business entity in Washington?

To find a business entity in Washington, type any known information, such as the company name, into the business entity search on the Washington Secretary of State website (www.sos.wa.gov).

How much does a Washington business entity search cost?

You can complete a Washington business entity search free of charge with Swyft Filings' Business Name Search tool or on the Washington Secretary of State website.

What are some of the benefits of a business entity search?

A business entity search has numerous benefits. Above all, it helps business owners avoid costly mistakes and save time and money when launching a new business.

What are the requirements to form an LLC in Washington?

To form an LLC in Washington, you'll need an available Washington LLC name, a Certificate of Formation or Articles of Organization, an Operating Agreement, and a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Bibliography

1. Washington State Legislature. "Revised Code of Washington: Section 23.95.305." Accessed May 24, 2023.

2. Washington State Legislature. "Revised Code of Washington: Section 23.95.310." Accessed May 24, 2023.

3. Washington State Legislature. "Revised Code of Washington: Section 19.80.10." Accessed May 24, 2023.