Key Takeaways

  • Conducting a Florida LLC search is a required step before forming an LLC to ensure your business name is unique and compliant with state rules.
  • The Florida Division of Corporations’ Sunbiz portal allows you to search by entity name, registered agent, FEIN, or document number.
  • Names must include an LLC designator and cannot use prohibited terms like “Inc.” or “Corp.”
  • Understanding status labels (e.g., Active, Inactive, INACT/UA) helps determine if a name might become available.
  • Post-search steps include filing Articles of Organization, selecting a registered agent, and ensuring compliance with Florida’s ongoing business requirements.

When doing an LLC lookup in Florida, there are a few things to first keep in mind. These will help you in choosing a name for your Sunbiz LLC that will be more likely to be accepted. 

You must use LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company at the end of your company name. Because you are opting to become an LLC and not a corporation, you cannot use any version of Incorporated, corporation, or their abbreviations like Inc. and Corp. either. 

The name you choose for your LLC must be unique and easily distinguishable from other businesses already approved in Florida. Changing up only the differentiator at the end of your name or a difference in grammar is not enough to make a business easily distinguished. These include:     

  • LLC, L.L.C., Corp., Inc.        
  • A, An, and The      
  • Singular, Plural, or Possessive       
  • Two versus 2      
  • Hyphens, Em Dashes
  • Commas, Period     

For example, the following names are not easily distinguished:         

  • Banana Farm, LLC vs. Banana Farms, L.L.C.      
  • Embroidery Shop, LLC vs. The Embroidery Shop, LLC       
  • Morning & Night, LLC vs. Night and Morning

How to Do an LLC Lookup

When you decide to form an LLC or incorporate your business, one of the initial steps is to verify that the name isn't being used by anyone else in Florida. Thankfully, the Florida Department of State makes it easy to do the search online:      

  • Go to: http://www.sunbiz.org       
  • Hover over Document Search        
  • Scroll down to LLC         
  • Move the cursor to the right and click on "Inquire by Entity Name"

Next, you will enter pertinent details of the search. If you are searching for an individual's name, you will enter Last Name, First Name, and Middle Initial. Partial names work, and punctuation is not required. You do not need to use the entire name either. You can search by a partial corporate name, too. For example, you can use Little Blue High instead of Little Blue High School. 

Those results that come closest to your search criteria are listed with corporate name and fictitious name. If you don't find an exact match, you can opt to scroll forward or backward using "Previous List" and "Next List" to see what was indexed before and after. 

If you find an LLC name you want to know more about, click on the fictitious name to see more about the registration. Try clicking on the name to get more details on the registration or business with corporate records. If you search by document number and get an error message saying "record not found," it means that particular document number doesn't exist in the Florida database. An error message when searching by name means the business name you're searching is not actually registered with the office. 

Why a Florida LLC Search Matters Before Filing

Performing a Florida LLC search is not just about avoiding duplicate names — it’s a key step to ensure your business name complies with Florida Statutes Chapter 605. A thorough search helps you:

  • Confirm name availability before filing your Articles of Organization.
  • Avoid legal conflicts with existing businesses or trademarks.
  • Prevent rejection of your formation documents by the Florida Division of Corporations.

The Sunbiz database is updated regularly and includes active and inactive entities, dissolved companies, and fictitious names. Even if a name appears inactive, it may not be immediately available for use. Always review the status and consult with a legal professional if in doubt.

Search Options

You have a number of different search options:     

  • Owner Name     
  • Owner Document Number      
  • Owner's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)    
  • Fictitious Name     
  • Registration Number      
  • Registered Agent           
  • Trademark Name        
  • Trademark Owner Name

Once you get into the Corporation and LLC search, you can submit a specific name to check status. If your search returns 15 individual search results for Mary the Crafter, LLC, there is information to the right of each name that talks about the specific statuses.                           

Some of the different statuses you might see include:        

  • Active — Name is not available.          
  • INACT — The company is inactive and was dissolved as a result of an Administrative Dissolution.    
  • InActive — This means the company was voluntarily dissolved, and the name may or may not be available.  
  • INACT/UA — Name is not available now, but may be in a year; usually the status because company forgot to file their annual report.  
  • INACT/CV — Entity Conversion caused this company to be invalid, and the name may or may not be available.
  • NAME HS — Means Name History. A company changed its name at one point; the name may or may not be available.    
  • CROSS RF — Means Cross Reference and it may or may not be available because they attempted to qualify their business, but at the time, the name wasn't available; used alternative name to qualify, which is where the cross reference comes from.

After finding a name that doesn't come up in the Florida LLC database, you are ready to proceed and choose your registered agent. If you still have questions, the Florida Secretary of State Office is willing to try and help via phone at 850-245-6052. 

What to Do After Confirming Name Availability

After you confirm that your chosen name is available, you’re ready to form your LLC by filing the Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations. Here’s what to do next:

  1. File Articles of Organization: Include the LLC name, registered agent, principal address, and business purpose.
  2. Appoint a Registered Agent: Required by Florida law to receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
  3. Obtain an EIN: Apply with the IRS for a federal Employer Identification Number to handle taxes and open a business bank account.
  4. Draft an Operating Agreement: Though not legally required, it’s strongly recommended to define ownership structure and management roles.
  5. Comply with Ongoing Requirements: File annual reports with Sunbiz and maintain accurate records to keep your LLC in good standing.

Additional Considerations Before Choosing a Name

A Florida LLC search is only part of the naming process. Before finalizing your choice, take these additional steps:

  • Trademark Search: Check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to avoid infringing on federal trademarks.
  • Domain Name Availability: Secure a matching website domain early to support your branding.
  • Compliance with Restricted Words: Avoid terms like “Bank,” “Insurance,” or “University” unless you have special licensing or approval.
  • Review New Laws: Recent Florida legislative updates have affected certain industries, including stricter reporting requirements and expanded liability protections.

These steps protect your brand legally and strategically — helping you launch your Florida LLC without future conflicts.

How to Interpret Search Results

Once you run a Florida LLC search, understanding the results is crucial. Here’s what each common status means:

  • Active: The LLC is currently registered and the name is unavailable.
  • Inactive: The LLC was voluntarily dissolved; the name might be available.
  • INACT/UA: The company failed to file an annual report. The name may become available within one year.
  • INACT/CV: The company converted to another entity type. Name availability depends on specific circumstances.
  • NAME HS: Indicates name history — useful if the business recently rebranded.
  • CROSS RF: Suggests a cross-reference name due to initial unavailability during registration.

If a name you want is taken, consider variations that remain distinguishable under Florida law — not just grammatical changes. Adding industry terms, geographic identifiers, or unique brand words often works better than superficial alterations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Do I need to conduct a Florida LLC search before registering?
    Yes. Florida requires that your LLC name be unique and distinguishable from existing entities. A search helps ensure your filing isn’t rejected.
  2. What if my desired LLC name is taken but inactive?
    Inactive names may become available over time. You can monitor their status or choose a different name that meets state requirements.
  3. Can I reserve an LLC name in Florida?
    No, Florida does not offer name reservation services. Filing your Articles of Organization is the only way to secure a name.
  4. What happens if I use a name too similar to another business?
    Your filing may be rejected, or you could face legal disputes if the name infringes on an existing trademark or business identity.
  5. How often should I check the database after forming an LLC?
    It’s good practice to periodically review the Sunbiz database to monitor potential conflicts or updates that may impact your business name or status.

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