Key Takeaways

  • Conducting an NJ LLC name search ensures your desired name is unique and compliant with state naming laws.
  • Use the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services Business Name Search to verify name availability before filing.
  • Avoid prohibited or misleading terms such as “Bank,” “Trust,” or government-related words without authorization.
  • You can reserve a business name for 120 days by filing a name reservation request online or by mail.
  • If your chosen name is taken, consider using an alternate or DBA name that complies with NJ naming standards.
  • Foreign and domestic LLCs must comply with NJ name availability rules before registration.

Conducting an LLC name search NJ before forming your NJ Limited Liability Company is essential. When choosing your name, keep in mind that there are certain rules and prohibited terms when choosing your name. You’ll want to choose a name that is short, easy to spell, easy to find on the Internet, unique, and describes your brand.

Business Entity Search

Almost all states, including the State of NJ, require that your business name be unique from any other active business. Therefore, you will need to conduct a business entity search to see if the name you want to use is available. If it’s not available or if it is similar to another current business entity, then you will need to choose a new name.

When searching for names, be careful with punctuation and spacing, as any inconsistencies will affect the results of your search. The name search database ignores capitalization, spaces, and punctuation of any kind, such as commas, periods, apostrophes, ampersand, and dashes. The database also ignores terms like “and,” “or,” and “of” along with plural terms with an “s” on the end.

In order to prevent such inconsistencies in your search results, you will need to include a wildcard at the end of the name search so that all similar names can be found and analyzed before you choose your business name.

How to Conduct an NJ LLC Name Search

To perform an NJ LLC name search, visit the New Jersey Business Records Service operated by the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES). This online search tool allows users to:

  • Enter a proposed business name to check for exact matches and similar names.
  • View details of existing entities such as entity ID, filing status, and registered agent.
  • Filter by business type (LLC, Corporation, or Trade Name) to narrow down results.

When performing your search:

  • Use broad search terms to reveal similar variations and avoid future conflicts.
  • Omit punctuation, capitalization, and suffixes like “LLC” or “Inc.” for more accurate results.
  • Review the entity status — avoid names used by active or reserved entities.

If your preferred name appears available, you can reserve it for 120 days by submitting a name reservation form (Form UNRR-1) with a $50 filing fee, either online or by mail to the Division of Revenue.

Prohibited Terms

There are several prohibited terms that cannot be used in any business in the State of NJ, including but not limited to the following:

  • Bank Little League
  • Banker Mail
  • Banking Olympiad
  • Blind Olympia
  • DBA Realtor
  • E-Com Trust
  • USPS

Furthermore, certain business designations cannot be used at the end of your business name, including the following: Incorporated PC, L.L.C. P.C., Limited Liability Co Professional Association, or Limited Liability Company Professional Corporation. These terms give the impression that you are operating as a business structure rather than an actual LLC.

New Jersey Naming Rules and Requirements

The New Jersey Revised Statutes (N.J.S.A. 42:2C) set strict rules for business naming. Your LLC name must:

  • Include a proper designator like “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.”
  • Be distinguishable from all other entities registered in the state.
  • Not imply an affiliation with a government agency or a regulated profession unless authorized (e.g., “FBI,” “Treasury,” “Attorney”).
  • Avoid using terms like “Bank,” “Insurance,” or “University” unless licensed under those industries.

Additionally, trademark compliance is important. Even if your LLC name is available in the NJ database, it could conflict with existing federal or state trademarks. Check the USPTO trademark database before filing to avoid legal disputes.

Similar Business Name

If there is a possibility of confusing another name with yours, then you must choose a new name. Some examples of similarity involve simply changing words like “the,” “and,” “of,” or even changing numerical numbers to written numbers.

You cannot simply change punctuation, spacing, or use dashes to claim that your business name is unique to another similar or identical business name. You also can’t use suffixes in your business name to claim that it is unique, i.e. Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp, Co, Inc, Ltd, and LLC.

You also can’t abbreviate words, use different font, or add in symbols to claim that your business name is different.

Foreign businesses that want to conduct business in the State of NJ must also first identify whether a business with their name is already in use within the state. However, if the foreign business finds that a corporate name is already taken, the foreign business can form a DBA (doing business as) within the State of NJ. With that said, the DBA name must not be used by another DBA.

When registering the DBA name, you will need to include the actual business name as it was formed outside the State of NJ, along with the DBA name that you want to use within the State of NJ. The registration cannot be submitted online, and must be done either by mail or fax (in hard copy form). Regarding DBAs, keep in mind that only foreign businesses can use a DBA business name. Domestic NJ businesses cannot use a DBA name.

Once you’ve chosen a business name that is available for use, you can reserve your name by submitting a request and nominal fee.

Name Reservation and Registration Process

Once your desired name passes the NJ LLC name search, you can reserve it for up to 120 days before officially forming your LLC.

To reserve a name:

  1. File Form UNRR-1 (Name Reservation) via the DORES online portal or by mail.
  2. Pay a $50 non-refundable fee.
  3. Receive confirmation of reservation, which prevents others from registering the same name during that period.

If you’re ready to form your LLC immediately, you can skip reservation and directly file the Certificate of Formation (Form NJ-LLC-1). During filing, ensure your LLC name matches the one approved by DORES to prevent rejection.

Alternate Name

After registering your business name, you can also conduct business in the State of NJ with an alternate name. You will also need to conduct a business entity search if wanting to use an alternate name. This means that the alternate name will be registered and used as the business name for business vendors and customers. However, the formation documents will still identify the actual business name, along with the alternate name being used.

Using a DBA or Alternate Name in New Jersey

If your preferred business name is unavailable or you wish to operate under a different brand, you may file for an alternate name (commonly called a DBA — “Doing Business As”).

For domestic LLCs, file an Alternate Name Certificate (Form C-150G) with the Division of Revenue. For foreign LLCs, the form must also include proof of authorization from your home state.

Important DBA guidelines:

  • The name must meet NJ’s distinguishability and prohibited term standards.
  • Alternate names are valid for five years and can be renewed by filing a renewal form.
  • Filing fees are $50 per alternate name.

Using an alternate name allows flexibility in branding while preserving your legal LLC identity. Always ensure that your marketing and contracts clearly identify your LLC’s registered name alongside the DBA for transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is an NJ LLC name search free?
    Yes. The NJ Business Records Service offers a free online search tool to check name availability and entity details.
  2. Can I reserve my LLC name before filing?
    Yes. You can reserve a name for 120 days with Form UNRR-1 and a $50 filing fee.
  3. What happens if my desired LLC name is taken?
    You’ll need to select a new name or file under an alternate (DBA) name that meets NJ’s naming requirements.
  4. Can two businesses have similar names in NJ?
    No. Names must be “distinguishable upon the record.” Even minor spelling or punctuation changes are not sufficient to make names unique.
  5. Do I need a trademark search in addition to the NJ LLC name search?
    Yes. Conduct a federal and state trademark search to ensure your name doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks before filing your LLC.

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