Delaware Business Entity Search

Check your name against Delaware law before you file. The state's search tells you whether a name exists. It does not tell you whether yours is legal, or whether it is too close to one already on the register. This does both.

Search the official Delaware register Form this LLC for $399

What this does not check

  • • Whether the name is already taken. That needs the state’s live register, which we link below.
  • • Trademarks. A name can be free on the state register and still infringe a federal or common law mark.
  • • Domain and social handle availability.
  • • Whether the name is available in any other state you later register in.

Delaware LLC naming rules

6 Del. C. § 18-102 and 6 Del. C. § 18-102(2)

Your name must include one of

  • Limited Liability Company
  • L.L.C.
  • LLC

Your name must not

  • • The word "bank", or any variation of it, unless the company is a bank supervised by the State Bank Commissioner or a subsidiary of a bank or savings association, or the Division decides the word is clearly not being used to refer to a banking business

When is a name too close to one already registered?

This is what catches most filings. Delaware compares your name against what is already on the register, and a difference that looks obvious to you may not count.

These do

  • • The name must be such as to distinguish it upon the records of the Secretary of State from every other entity on file, including corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, statutory trusts, registered series and foreign limited liability companies

Names Delaware will accept with the other company's consent

  • • A name that is not distinguishable may still be registered with the written consent of the other entity, filed with the Secretary of State

Our comparison cannot judge: Repeated or dropped letters. Texas treats "Texxas Strong" as the same name as "Texas Strong". Words that sound alike. Texas treats "Xpress Auto" as the same as "Express Auto". Words that mean the same thing in another language, where the state translates them. Anything the filing officer decides at their own discretion, which every state reserves.

Searching the official register

  • • Delaware expressly permits words that other states restrict or ban. § 18-102(4) allows Company, Association, Club, Foundation, Fund, Institute, Society, Union, Syndicate, Limited, Public Benefit and Trust in an LLC name, where California bans "trust" outright and New York needs the Department of Financial Services to consent to it
  • • A name reservation lasts 120 days, is optional, and the Division charges for it
  • • Reservations and searches both run through the Division of Corporations name search

Delaware Department of State

Division of Corporations

Phone
302-739-3073

Delaware business name questions

How do I search Delaware business entity names?

Delaware Department of State runs the official register at https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx. Search there for the exact name you want. Before you do, use the checker above to confirm the name satisfies 6 Del. C. § 18-102, because a name can be unused and still be refused for breaking the naming rules.

What must a Delaware LLC name contain?

Under 6 Del. C. § 18-102, the name must include one of: Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., LLC.

What words are not allowed in a Delaware LLC name?

Delaware does not allow: The word "bank", or any variation of it, unless the company is a bank supervised by the State Bank Commissioner or a subsidiary of a bank or savings association, or the Division decides the word is clearly not being used to refer to a banking business.

What makes two Delaware business names too similar?

Delaware requires the name to be distinguishable on the register but does not publish a mechanical list of what counts. The name must be such as to distinguish it upon the records of the Secretary of State from every other entity on file, including corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, statutory trusts, registered series and foreign limited liability companies

Can I use a name that is already taken in Delaware?

Sometimes. A name that is not distinguishable may still be registered with the written consent of the other entity, filed with the Secretary of State The consent has to be filed with your formation document.

Does a name search reserve or protect my Delaware name?

No. A search tells you what is on the register at that moment. It is not an approval, and it gives you no rights in the name. Availability is finally determined only when your formation document is reviewed.

Can StartGlobal form my Delaware LLC?

Yes. Formation is $399 one time with all state and government fees included, and it works from anywhere in the world with no SSN and no US address required.

More for Delaware

Check a name in another state

Sources for Delaware

  1. 6 Del. C. § 18-102, Name set forth in certificate — Delaware Code Online (checked Aug 10, 2026)
  2. How to Form a New Business Entity — Delaware Division of Corporations (checked Aug 10, 2026)
  3. Entity name search and reservation — Delaware Division of Corporations (checked Aug 10, 2026)