Kentucky Business Entity Search

Check your name against Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.

Kentucky LLC naming rules

KRS 275.100 and KRS 14A.3-010(3) and KRS 14A.3-010(1)

Your name must include one of

  • Limited Liability Company
  • Limited Company
  • LLC
  • LC
  • Ltd. Liability Company
  • Limited Liability Co.
  • Ltd. Liability Co.
  • Ltd. Company
  • Limited Co.
  • Ltd. Co.

Your name must not

  • • "Cooperative", except where another provision of the section allows it
  • • "Rural Electric Cooperative", reserved for entities formed under KRS Chapter 279

When is a name too close to one already registered?

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

These do

  • • The real name of the company must be distinguishable from any name of record 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

  • • Filing articles of organization, or a name reservation or registration, does not by itself protect the name from use by other persons (KRS 14A.3-010(18))
  • • The Secretary of State will check name availability through the online search, in writing, or by phone
  • • These rules do not control assumed names, so clearing an assumed name does not clear your LLC name (KRS 14A.3-010(17))

Exceptions worth knowing

  • • The designator must be the last words or letters of the name, not just appear somewhere in it
  • • A professional LLC must instead end with "professional limited liability company", "professional limited company", "PLLC" or "PLC" (KRS 14A.3-010(3))

Kentucky Secretary of State

Phone
(502) 564-3490

Kentucky business name questions

How do I search Kentucky business entity names?

Kentucky Secretary of State runs the official register at https://sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx. Search there for the exact name you want. Before you do, use the checker above to confirm the name satisfies KRS 275.100 and KRS 14A.3-010(3), because a name can be unused and still be refused for breaking the naming rules.

What must a Kentucky LLC name contain?

Under KRS 275.100 and KRS 14A.3-010(3), the name must include one of: Limited Liability Company, Limited Company, LLC, LC, Ltd. Liability Company, Limited Liability Co., Ltd. Liability Co., Ltd. Company, Limited Co., Ltd. Co..

What words are not allowed in a Kentucky LLC name?

Kentucky does not allow: "Cooperative", except where another provision of the section allows it; "Rural Electric Cooperative", reserved for entities formed under KRS Chapter 279.

What makes two Kentucky business names too similar?

Kentucky requires the name to be distinguishable on the register but does not publish a mechanical list of what counts. The real name of the company must be distinguishable from any name of record with the Secretary of State

Does a name search reserve or protect my Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky

Check a name in another state

Sources for Kentucky

  1. KRS 14A.3-010, Entity name — Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  2. KRS 275.100, Name of limited liability company — Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  3. Business Filings (name availability by phone, in writing or online) — Kentucky Secretary of State (checked Oct 5, 2026)
  4. Business Entity Search — Kentucky Secretary of State (checked Oct 5, 2026)