Arkansas LLC or INC Business Name Search

If you have a brilliant idea, you can create a new business, but there are several layers to operating a company in any state in the USA. Branding and marketing are two layers that create a company’s image or business identity. This will not be possible without a proper business name. When naming your company, several key aspects need to be considered, including conducting a thorough Arkansas business name search. There is a process for conducting this search, and that is what this guide is intended to reveal. Its objective is to help you understand the process of conducting an Arkansas business entity search while complying with state naming rules and guidelines.

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Arkansas Business Entity Search

As a prospective or future business owner, you may have several creative ideas related to the operational aspect of your company, as well as a business name. You may have already chosen a company name. However, you will also need to consider the availability of your Arkansas business name. Yes, your chosen name may not be available for reservation or registration in this state. Hence, it is always recommended to follow these steps:

Identify a business name compliant with state rules
Conduct an Arkansas business name search
If the name is available, then reserve the name with the state

The important question is, how will you choose a business name that is available for reservation? Here are some tips that will help you move forward:

Define your brand first, and then identify a name that resonates with the brand
While choosing a name, you can take into consideration the target audience
Choose a name that is easy to pronounce and recall, like “Fox PC Repairs”
You need to ensure your company name is different from that of your competitors
Avoid overused standard terms, words, or phrases. Neither should you use generic words, as they will not stand out
Never limit yourself when it comes to choosing a company name, and consider all possible options
Once you have identified potential names, create a checklist of such names
You should always check the availability of all possible names with domain name registrars and on social media platforms
You can even use business name generators to help you finalize a name
Try to choose a business name, keeping in mind future business growth and expansion possibilities
Your chosen name should not in any way cause trademark infringement

Choosing a business name may seem like a simple process, but several aspects should be considered. This is not all, you also need to ensure that the chosen name is compliant with the Arkansas business name rules. It is noteworthy to mention that the business name rules and guidelines will vary according to the type of entity structure.

What is an Arkansas business name search?

Once you have identified a company name, you cannot simply reserve it with the state. You will need to conduct an Arkansas business name search first. This is a process recommended by every state, including Arkansas. This process helps the business owner verify if their proposed name is already in use by another company or has already been registered in this state. The Arkansas Secretary of State’s website facilitates this type of entity search.

The importance of this process lies in the fact that it eliminates several issues, such as trademark infringement and other name-related legal problems. Simultaneously, it also ensures that the said business name remains unique and is available for reservation or registration. Let’s examine an example to understand the concept and process of searching for Arkansas business name availability.

Example: You want to establish a new company in Arkansas that focuses on marketing. You want to name it “3 Rivers Marketing Group” as the name is catchy and unique. Once you have chosen this name, the next step is to verify its availability as an Arkansas business name. When you search the SOS database, it brings up a similar company name. This is a foreign limited liability company (LLC) based in Little Rock, AR, and maintains good standing with the state. This means you cannot use the same name. Now if you change the name to “2 Rivers marketing” and conduct an Arkansas business name search again, then it will show availability of the said name.

Naming your Arkansas LLC

If you have decided to form a limited liability company in Arkansas, the first step is to identify a name for the LLC. This will be considered the legal name of your LLC. This name will be mentioned in the certificate of organization as well as other critical business-related documents, including the annual report. The name would be used for filing taxes, opening a sales tax account, applying for business licenses, and opening a bank account. The chosen name should comply with Arkansas business name rules and guidelines. Now, let’s look at the two important aspects to consider when it comes to naming your limited liability company.

General LLC naming rules

Naming your LLC can be a challenging process, especially when there are numerous guidelines and Arkansas business name rules to follow. This is not all; you will also need to conduct an Arkansas LLC name search to ensure compliance with these rules. The naming of an LLC and reservation of such a name is governed by the Arkansas Code of 1987 (2024), Title 4 – Business and Commercial Law, Subtitle 3 – Corporations and Associations, Chapter 38 – Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, Subchapter 1 – General Provisions, Section 4-38-112 – Permitted names. The general rules for an LLC name are:

The name should have words like Limited Liability Company or abbreviations like “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.”, or “LC”.
It may also contain words like “limited liability company”, “Limited”, or “limited company”.
This name should be distinguishable from any other name in the database of the Secretary of State. This can be checked by conducting an Arkansas LLC name search.
There are certain word restrictions also known as “Permitted Names” pursuant to AR Code § 4-38-112 (2024). Please verify this before finalizing a name.

It is extremely important to use proper designators at the end of your company name, and an Arkansas LLC cannot use a designator that implies it is a registered limited liability limited partnership (RLLLP) or a professional association (PC). Hence, it is essential to verify the Arkansas business name rules to ensure the state does not reject your name reservation.

Search LLC name availability on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website

If you have successfully brainstormed a name for your LLC in accordance with the business name guidelines, then what is the next step? The next step is to conduct a business entity search in Arkansas. This is also known as a name availability search. The Arkansas Secretary of State’s website offers an online option for conducting this search. You can conduct your search using the following:

Corporation Type (Company Type)
Enter Either Name or Fictitious Name
Registered Agent (RA)
RA City
RA State
Filing #

Since you are establishing a new company, the options available to you are to search using ‘Corporation Type (Company Type)’ or by Name/Fictitious Name. Let’s examine an example to understand how the Arkansas LLC name search process works.

Example: You want to start a marketing company. Now you can choose Domestic LLC and then use just a word like “Marketing” and enter a search. This type of generic Arkansas LLC name search will bring up records of 250 companies. This can be quite an exhaustive process. Instead, if you simply provide your chosen name or specify it as “Big Head Marketing LLC,” the records will show that this name already exists. This domestic LLC is based in Conway, AR, and maintains a good standing with the state. If you change your name to “Big Red Marketing LLC” and conduct an Arkansas business name availability search, then it reveals that your chosen name is available.

If your chosen name is available, you can simply proceed with filing the Application for Reservation of Entity Name (RN-10 form) with the Arkansas Secretary of State.

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Naming your Arkansas Corporation

A business corporation is one of the best entity structures as it has several advantages. If you want to incorporate in the state of Arkansas, you will first need to come up with a name that aligns with your brand, product, or service. This will be followed by conducting a proper Arkansas Corporation name search. The relevance of this search lies in determining whether your chosen company name is available for reservation with the state. Let’s look at the various aspects to consider when naming your new company.

General Corporation naming rules

The business name rules vary by entity structure, and therefore, the naming rules for a C Corporation differ from those of an LLC. It is essential to follow Arkansas business name rules, as this will minimize the risk of your corporate name being rejected. The naming guidelines in this state are governed by the Arkansas Code of 1987 (2024), Title 4 – Business and Commercial Law, Subtitle 3 – Corporations and Associations, Chapter 27 – Business Corporation Act of 1987, Subchapter 4 – NAMES, Section 4-27-401 – Corporate name. The general rules for a corporate name are:

When you form a C Corporation, the name should contain words like “corporation”, “incorporated”, “limited”, or “company” pursuant to AR Code § 4-27-401 (2024)
The name can also contain abbreviations like “corp.”, “inc.”, “co.”, or “ltd.”
The name should be unique and distinguishable from the name of any other company operating in the state, as this will help you with the Arkansas Corporation name search
If your corporation’s name is not distinguishable, then you can apply to the Secretary of State for authorization to use such a name
Unlawful names or names that violate the state laws can be cancelled through a court decree pursuant to AR Code § 4-27-405 (2024)
If you don’t want to use your legal name or the owner’s name, then you choose to use a fictitious name pursuant to AR Code § 4-27-404 (2024)

Search the Corporation name availability on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website

Once you have finalized a name for your corporation in compliance with the state laws, the next step will be to conduct an Arkansas Corporation name search. You can conduct this search on the Secretary of State’s website. They have an online database of all types of entities registered within the state, including foreign businesses. This enables Arkansas business name availability and reservation with the state. The entity search can be conducted by using a corporation type, name, fictitious name, registered agent, or filing number. The most common applicable options for a new business are to search using corporation type and name. Let’s examine an example to understand this process better.

Example: You want to start a computer services or consulting company. You chose the name “Computer Consultants Company”. You can conduct an Arkansas Corporation name search using this name and specifying if it is a domestic or foreign for-profit corporation. The search options will reveal that such a company exists in Forrest City, AR, and maintains a good standing with the state. This means your chosen name has already been registered, and hence you will need to identify a new name. If you change the name to “Computer Consultant Group” and conduct the Arkansas business entity search again, it will show that such a name is available.

Once your chosen name is available, simply file the Application for Reservation of Entity Name (Form RN-10) with the Arkansas Secretary of State.

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Need any Assistance in an Arkansas Business Name Search?

Arkansas has several factors that contribute to creating a favorable business climate, including a low cost of doing business. Hence, if you decide to register your domestic or foreign entity in this state, then you will be in an advantageous position. However, you will need to first identify and reserve a proper business name after conducting an Arkansas business name search. This process may seem perplexing, and that’s where IncParadise can provide you with meaningful assistance.

We are one of the leading providers of business formation services in Arkansas. Whether you want to reserve a business name or incorporate, we can also assist you with various business processes. We provide several additional services to help you comply with your annual state requirements.

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