Naming an ²ÊºçƵµÀ in Delaware
Form a Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ Now
Your ²ÊºçƵµÀ's name can have a huge impact on the success of your business. Your name will appear on all of your official documents, like contracts and tax filings, but also on your branding and marketing. Below is a list of ²ÊºçƵµÀ naming rules that will allow your business to remain legally compliant within the state of Delaware. These rules include naming requirements, naming restrictions, and conventions that are considered acceptable but not a necessity.
Mandatory Inclusions
- Your Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ name must contain either the abbreviation ²ÊºçƵµÀ, L.L.C. or the words "Limited Liability Company." You can put a comma after the name and before the foregoing ²ÊºçƵµÀ designations if you prefer, but most people choose not to use the comma.
- When you register an ²ÊºçƵµÀ in Delaware, if the name you select includes words in a foreign language, a translation must accompany the application for filing the formation.
Your Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ Name Can Never Contain...
- Any reference to the word "bank," or any variation thereof, which may indicate the company is a bank, without the approval of the Delaware Banking Commission. This also goes for words that may mislead the public into thinking you're a medical facility.
- Words the Delaware Secretary of State deems lewd, racist or objectionable.
- The words "Incorporated" or "Inc." because your business is not a corporation, it is an ²ÊºçƵµÀ.
At The Owner's Discretion, Your Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ Name Can Contain...
- Any combination of capital and lowercase letters, including an uppercase letter in the body of the name. For instance, "John Doe ²ÊºçƵµÀ" or "GreatBuys ²ÊºçƵµÀ."
- Numbers as well as letters. For instance, "40 Scott Road ²ÊºçƵµÀ."
- Your name or the name of other ²ÊºçƵµÀ members.
- Any of the following words in their entirety or in an abbreviated form: company, association, club, foundation, fund, institute, society, union, syndicate, limited or trust.
- Words in foreign languages. As stated above, if the name contains any non-English words, a translation must be submitted along with the application for filing the formation.
²ÊºçƵµÀ Name Availability
New Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀs will need to confirm that no other business in Delaware is already using their preferred name. When you submit a Company Name Availability Search with Harvard Business Services, Inc., our team will make sure that your name is unique enough so that it won't be confused with another existing business name.
Delaware vs. National Protection
Registering your ²ÊºçƵµÀ name in Delaware ensures that no other business in the state can use the same or a confusingly similar name. However, this is limited to Delaware and does not provide trademark protection. Your name is not protected in other states unless you register your ²ÊºçƵµÀ in those states or file a trademark with the United States Patent and trademark office. If you plan to do business in other states, it’s best to register your ²ÊºçƵµÀ as a foreign entity in each additional state to prevent any name conflicts.
Other ²ÊºçƵµÀ Naming Tips
Here are a few suggestions to help you come up with the best possible ²ÊºçƵµÀ name:
- Choose a business name that clearly reflects your business's industry.
- Avoid names that are too specific to a specific product or service, allowing room for growth.
- Opt for a name that's easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
- Consider an ²ÊºçƵµÀ name that incorporates relevant keywords to improve search discoverability.
²ÊºçƵµÀ Name Changes
You can change your ²ÊºçƵµÀ's name by filing a Certificate of Amendment and Harvard Business Services can assist you with the entire process. Before submitting we make sure the new name is available using a Delaware business name search tool. Remember that a name change only affects the legal name of the ²ÊºçƵµÀ. It doesn't create a new company or reset your formation date. Once the name change is approved, you should update all relevant records, including your operating agreement, business licenses, and bank accounts.
For any other questions regarding naming an ²ÊºçƵµÀ or Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ formation in general, contact our team and we'll be happy to help you get started.
Form a Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ NowRelated Articles From Our Blog
The HBS Blog offers insight on Delaware corporations and ²ÊºçƵµÀs as well as information about entrepreneurship, startups and general business topics.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 What is a Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ Certificate of Formation? The Certificate of Formation is the document you receive from the state of Delaware once your ²ÊºçƵµÀ is filed and approved by the Delaware Secretary of State ...Continue
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Benefits of a Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ There are a number of reasons a Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ is uncomplicated to form and maintain. The Delaware ²ÊºçƵµÀ is well-known for its unmatched flexibility and low ...Continue
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Change of Ownership for an ²ÊºçƵµÀ is Easy in Delaware Change of ownership for an ²ÊºçƵµÀ can be complicated and requires costly amendments in most U.S. states. However, not in the state of Delaware. The only document ...Continue
Since 1981, Harvard Business Services, Inc. has helped form over 400,000 Delaware corporations and ²ÊºçƵµÀs for people all over the world.
Registered Agent Service
Harvard Business Services, Inc. guarantees your annual Delaware Registered Agent Fee will remain fixed at $50 per company, per year, for the life of your company.
Our Services
Harvard can provide assistance throughout the life of your company. These custom services are the most popular with our clients:
Disclaimer: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is a document filing service that provides general information. We cannot render legal or financial advice and your use of this site is subject to additional terms and conditions. HBS is not affiliated with Harvard University nor the State of Delaware.
© Copyright 1996-2026. ²ÊºçƵµÀ.All rights reserved.