Indiana LLC Name Search — Check Availability

Before forming your LLC, verify your desired name is available through the Indiana Secretary of State's business entity database at INBiz (inbiz.in.gov). The search is free and returns instant results.

How to Search

1. Go to inbiz.in.gov
2. Select "Business Search" from the main navigation
3. Enter your desired LLC name (without the designator for broader results)
4. Review results for exact matches and similar names
5. Verify no "distinguishably similar" names exist

The search covers all registered entities in Indiana — LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and others.

Indiana Naming Rules

Must include: "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."

Must be distinguishable from all existing entities on the SOS records. Indiana determines distinguishability similarly to other states — minor variations (punctuation, capitalization, "The") usually aren't sufficient.

Restricted words:

• "Bank," "Banking" — requires Indiana DFI approval
• "Insurance" — requires Indiana DOI approval
• "University," "College" — requires additional licensing
• "Engineer," "Engineering" — may require board approval

Cannot imply different entity type: No "Corporation," "Inc.," "Ltd." in an LLC name.

If Your Name Is Taken

Options if your preferred name is unavailable:

1. Modify with a distinguishing word (geographic, descriptive, industry)
2. Check if the existing entity is dissolved/inactive
3. Choose a completely different name
4. Use the unavailable name as a DBA/Assumed Business Name ($20/county) under a different legal LLC name

Name Reservation

If you find an available name but need time before filing, reserve it for 120 days ($20 through INBiz).

FAQ

Is the name search free?

Yes. Searching the Indiana business entity database through INBiz is completely free and returns instant results.

How do I know if my name is "distinguishable"?

If the search returns very similar names (same words in different order, trivial variations), your name will likely be rejected. When in doubt, the SOS will reject the filing at no cost to you — you can then revise and refile.

Should I also check for federal trademarks?

Yes. Check the USPTO database (tess2.uspto.gov) to avoid potential trademark conflicts beyond Indiana's state-level database.