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A unique business name is important for branding, but it’s easy to get lost in all the Oklahoma business name rules.
This page will teach you how to look up your LLC name and make sure it’s available to use.
Oklahoma LLC name
If you file your Oklahoma LLC paperwork with a name that is already used by another Oklahoma business entity – or that doesn’t meet the Oklahoma name rules – your filing may be rejected.
The first step to checking if your LLC name passes is to make sure your name is not already taken by another business.
You can do this using the Business Entity Search and Name Availability Search tools. And you need to do this because two business entities in the state can’t have the same name or be too similar.
The second step is to make sure your LLC name follows the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s rules, which we’ve broken down below.
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How do I search the Oklahoma business entity name database?
You can use the business entity search to search your business name against the existing business entities registered in Oklahoma.
Visit the Oklahoma Business Name Search pages
Oklahoma has two different business entity search tools for checking a potential business name: The Business Entities Search and the Name Availability Search. We explain how to use both tools below.
Business Entities Search
We recommend starting with this tool so you can see other businesses with similar names.
Oklahoma Business Entities Search
Simply enter your desired LLC name in the box and click Search.
- This database searches all business entities registered in Oklahoma. It shows you all similar names.
- Don’t enter a designator (like “LLC”) during the search.
Name Availability Search
We recommend using this in addition to the Business Entities Search to double-check that your Oklahoma LLC name is unique.
Oklahoma Name Availability Search
Simply enter your desired LLC name (including the designator (like “LLC”)) in the box and click Search.
- This tool shows you a simplified list of names that potentially conflict with yours
Search tips:
- Leave out any commas, periods, apostrophes, etc.
- You can search using uppercase or lowercase letters.
Tip: It’s best to enter only the main part of your desired Colorado LLC name in the search bar. For example, if your desired LLC name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, first do a search for the words “Riverwalk Studio”. And then do a search for “Riverwalk”. This helps make sure that you see everything that is potentially similar.
How to interpret the Colorado LLC search results
If the Business Entities Search results show names that are not too similar to yours (meaning yours is distinguishable), then your Limited Liability Company name is available for use.
- Let’s keep using the example above. If your desired name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, and the only similar names you saw were “Riverwalk Rentals” and “Riverwalk Studio Starters”, then your name should be available.
If no results show up, that means your LLC name is unique and it should be available for use. To be safe, run your search again using only part of your LLC name (to double-check that there are no similar names).
- For example, search just the word “Riverwalk” instead of Riverwalk Studios.
If your exact LLC name appears in the list of search records, your LLC name is not available for use because another Colorado business entity is already using it.
If the results show a name that is very similar to yours, your LLC name may not be available for use.
- If your desired name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, and the search results show a “Riverwalk Studio”, then your name is not available.
Once you have a name that appears to be unique, check again using the Name Availability Search tool.
What if my desired LLC name isn’t available?
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a different name for your LLC.
Tip: Wait until your LLC is approved before you apply for your LLC EIN Number or purchase any other marketing materials. This way you don’t spend money on business supplies you can’t use because your business name isn’t available.
Oklahoma Secretary of State Contact Information
You can call the Oklahoma Secretary of State to ask questions about whether your LLC name is available.
Representatives at the Oklahoma Secretary of State can help you use the Oklahoma Business Name Search. But remember: even if the Secretary of State representative tells you the name is available, their opinion isn’t a guarantee.
The Business Services phone number is 405-522-2520. Their hours are 8am to 5pm Central time, Monday through Friday.
Oklahoma Limited Liability Company Name Requirements
As per Section 18-2008 of the Oklahoma LLC Act, there are a few rules and requirements for naming an Oklahoma business entity that you need to know.
Do I have to use a comma in my LLC name?
No, you don’t have to. You can file your LLC name with or without a comma. Both versions are accepted by the Secretary of State.
For example: If your desired business name is Grandpa Joe’s, you can file it as:
- Golden Driller LLC
- Golden Driller, LLC
Or, instead of having “LLC” as your designator (ending), there are a few other options in Oklahoma.
What designators (endings) can I use in my LLC name?
Your Oklahoma LLC name must contain one of the following designators at the end:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Company
- LC
- L.C.
- Limited Company
- Limited Co.
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Ltd. Liability Company
Note: Most people choose “LLC”.
The following designators are not allowed
Your Oklahoma LLC can’t make itself sound like an Oklahoma Corporation or any other business entity besides an LLC.
The following words and designators can’t be used anywhere in your LLC name:
- Inc.
- Corp.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
What words are not allowed in my Oklahoma LLC name?
Your Oklahoma LLC name can’t contain words and abbreviations that are restricted by law.
For example, you can’t make your LLC name sound like it’s a bank, part of the government or a government agency, or anything else that misleads the public.
You also can’t use words that are reserved for licensed professionals. These vary by state, but some common examples are accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists, and engineers.
For more information about restricted words for an Oklahoma business entity, please see Oklahoma Admin. Code – Section 655:20-1-6.
Your Oklahoma business name must be distinguishable (unique)
When you search the Oklahoma Secretary of State Business Search, you will compare your desired LLC name to existing businesses in the state.
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a different business name.
Below are rules and examples of LLC names that are not distinguishable.
Designators
Differences in designators (endings) don’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Ribeye Kitchen LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found in the Oklahoma Business Name Search results:
- Ribeye Kitchen, Inc.
- Ribeye Kitchen, Corp.
- Ribeye Kitchen, L.L.C.
Filler Words
Adding non-meaningful or filler words (the, a, an, and, &) won’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Watermelon Farms LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- The Watermelon Farms LLC
- A Watermelon Farm Inc.
- Watermelon & Farms Corp
Punctuation, Symbols, Spaces
Adding or removing punctuation, symbols and spaces doesn’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Mistletoe Rose Garden LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Mistletoe.Rose.Garden Inc.
- Mistletoe-Rose “Garden”, Limited Liability Co.
- MistletoeRoseGarden, L.L.C.
Different Spelling of the same name or word
Using a different spelling (a phonetic spelling or adding letters) of the same name or word doesn’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Ccottonn Baskets LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Cotton Baskets LLC
- Cotton Bassketts Corp.
- Ccottonn Basketz Ltd. Co.
Numerals or Spelled Out Numbers
Using numerals (like 5 or 101) instead of spelling out the number (like “five” or “one hundred and one”) doesn’t create distinguishability. Using Roman numerals (replacing 2001 with “MMI” or five with “V”) doesn’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is 25 Fiddles LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Twenty-Five Fiddles LLC
- Twenty 5 Fiddles Inc.
- XXV Fiddles L.L.C.
That’s because all the names above are just different spellings of the name pronounced “twenty-five fiddles”.
Special Rule: Person’s Name
Oklahoma has a special rule that people’s names are “words”. A person’s name does make a business name distinguishable.
This rule wouldn’t make a name distinguishable if it was truly identical. So “Bob A. Johnson Inc.” is not available if “Bob A. Johnson LLC” already exists.
But if you wanted to use your name in the business’s name, and another business has a similar name, you might be able to make it work.
Let’s say your desired business name is W. Rogers Painters LLC.
You can use that name, even if these companies already exist:
- Rogers Painters Inc.
- Will R Painters Corp
- Will Rogers Painters Ltd. Liability Co.
What if my Oklahoma business name is rejected?
If you file your Oklahoma Articles of Organization (the document that creates your Oklahoma LLC) and the business name is not available, don’t panic. The state will notify you and tell you why your filing was rejected.
You will just need to file again with a variation of your LLC name or a different LLC name.
Oklahoma Business Name FAQs
Do I need a name reservation in Oklahoma?
No, a name reservation isn’t required to form an LLC in Oklahoma. It’s an unnecessary step and a waste of money.
You can just file your LLC’s Articles of Organization with your desired LLC name.
Does Oklahoma require LLC in the name?
Yes. Your Oklahoma LLC name must contain one of the allowable designators at the end. The most commonly used designators are:
- LLC
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
Does my Oklahoma LLC need a DBA?
No, you’re not required to file a DBA (“Doing Business As”) for your business entity in Oklahoma.
A DBA (known as a Trade Name in Oklahoma) lets your LLC conduct business under a name which is different from its true and legal name (the name on your Articles of Organization).
If you want your LLC to do business under a name that’s different from its true and legal name, you have to file a Trade Name Report online or by mail. You’ll pay an additional fee of $25 to the Secretary of State.
If you are going to file a Trade Name Report for your Oklahoma LLC, it must also be distinguishable from existing business names in the state.
There is no limit to the number of Trade Names an LLC can have.
For more information, please see Does my LLC need a DBA?
When would my LLC use a DBA?
Let’s say you form an LLC called Wild Turkey Plains Tours LLC, but you also want to use a friendlier, catchy name, like Wild Turkey Tours. In this case, your LLC would need to file a Trade Name Report to use the name Wild Turkey Tours.
If you don’t file a Trade Name Report for a different name, you can only use your legal entity name of Wild Turkey Plains Tours LLC.
Similarly, if you want to do business under the name Wild Turkey Plains Tours, just without the letters “LLC” in the name, you will need to file a Trade Name Report for Wild Turkey Plains Tours.
How do I get a business domain name?
Once you’ve found a business name that you like, it’s a good idea to check if your domain name is available before forming your LLC.
You can search for available domain names with GoDaddy:
Find a domain name
What does “distinguishability” mean?
Each business entity name must be “distinguishable upon the records” of the Secretary of State.
This means that no two businesses can operate with the same exact name. Said another way, if a business already exists with your desired LLC name, you can’t register your LLC with that name.
For example, let’s say you want to form an LLC called Redbud Landscapers LLC. But there is already a business in another town called Redbud Landscapers, Inc. Because your desired LLC name is the same as that existing Oklahoma Corporation, it is not distinguishable. You can’t use it and must choose another name.
How do I come up with a business name?
Business names are important for branding and recognition. The name of your Oklahoma LLC can be your company’s brand name, but it doesn’t have to be (please see the FAQ about DBAs above). Either way, picking a good LLC name is an important decision.
Here are some quick tips for coming up with business names:
- First, write down the features of your company and things that you want to be associated with.
- Then list out as many business names as you can think of. Don’t edit or analyze them. Just get as many names on the page as you can.
- Now go back and read through them. Write down any variations that come to mind.
- Next, set the list aside. Do something else, like go for a walk or get groceries, or sleep on it for the night. Then come back and review the list of names. As you go through it, write down additional ideas and variations.
- Read the whole list out loud. If you want, get input from friends, business partners, and family.
- Repeat the process: sleep on the ideas, write down new variations, read them out loud again.
- The best business name will often “rise off the page” and present itself. If it doesn’t, you can try this trick: Close your eyes and count to 10. When you get to 10, you must choose a name. When you open your eyes, force yourself to make a decision. Sometimes we know the best name deep in our subconscious, and this trick can help it come out. Trust yourself and go with what feels best.
For more tips, please see How to Choose a Business Name or check out TRUIC’s Business Name Generator.
Can I use the name of another Oklahoma entity?
No. You can’t use the same name as another Oklahoma business.
And it doesn’t matter what entity type it is – your LLC can’t have the same entity name as another corporation, LLC, or any other entity type.
You can’t use another business’s name even if the entity is in “delinquent” status on the Oklahoma Secretary of State website.
But if a business is dissolved, they no longer have rights to that name. This means you can form an LLC with the same name.
How do I change my LLC name?
You can change your LLC’s name later by filing an Amendment form with the Secretary of State.
We have step-by-step instructions on how to change an LLC name in Oklahoma.
How to start an LLC in Oklahoma?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Oklahoma:
- Choose an LLC name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Oklahoma Registered Agent
- File the Oklahoma LLC Articles of Organization
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Oklahoma
References
Oklahoma LLC Act – Section 18-2008
Oklahoma Admin. Code – Section 655:20-1-6
Oklahoma Secretary of State: Business Search
Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce: How to Start a Business
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
If you go with Northwest to form your LLC, is their resident address in the state in which you are filing? On Oklahoma’s Articles of Organization, it says the address of the registered agent has to be in OK.
Hi Diane, great question. Northwest Registered Agent has offices in every state. If Northwest forms your LLC and acts as your Oklahoma Registered Agent, their Oklahoma address is used in your LLC’s Articles of Organization. Hope that helps.
I recently received an EIN number for my LLC. The name, i.e. “John do”, does not have an LLC at the end. Is it necessary and if so, what is the fastest way to change it?!
Hi Sydney, yes, I recommend getting that fixed. Rather than changing it, it’s easier to cancel the incorrect EIN (https://www.llcuniversity.com/irs/cancel-ein/) and then just get a new one online. Hope that helps.
Hi,
After filling and the filling fee has been deducted from my account, how do i know my LLC is approved? Call or wait for approval letter in the mail?
Hi Eman, if you filed your Oklahoma LLC by mail, you’ll receive your approval back by mail in 7-10 business days. If you filed your LLC online, you’ll receive your approval back by email in 1-2 business days. Hope that helps!