Arkansas Business Name Search (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to search for Arkansas business names

The Arkansas Secretary of State (SoS) makes it easy to search for business entity name availability. It includes all entity search types in one search. To conduct an entity name search, take the following steps.

If the system returns “There were no records found!” the name is most likely available. If the system returns a list of companies, one might be an exact match, and the rest might be similar names. The business owner should browse the list to determine whether any name is too similar to be used.

How to register a business name in Arkansas

Arkansas does not require a business owner to create an account to register a business. Instead, business owners fill out the appropriate forms and submit them electronically for business filings. To register a new business in Arkansas, navigate to the Corporations Online Filing System. Choose the appropriate form(s). Fill them out right online, then submit them with payment.

If a prospective business owner is not sure which entity type to choose, contact a business law attorney. Some entities offer protection of personal assets, while others do not. The Internal Revenue Service taxes entities in various ways. For example, sole proprietorships and general partnerships are pass-through entities. Business owners pay business taxes on their personal taxes.

Corporations pay taxes before paying the owners, board members, and employees. Then the individuals pay taxes on their wages (double taxation).

Arkansas trademark/DBA name search

Some businesses trademark their logo, products, or services. If a business wishes to file a trademark or trade name, search the Arkansas Secretary of State’s trademark database.

Enter the search criteria in the ‘Name’ or ‘Owner’ boxes, then click ‘Search.’ A business owner should try different keywords related to her business to ensure that she finds any trademark that might be similar.

If a business owner registers a trademark in Arkansas, the exclusive protection is only for Arkansas. To obtain national protection, the business owner must file a federal trademark. If the business owner wishes to determine whether a business name or logo has been trademarked at the federal level, search the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Check if the domain name is available

Before a business registers its name, the business owner should take additional steps to ensure that the name is available for domain and social media use. While the domain name and social media accounts or pages do not have to have the same name as the business, it is better for marketing purposes. If another person or entity is already using the name, a prospective business owner can choose another name to register at the state level or use a different name that describes the business for the domain name and social media accounts.

Most businesses have an internet presence, even if they do not sell their goods and services online. The ultimate scenario is to have a domain name that is the same as the business name, that doesn’t always happen. Another individual or business might use the domain name – that person or entity could be in or out of state.

To determine whether a domain name is available, navigate to any of the domain registries, such as GoDaddy, and enter the business name.

Check if the social media name is available

Checking for social media name availability is as simple as entering the business name in the search box. As with the domain name, a business owner does not want a name that is too similar if the name is not available.

A business owner could choose a name that describes the business or a name that is similar, but not too similar, to the taken name.

Naming considerations for Arkansas business entities

Arkansas requires business owners to append certain phrases, words, or abbreviations based on entity type to the business name. If a business owner does not append the appropriate name extension, the Secretary of  State will reject the application.

Sole proprietorships and partnerships

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not have to register with the Arkansas Secretary of State; thus, they do not have a mandatory naming convention. However, if a sole proprietorship or a general partnership wishes to use a fictitious name (doing business as or DBA), the business must register the fictitious name with the Arkansas Secretary of State.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

Arkansas allows two types of limited liability companies. Both have separate naming conventions. If a business owner chooses to incorporate as a limited liability company, it must add one of the following to its name:

The business owner may also choose to abbreviate ‘limited’ as ‘Ltd.’ and ‘company’ as ‘Co.’

The second type of limited liability company is a professional limited liability company. Business owners who choose this entity type must add one of the following to the business name:

The business owner may also choose to abbreviate ‘limited’ as ‘Ltd.’ and ‘company’ as ‘Co.’

Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships

Arkansas has two types of limited partnerships. A regular limted partnership must use one of the following in its name:

A limited liability limited partnership must use one of the following:

The name extensions are not interchangeable.

Corporations

A corporation must contain one of the following in its name:

Nonprofit corporations use the same naming conventions.