How To Do A Indiana Business Name Search

If you are forming an LLC or a corporation in Indiana, the first thing you need to do is a business name search.  This search checks all the registered business entities in the state to see if the business name you want to use is available. Like most other states, Indiana requires each LLC or corporation registered in the state to have a unique business name.  So, before starting your business, it’s important to run a business entity search to verify if the name is available through the Indiana Secretary of State before registering your LLC or Corporation.  There is no fee to search.

Also See: Guide to Starting a Business in Indiana

Steps For Searching Corporation and LLC Names In Indiana

Step 1: Visit the Indiana Entity Name Database

Go visit the Indiana Secretary of State website.

Step 2: Search your Business Name

Enter the name you would like to use in the “Entity Name” field.  In this example, we will look up “Pool Doctor.”

The word “The” for “Pool Doctor” isn’t considered unique.

Searching the registered names, we get a list of all the businesses with the words “Pool Doctor.”  To be able to register a corporation or LLC name in Indiana, the name must be distinguishable from the other names registered.

Pay attention to the far right column, “Status.” If there is a business name that you would like to use, but the status is “Admin Dissolved,” you may be able to register it.

If you were looking to form an LLC with this name, you wouldn’t be able to since there is already one registered. To find more information about each of the registered business names, click on the link in the “Business ID” column.  In this example, we will look up “The Pool Doctor, LLC.”

Clicking on the last link for “The Pool Doctor, LLC” will show a detailed report.

While the name “The Pool Doctor” may not be available, other variants could be something like “The Doctor of Pools.”  Searching for this business name brings a result that says, “No data found.”  While final approval is still with the Secretary of State, it is likely available to register. 

These are the basics of searching for a business name in Indiana.  Even when the name of the business you want is available, the Secretary of State will make a final determination at the time of filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names.

What information can be found on the Indiana business entity database?

The business name database search can find several pieces of information about the business. Some of the highlights include:

• Business Name
• Entity type – Corporation, Limited Liability Company. Etc.
• Creation Date – Date the entity was filed with the Secretary of State
• Principal Office Address – This could be the business’s physical address or an address where business records are stored.
• Business Status – Active means the business entity is in good standing with the state, and all reports and filing fees are up to date
• Expiration Date – Some entities will have a pre-determined end date (typically investment-related businesses). A “Perpetual” listing means the business intends to operate forever.
• Principal Information – Title, name, and address of the members/shareholders.
• Registered Agent’s information – A Registered Agent is the singular point of contact for the entity should a legal, or tax notice need to be sent to the business.  This is often one of the owners, and if their home address is used, that address becomes public information.  Many people find this concerning and use a Registered Agent service like Northwest Registered Agent, so their home address isn’t listed.  
• Names of the officers and their title

Something to keep in mind is that even though each Corporation and LLC name must be unique, it may not stop someone else from using that name since business names for a sole proprietorship or partnership are not registered by the Secretary of State and are not required to be unique.  To protect your business name, consider getting a trademark.

Related: Should I trademark my business name?