How to Look Up an LLC in Kentucky (2026)
To look up an LLC in Kentucky, start with the Business Entity Search. It's on the Kentucky Secretary of State's website. Search by business name or organization number, by city or by zip code. The search itself is free.
Checking for trademark conflicts means searching two different tools. One is a federal database. The other is Kentucky's own state-level tool. A clean result at the state level doesn't rule out a federal conflict. Checking both matters before you settle on a name.
This guide walks through every search method. You'll learn what a result actually shows. You'll also learn who to call when the tool can't answer your question.
Quick Summary
- Three search filters cover it: business name or organization number, city or zip code, all inside one search tool.
- Small businesses make up 99.3% of all Kentucky businesses. That's per the SBA's 2025 state profile [1].
- Call the Business Services Division directly whenever the online tool can't answer your question.
| Search Method | What to Enter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Business name or organization number | The company name, or the Secretary of State's assigned Organization Number | General lookups by name, or an exact match when you already have the number |
| City name | The city of the principal office | Seeing every registered business in one city |
| Zip code | The zip code of the principal office | Seeing every registered business in one zip code area |
How to Search for an LLC in Kentucky
The Secretary of State runs Kentucky's Business Entity Search. It's the official tool for finding LLC filings and other business records in the state.
Kentucky Secretary of State's Business Entity Search
Open the Business Entity Search tool, then choose your search type. Options are business name or organization number, the city of the principal office or its zip code. Uncheck "active entities only" if dissolved or inactive businesses should show up too.
To search for an LLC in Kentucky:
- Open the Business Entity Search tool and choose Business Name/Organization Number, City Name or Zip Codes.
- Enter the name, number, city or zip you're checking.
- Review the results list, then open the specific entity for its full profile.
- Read the profile for filing status, registered agent, principal address and filing history.
A name search fits when you only know roughly what a company is called. If you already have the organization number from a filing instead, enter it directly.
City and zip searches work differently. They surface businesses registered in one place. That helps with researching local competitors. It also helps when evaluating registered agent services in Kentucky.
Contact the Division or Reserve a Name
For anything the search tool can't answer, the Business Services Division takes calls during business hours. A representative can help interpret a search result. Or they can work through a filing question with you.
- Phone: (502) 564-3490
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
- Written requests: use the office's Send an Email form
Before you call, write down the business name or organization number. Add the city and zip too. Include them if that's part of your search.
Reserve the Name You Found
Once you confirm a name is free, you can lock it in. Do this before you file the LLC's paperwork.
File the Reservation or Renewal of Reserved Name form by mail or in person. There's a $15 fee. Kentucky holds the name for 120 days under KRS 14A.3-020 [2].
How to Check for Trademark Conflicts in Kentucky
A clean result in Kentucky's Business Entity Search doesn't guarantee a name is free to use nationally. A trademark conflict elsewhere can still force a rebrand down the road.
1. Federal Trademark Search
The USPTO's Trademark Search tool covers registered and pending marks nationwide. A federal registration blocks conflicting use across the country. That matters even if you only plan to operate in Kentucky.
To run a federal trademark search:
- Search the USPTO database by keyword, owner name or serial number.
- Run a few variations, including names that sound alike, to catch close matches.
- Call the USPTO's Trademark Assistance Center at (800) 786-9199 if you need help reading a result.
2. Kentucky Trademark Search
Kentucky keeps its own trademark and service mark database. It's separate from the federal one. A state registration only protects a mark inside Kentucky. It stays active for five years. After that, it needs to be renewed.
Reasons to Run a Kentucky LLC Search
A search confirms the name is available before you start an LLC in Kentucky. It also answers a few other questions worth checking first.
- Confirm the entity type: see whether it's an LLC, a corporation or something else. Check before you assume.
- Check filing status: a search shows whether the business is still active. Confirm that before you sign a contract or partner with it.
- Pull the registered agent: useful when you need to reach an agent. It also helps when you're comparing formation services.
- Research the competition: knowing what's already registered nearby helps you think through positioning. It's useful before launch.
Already have a Kentucky LLC and need to shut it down instead? Our guide to dissolving a Kentucky LLC walks through that process. Our Kentucky LLC formation services comparison covers the providers if you're starting fresh instead.
For a company registered outside Kentucky, a different guide applies. Our guide to looking up an LLC covers the same steps state by state.
FAQs
Does Searching Kentucky's Business Records Cost Anything?
No. Searching Kentucky's Business Entity Search by name, number, city or zip code costs nothing online. Fees only apply once you file a document or request a certificate.
How Do I File an Assumed Name in Kentucky?
File a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Kentucky Secretary of State for a $20 fee. The same $20 fee covers an amendment, withdrawal or renewal of an assumed name filing.
Can I Renew My LLC Name Reservation in Kentucky?
Yes. Renew your reservation during the 30 days right before the current 120-day hold expires, and Kentucky extends it another 120 days. Miss that window and the reservation simply lapses.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kentucky_2025-State-Profile.pdf
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=36546
