How to Look Up an LLC in Louisiana? (In a Few Easy Steps)
If you plan to start a business in Louisiana and want to confirm your preferred LLC name is available or find a specific company, you can run an LLC name search.
Our team at Venture Smarter has hands-on experience walking entrepreneurs through Louisiana's LLC formation process and helping them use the state's business search tools.
Using that practical experience and input from legal advisors in Louisiana, we'll walk you through the most efficient way to search for LLC names in the state.
Quick Summary
- To look up an LLC in Louisiana, visit the Secretary of State's website and utilize the search tool for available names, including options by business name, charter number, or registered agent.
- You can also search using an LLC by calling or emailing the Secretary of State's website.
- According to the 2023 annual report by the Louisiana Secretary of State, the business search tool processed over 50,000 searches, which shows how well it works for state-level business and trademark searches.
- In my experience, running an LLC lookup is the best way to confirm a business name is available before you run into legal trouble.
How Do I Look Up an LLC in Louisiana?
To look up an LLC in Louisiana, you can use the search tool available on the state's website. All businesses registered in the state are contained in the platform.
The state offers several ways to run your search so you can find the information you need on any LLC registered there.
These methods include:
1. Using the Secretary of State's Website
The Secretary of State's website is the primary resource for conducting an LLC search in Louisiana.
Here's how you can utilize this tool effectively:
- Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State's website and navigate to the "Business Services" tab.
- Select "Search Business Filings" from the available options.
- Choose the criteria to search the LLC on the Business Entity Search page. You can search by "Entity Name," "Charter Number," or "Agent Name."
- Click the search button or press enter to initiate the search.
- Review the search results. If your desired business name appears in the results, you'll want to verify the entity's status and registration details to ensure you have the correct LLC information.
- If you want to check whether a name is available for a new LLC, no results usually means the name is free to use. Still, confirm with the Secretary of State before you file.
Running this business name search lets you collect information about existing LLCs in Louisiana, confirm entity details, and find out if a name is open for your business.
You can perform an LLC search on the Secretary of State's website by:
a. Search by Business Names
This is the most common way to find LLCs in Louisiana. Enter the name of the business you want in the search bar on Louisiana's business entity search website.
Once you locate the desired LLC, click the "Details" button to access more information about the company.
b. Search by Charter Number/Trade Registration Number/Reservation Number
If you have the business's charter number, trade registration number, or reservation number, use the search function on the Secretary of State's commercial search page.
Enter the relevant reservation number and navigate to find the specific LLC you want.
c. Search by Registered Agent
Another way to look up an LLC in Louisiana is by searching for a Louisiana registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or business that agrees to receive legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
On the Secretary of State's website, click the "Registered Agent" tab on the commercial search webpage.
From there, you can search for the desired registered agent and access further details by clicking the "Details" button.
Using these different search options helps you find the information you need about an LLC in Louisiana.
2. Call the State
Calling the Louisiana Secretary of State's office directly can get you quick answers or guidance on how to run an LLC search.
To inquire about LLC searches or any related matter, call the Louisiana Secretary of State's office at +1 (225) 925-4704.
This works best when you need real-time help or have specific questions that online resources don't answer well.
3. Send an Email
Emailing the Secretary of State's office is a good way to get detailed information about an LLC, especially if you need documents or have questions that call for thorough responses.
For detailed inquiries, send your questions to the Business Services division at business_services@sos.la.gov.
Include as much detail as you can about your question so the office can give you a complete response.
Use this method for non-urgent questions so staff have enough time to pull together the right information.
4. Research Domain Name Availability
As part of your LLC research, check whether the company has locked in its web domain. You can check for domain availability using registrars like Namecheap, or Google Domains. Enter the LLC's name followed by common extensions like .com, .net, or .org.
This can tell you:
- Whether the LLC has an online presence
- Potential trademark or branding conflicts
- The company's digital footprint
An active website domain often points to a more established business, which is worth knowing when you're sizing up potential partners or competitors.
Note: The LLC might operate under a different web address or have registered multiple domain variations for brand protection.
5. Other Business Entity Search Alternatives
Shash's article from 2Stallions points out that social media platforms and search engines are important gateways for finding information online efficiently [1].
According to the article, businesses using these tools have seen a big jump in engagement, with social media driving up to 30% of website traffic and boosting digital visibility.
Beyond the official state resources, five other methods can help you search for an LLC in Louisiana:
- Social Media Platforms: Many businesses have profiles that can provide insights into the company's operations and legitimacy.
- Search Engines: A simple Google search can reveal much about an LLC, including news articles, reviews, and official websites.
- Business Directories: Websites like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, and industry-specific directories can offer information and reviews on LLCs.
- Legal Databases: Platforms like LexisNexis or Westlaw can provide legal information on LLCs, including litigation history.
- Networking Sites: LinkedIn and other professional networking sites can offer information on the company's executives and business activities.
"In Louisiana, once the 120-day name reservation period expires, you cannot reserve the same name again, so ensure your business can launch within that timeframe before reserving."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
How to Check If A Business Name Is Trademarked in Louisiana?
To check whether a business name is trademarked in Louisiana, search the USPTO website. That search will show if the name is federally trademarked.
Checking with the Louisiana Secretary of State can also help you identify state-level trademarks.
Here's how to proceed:
1. Use the Federal Trademark Search (US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Website)
Start by visiting the USPTO's official website and using the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS).
The database holds all registered trademarks and pending applications at the federal level.
A search here tells you whether the name you want or something close to it is already trademarked, which could create legal problems or get your application rejected.
2. State-Level Trademark Search
For state-level trademarks, check with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Louisiana has resources for searching business entities and registered trademarks within the state.
Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State's business search page. This search primarily identifies business entities rather than trademarks.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State's annual report, the business search tool handled over 50,000 searches in 2024, which shows how much people rely on it for state-level business registrations and trademark inquiries.
But make sure no other business is already using your preferred name in a similar way, because that can cause trademark conflicts too.
3. Consultation with a Trademark Attorney
Trademark law has a lot of moving parts and state and federal registrations can overlap, so talking to a trademark attorney can save you time and point you in the right direction.
An attorney can walk you through the search process, read the results for you, and tell you how likely your trademark application is to succeed.
Reasons to Perform a Search
The main reason to look up an LLC in Louisiana is to find out whether the business name you want is available.
You can also lookup an LLC to:
- Verify the legal status of an LLC.
- Gather information about the LLC's registered agent.
- Understand the business's history and compliance status.
- Check for any potential legal issues or litigation.
- Conduct due diligence before making business decisions.
- Assess the competition within a specific industry.
- Check a business before completing a deal to ensure transparency and trust.
Related Articles:
- How to Close an LLC in Louisiana
- How Long Does It Take To Create an LLC in Louisiana
- Best Louisiana LLC Formation Services
- How Much Does an LLC Cost in Louisiana
FAQs
Can an LLC Name Be Reserved in Louisiana?
An LLC name can be reserved in Louisiana by filing the Application for Name Reservation with the Secretary of State. The name Conducting a Louisiana LLC name search is a crucial step in ensuring your business name is available and compliant with state requirements.be available for other business entities or individuals for 60 days.
What Are the Naming Requirements for an LLC in Louisiana?
The naming requirements for an LLC in Louisiana include a distinguishable name, not including restricted words without proper paperwork, and ending with "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC."
Can I Check the Availability of a Domain Name for My LLC?
Yes, you can check the availability of a domain name for your LLC using domain name search tools like GoDaddy. The check ensures your desired website name is available.
Running a Louisiana LLC name search is a necessary step to confirm your business name is available and meets state requirements. We hope thCollapse Allis guide helps you work through Louisiana's business database and land the right name for your LLC.
References:
- https://2stallions.com/blog/social-media-and-search-engines-where-to-spend-your-resources/
