If you're looking to start a business in Hawaii, you'll need to know how to look up an LLC. This guide will show you where to find information about LLCs in Hawaii. There are many reasons why someone might want to look up an LLC.
Perhaps you're considering starting a business and want to research your options. Or maybe you're curious about a company doing business in Hawaii. With this guide, you'll be able to find the information you need quickly and easily.
How to Conduct a Hawaii Business Name Search?
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website is the place to start your business entity search. All LLCs in Hawaii are required to register with this department. The website includes a searchable database of all registered businesses in Hawaii.
You can search for companies by name, and the search results will show you:
- Record Type (trade name, entity, cross reference)
- File Number (unique number every company has)
- Status (active, expired, terminated, involuntarily dissolved)
The website also includes a list of all the entities registered with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
These include sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, and non-profit organizations. Each type of entity has its own set of rules and regulations.
Information for Hawaii LLC Look Up
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division has a Business Search feature on its website that lets you look up businesses registered in Hawaii.
You can search the desired Hawaii business by its business name. The results will show the business's entity type, status, registration date, and expiration date. If the company is an LLC, the results will also show the LLC's filing number and registered agent information.
If you are looking for more detailed information about a Hawaii LLC, you can request a Certificate of Good Standing from the DCCA.
The Certificate of Good Standing will show whether the LLC is in good standing with the state of Hawaii if it exists and has filed all the necessary documentation thus far.
Hawaii LLC search Options
If you're looking for information on a Hawaii business entity, there are a few different ways to go about it.
The state of Hawaii has an online business entity search tool that you can use to look up Hawaii businesses by name and other business entities registered in the state.
Another option is to contact the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the state agency responsible for LLC registration.
They can provide you with information on LLCs registered in Hawaii and help you with any questions you may have about the process.
Lastly, you can always hire a professional research service to conduct a search for you.
This way of doing a Hawaii business entity search is often the most comprehensive and efficient way to get the information you need, as they will have access to databases and resources that the average person does not.
Prior to hearing back from the Business Registration Division, never presume the name is available.
What to do next?
Verify the availability of the domain name.
You can do this by visiting a website such as Namechk and GoDaddy. If the domain name is available, you can purchase it and proceed to the next step. If the domain name is unavailable, you will need to get a bit more creative and choose another LLC name for your Hawaii business.
The most well-known domain extension is .com, but as the internet develops, other extensions—like.co,.net, and. io—are also becoming more popular and may make sense once a business name has been decided upon.
Verify the availability of the social media name.
If you're planning on using social media to promote your LLC, you'll want to ensure the name is available on all the major platforms. You can quickly search each platform to see if the username is available. If it's not, try variations until you find one available.
Register your LLC
Once you've chosen your LLC name, you'll need to register it with the state of Hawaii. The process is relatively simple and can be done online. You'll need to provide some basic information about your LLC. the information you will need to provide is: the names of the members, the registered address, and the purpose of the LLC.
Obtain an EIN from the IRS
For tax reasons, a firm is identified by its nine-digit Employer Identification Number(EIN). It can be compared to a social security number for businesses. A limited liability corporation (LLC) can easily and quickly file for an EIN online.
Open a bank business account
Once you obtain your EIN, you can open a business bank account for your Hawaii business. For LLCs to maintain their liability protection, separate bank accounts are required.
FAQs
Can I Reserve a Business Name in Hawaii?
Hawaii's Secretary of State's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division handles all LLC naming inquiries and requests. Your desired business name can be reserved for 120 days. To avoid being rejected, make sure to conduct a thorough search before submitting your application.
Hawaii application for reservation of name fee depends on how you file it. If you fill out an online application on the Hawaii Business Express website, the filing fee is $7.50. However, if you decide to mail it in, it will cost $10.
Should I File a Trademark?
With a trademark, business owners have legal protection for their brand. A trademark is what sets your business entity apart from your competitors. It also sends a strong message to customers and competitors that you run a serious business.
Make sure to conduct a trademark search if you want to register a trademark.
What Are the Business Entity Name Requirements?
Your Hawaii business name must be distinctive; make sure you do a Hawaii business entity search and check no one else has that name. The Hawaii business name shouldn't now contain any words that would get it confused with another agency or business entity.
Your LLC's name cannot contain any words that could be mistaken for those of a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.). When using restricted terms in your LLC, such as "bank," "attorney," or "university," you might need to submit more paperwork and hire a licensed professional, such as a doctor or lawyer.
Should My Hawaii Business Have a Dba?
Doing business as (DBA) or trade names are fictitious names companies use to conduct operations outside of the official LLC name. A DBA allows the business owner to grow their business beyond their original scope without creating a new business entity.
Hawaii LLC Lookup: Final Word
So if you're looking to start a business in Hawaii, the process is relatively simple and can be done online.
The Business Registration Division's website has a helpful Business Entity Search tool that will give you all the information you need to start an LLC in Hawaii, including whether the name is taken and contact information for the company.
However, if you need more detailed legal or tax advice, it's best to consult with an attorney. Thanks for reading, and we hope this article was helpful!
