District of Columbia business search
District of Columbia's official business search is BOSS Entity Search, run by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. It's free, and you can search by name, file number or trade name.
Search District of Columbia recordsHow to check if a name is taken in District of Columbia
- Type the main words of the name into the search. Leave off endings like LLC or Inc.
- Look for exact matches and close ones. States usually refuse a name that only differs by punctuation, spacing or the ending.
- If nothing close comes up, run a free trademark search. A state accepting your name doesn't give you the right to use it as a brand.
LLC name endings in District of Columbia
An LLC's name has to end with one of these: LLC, LC, L.C., L.L.C., Limited Company, Limited Liability Company.
Once the name is clear
District of Columbia charges $99 to form an LLC and $99 to form a corporation. See how to start an LLC in District of Columbia, or a District of Columbia DBA if you only need a trade name.
District of Columbia business search questions
Is the District of Columbia business search free?
Yes. The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection doesn't charge to search its records.
Does searching reserve a name in District of Columbia?
No. A search only shows what's on record today. The name is yours once your filing is accepted, and most states also let you pay to hold a name for a set time.
Can I see who owns a District of Columbia LLC?
The record shows what District of Columbia requires a company to file, which is often its registered agent and sometimes its managers or members. Many states don't list owners at all.