Illinois business search
Illinois's official business search is Business Entity Search, run by the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services. It's free, and you can search by name, file number, agent or officer.
Search Illinois recordsHow to check if a name is taken in Illinois
- 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 Illinois
An LLC's name has to end with one of these: LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company.
Once the name is clear
Illinois charges $150 to form an LLC and $150 to form a corporation. See how to start an LLC in Illinois, or a Illinois DBA if you only need a trade name.
Illinois business search questions
Is the Illinois business search free?
Yes. The Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services doesn't charge to search its records.
Does searching reserve a name in Illinois?
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 Illinois LLC?
The record shows what Illinois 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.