Washington business search
Washington's official business search is Advanced Business Search, run by the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division. It's free, and you can search by name, agent or officer.
Search Washington recordsHow to check if a name is taken in Washington
- 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 Washington
An LLC's name has to end with one of these: LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Co., Limited Liability Company.
Once the name is clear
Washington charges $180 to form an LLC and $180 to form a corporation. See how to start an LLC in Washington, or a Washington DBA if you only need a trade name.
Washington business search questions
Is the Washington business search free?
Yes. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations Division doesn't charge to search its records.
Does searching reserve a name in Washington?
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 Washington LLC?
The record shows what Washington 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.