How to Do a Delaware Business Name Search

When starting a business in Delaware, you must follow several steps.

The first is choosing an available business name that complies with the state’s naming regulations.

Once you have a name, you can register it as a trademark to prevent another business from using it and buy the domain to create your brand’s online identity. 

By taking these 3 steps, you’ll secure your LLC’s intellectual property and set a strong foundation to form an LLC in Delaware. 

Why do you need to do a business entity search?

You do a secretary of state business entity search in that state to confirm another business hasn’t already registered your chosen name with the Delaware Department of State.

You can also use an entity search to find information about an existing business entity, and we’ll look at that in this post.

But first, let’s look at the naming guidelines to ensure the Delaware Division of Corporations accepts your application. 

Delaware naming guidelines

Your desired business name must comply with the Delaware naming guidelines, which include name availability, mandatory inclusions, and name restrictions.

You can find more information on the Division of Corporations website; below are the key points:

• LLC name availability: Your name must be available and distinguishable from every name on the Division of Corporations’ records.
• Mandatory Inclusions: Your name must contain the words Limited Liability Company or an abbreviation, like LLC or L.L.C.
• Your LLC name cannot mislead: “Bank” is restricted unless you’re a regulated bank. Names that mislead or imply a government connection may be rejected.
• Mandatory exclusions: You cannot use racist, lewd, or any terms the Delaware Secretary of State considers objectionable.

Now that you know the guidelines, let’s look at how you do a business entity search in Delaware.

Conducting a business name search in Delaware: Step-by-step guide with tips

Before registering your new LLC name with the Delaware Division of Corporations, here are some tips on using the website:

• Single-word searches provide the broadest search results,
• Search is not case-sensitive; all letters are treated as uppercase.
• Do not remove or add any spaces to your chosen name.
• The search does not display punctuation marks, so don’t use them.
• If searching for an LLC using a file number (if you don’t know the name), only enter the relevant digits.

Okay, next are the steps you must follow when using the Delaware entity search tool:

1. Visit the Department of State entity search page

Go to the Division of Corporations’ entity search page, shown below.

2. Conduct the entity search

Type the name you want to use in the “entity name” box and press search.

You can also perform a Delaware LLC search if you specifically want to verify an existing LLC’s registration, check its status, or confirm its formation date and registered agent.

I’ll use the name “Food for Thought” as our example:

3. Review the results

If the name (or one similar) is registered, it will show in the entity name search results. 

If your search name returns no results, the site will display “No Records Found.”

If, however, like my example (Food for Thought), it does, click on the business name closest to your search name, and the following information will appear:

Here, you will see the following information about the business name: 

• Entity file number: A unique 7-digit entity identification number issued by Delaware state.
• Entity name: The registered or legal name of the business.
• Entity kind: This could be an LLC, corporation, or other entity type.
• Formation date: Date of formation or incorporation.
• Registered agent’s information: The business’s nominated registered agent’s name and contact information.

Advanced search

You can pay for more details about a registered business: its status costs $10, and its status, tax and filing history costs $20. 

The status report from the Delaware Division of Corporations isn’t a Certificate of Good Standing, which you order separately for $50. 

Note:

Active means the entity exists on the Division’s records; an inactive business is not trading.

However, most states won’t allow you to register the same name as an inactive entity, as it’s still registered as an on-record entity. 

Determine name availability

Say your search shows no results; in that case, great, your name is most likely available. 

However, the Division of Corporations makes the final decision, but if you adhere to the Delaware naming guidelines, everything should be fine. 

Using a DBA

A Doing Business As (DBA) is a fictitious name you can use for your LLC other than its registered business name. 

Sole proprietorships and other non-legal entities can also use a DBA instead of their personal names. 

Take the following steps to use a DBA in Delaware:

• Use the Division of Revenue’s trade name search to ensure your chosen DBA is available.
• Register your DBA online through Delaware One Stop.

Since February 2, 2026, DBAs are registered statewide with the Delaware Division of Revenue. The Delaware DBA filing fee is $25 for one statewide registration.

Delaware Secretary of State’s contact information

If you have questions about conducting a business name search in Delaware or registering your name, you can contact the Delaware Division of Corporations department. 

How to contact the Delaware Secretary of State office:

• Website: corp.delaware.gov.
• Regular Mail: Division of Corporations, P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903.
• Express Mail: Division of Corporations, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901.
• Phone: (302) 739-3073
• Email: [email protected]

What can you do once you have an available business name?

Once you confirm your new business name is available in Delaware, you can complete the reservation process, check its availability as a trademark, and buy the domain.

Consider name reservation

If your new name is available, but if you’re not ready to start your LLC, no problem, as you can reserve it for 120 days.

How to reserve your business name in Delaware: 

1. Visit the Delaware Division of Corporations Name Reservation webpage.  
2. Reserve your name online right away (card or ACH) through the Division’s name reservation service for $75.
3. Or download the LLC name reservation request form.
4. If you file by mail, fill it in, include the $75 fee, and send it to the below address.

Delaware Division of Corporations

P.O. Box 898

Dover, DE 19903

Consider trademarking your name

Trademarking your new name stops other businesses from using it in the United States. 

Additionally, sole proprietorships and general partnerships aren’t required to register a business name with the Delaware Secretary of State, so when using the entity name search tool, their names won’t appear. Nor does registering your name with the Delaware Secretary of State prohibit them from using it but a trademark does.

Consider applying for a trademark using the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s online database to ensure your new name is uniquely available and prevent others from using it.

Consider domain registration

Your last step in securing your business’s intellectual property is buying a domain that’s the same as your business name, and if that’s not available, choosing a domain that suits your brand and engages your target audience’s imagination. 

A domain tool like the one we offer can help you check if your new business name is available as a domain. 

Conclusion

Now is a great time to start an LLC in Delaware.

Remember, your new LLC name is how your customers will identify your business, so it must be unique, brand-appropriate, and comply with Delaware naming requirements.  

Once you tick those boxes, your next step is to form your Delaware LLC.

FAQ