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Whether you’re searching for the right business name or registering your LLC with the Kentucky Secretary of State (KY SOS), we can help. We’ve got all the information you need on conducting a Kentucky business search, LLC naming rules, assumed names and how to register your business.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, regardless of which state they're formed in.
Your LLC Name Must Be Unique
The business name you've chosen cannot be used by any other LLC or corporation in the State of Kentucky. This is why it's imperative to perform a KY SOS business search before you begin the filing process.
Your LLC Name Must Not Be Confusable With Another Business Name
It’s not enough for your LLC name to be unique. It also cannot be similar to the name of a corporation or LLC in Kentucky. In addition, you cannot use the following factors to say your name is different from the name of another business:
- Suffixes, such as Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., LLC, etc.
- Definite articles, such as “A,” “An,” or “The.”
- The conjunction "And," or “&."
- The singular, plural or possessive forms of wordsAbbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
Your LLC Name Must Contain Certain Words
All LLCs must have the words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in their names, normally at the end of the name.
Your LLC Name May Have Other General Restrictions
Most states will not allow you to form LLCs with names that:
- Are very similar to the name of a federal or state agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, Kentucky Treasurer, Kentucky Police, Department of Revenue, etc.)
- Suggest affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
- Use the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee
- Imply a purpose that would be illegal for your business to carry out
Specific Rules for Kentucky Business Names
In addition to the general rules listed above, Kentucky has some specific business naming guidelines. You’ll need to follow these rules if you want to name your KY business appropriately. Here is an excerpt:
Accepted Characters of Print: A business entity name may contain only the following types of letters, numbers, and other typographical figures and symbols:
- Letters of the English alphabet, with no distinction made by the Secretary of State's Office as to upper case, lower case, typeface, or font.
- Arabic numerals, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0.
- Roman numeral characters, i.e., I, V., X, L, C, D, M.
- Symbols capable of being reproduced and recorded by the Secretary of State's Office, its record-keeping computer hardware and software: ! @ # % > & * ( ) - + " ' : ; / ?
How to Come Up with a Business Name
Finding the perfect business name can be tricky. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but basically, you'll want to choose a name that will:
- Appeal to your customers
- Be memorable enough to stand out
- Best represent your product or services
- Not be used by another business
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free Business Name Generator.
Kentucky Business Search
Once you have an idea of the business name you’d like to use, you’ll need to perform a KY Secretary of State business search to make sure another business isn't already using that name.
Bizee offers a fast, simple and convenient tool to look up your proposed business name. The KY SOS also has a tool that allows you to search the Kentucky business registry to see whether someone has claimed your desired business name.
Find Out Whether Your Preferred Business Name is Available in Kentucky With Bizee’s Free Tool
Check Your LLC Name
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Kentucky LLC name doesn’t infringe on the trademark or service mark of another business. The easiest way to make sure your proposed business name doesn’t do that is to complete a trademark search through Bizee. If no one else is using it, you can even register it as a trademark yourself.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Let Bizee run a trademark search for you.
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Kentucky DBA or Assumed Name
You may do business under a different name from your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as), trade name or fictitious name. In Kentucky, it’s known as an assumed name. You may decide to use an assumed name for a variety of reasons.
For example, your LLC might be called Kentucky Liquor Holding Company, LLC, and your main product is called Bluegrass Bourbon. You could file for an assumed name just for that product. In Kentucky, you'd do that with the Certificate of Assumed Name form. You’re also required to file a copy of the form with the county clerk where the LLC is located. Or you can simply have Bizee do it on your behalf through our Assumed Name service.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register and Manage an Assumed Name Through Bizee’s Easy-To-Use DBA Service
Get a DBA or Assumed Name
Register Your Business Name With the Kentucky Secretary of State
Once you’ve completed a Kentucky business entity search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need an assumed name, you can register your LLC name. There are a couple of ways to do this.
- If you don’t want to form your LLC right now, you can reserve the business name. You’ll need to complete a Reservation or Renewal of Reserved Name form and file it with the KY SOS. Once you do so, your name will be reserved for 120 days. You don’t need to reserve a name if you’re forming your business right away.
- If you’re ready to start your LLC, you can file your Articles of Organization with the KY SOS, or have Bizee do it for you.
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Kentucky for You — and We’ll Do It for Free!
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FAQs About Kentucky Business Names
How Do I Search for My Kentucky Business Name?
Use our free Business Name Search tool and enter your proposed business name. You can also perform a Kentucky Secretary of State search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether any corporations or LLCs in the state are using that name.
Are There Any Rules for Naming My Business in Kentucky?
Yes. Most LLCs will be bound by general rules (applicable to all LLCs) and specific rules (applicable in the State of Kentucky). You'll find more information above.
Can I Do Business Under a Different Name Than My LLC Name in Kentucky?
Yes. You can conduct business under an assumed name. Details are above.
Can I Reserve a Name for My Kentucky LLC?
Yes. The KY SOS allows you to reserve a name if you don’t want to start your business immediately. Details are above. If you’re ready to start your business now, you don’t need to reserve a name.
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