Alabama LLC Name Reservation & Business Name Search: 3 Easy Steps (2026)

Published by TaxPills | By Malik Abdul Rehman

Before your LLC can legally exist in Alabama, you must complete one step that most other states do not require: the Alabama LLC Name Reservation. This process locks in your chosen business name and confirms it is available before you invest time and money into filing your formation documents.

The Alabama LLC Name Reservation is not optional — it is a mandatory part of the formation process. Filing it incorrectly, or skipping it entirely, will result in your Certificate of Formation being rejected. This guide walks you through every step of the Alabama LLC Name Reservation process clearly, so you can move forward with confidence.

Internal link: This is Step 1 of our complete How to Start an LLC in Alabama guide. Once your name is reserved, proceed to Alabama LLC Certificate of Formation to officially create your LLC.

What Is an Alabama LLC Name Reservation?

An Alabama LLC Name Reservation is an official filing with the Alabama Secretary of State that temporarily secures your desired business name while you prepare to form your LLC. It prevents another business from registering the same name during that period.

Alabama is one of a small number of states that requires this step before filing a Certificate of Formation. In most states, you can file your LLC formation documents without reserving your name first. In Alabama, however, the Name Reservation is a built-in part of the process.

Since 2021, when Alabama updated its LLC formation rules under Act 2020-73, you can now complete the Alabama LLC Name Reservation and Certificate of Formation together in a single online session. This is the most efficient approach for most business owners.

There are two scenarios where you would file the Alabama LLC Name Reservation separately:

You are not yet ready to form your LLC — you want to lock in your name now and file the Certificate of Formation later.
You are forming a Professional LLC (PLLC) — PLLCs must reserve names by mail and cannot use the online combined filing.

Alabama LLC Name Reservation: Costs and Timeline

Understanding the fees and processing times will help you plan your Alabama LLC Name Reservation efficiently.

Filing Method	Fee	Processing Time
Online filing	$28	Instant approval
Mail filing	$25	4–7 business days

The $3 difference between online and mail filing is minor. TaxPills recommends online filing in almost every case because of the immediate approval and digital record of your reservation certificate.

Important: Your Alabama LLC Name Reservation Certificate download link expires after 15 days. Download and save it immediately upon receiving the confirmation email. If you miss the window, you will need to pay $28 again to request a duplicate.

Step 1: Search Your Alabama LLC Name for Availability

The first step in the Alabama LLC Name Reservation process is confirming your desired name is available. Alabama requires every LLC name to be distinguishable from all other business entities registered in the state. If your chosen name is too similar to an existing business, your filing will be rejected.

How to Use the Alabama Business Entity Search

Visit the Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity Search tool and follow these guidelines:

In the Name field, enter the main words of your desired LLC name — omit “LLC” and any punctuation
Leave Type, Place of Formation, and Status set to “All Records”
Leave Principal City blank
Click Search

Search strategy tip: Run multiple searches. If your desired name is “Riverwalk Studios LLC,” first search “Riverwalk Studios,” then search just “Riverwalk.” This broader approach catches similar names you might otherwise miss.

How to Interpret the Alabama Business Entity Search Results

No results found: Your name is likely unique and available. Run a broader search to confirm.
Results that are clearly different from your name: Your name is most likely available, but review each result carefully.
Your exact name appears: Your name is unavailable. You must choose a different name.
A very similar name appears: Your name may be unavailable. When in doubt, call the Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Services Division at 334-242-5324 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Eastern) to confirm.

Alabama LLC Name Distinguishability Rules

Alabama has specific rules about what makes a business name “distinguishable” from existing names. The following differences do not make two names distinguishable under Section 10A-1-5.03 of the Alabama Code:

Different designators: If “Oakdale Consulting LLC” already exists, you cannot register “Oakdale Consulting Inc.” or “Oakdale Consulting L.L.C.” The entity type ending does not create a unique name.

Filler words: Adding articles or conjunctions (the, a, an, and, &, of) does not make your name unique. “The Oakdale Consulting LLC” is not distinguishable from “Oakdale Consulting LLC.”

Plural or possessive forms: Adding an “s” or an apostrophe does not create uniqueness. “Paulo’s Balloons LLC” and “Paulos Balloon LLC” are considered the same name.

Numbers vs. spelled-out numbers: “25 Stars LLC” and “Twenty-Five Stars LLC” are treated as identical names.

If your desired name is not available, you will need to modify it. Creative options include adding a descriptive word, changing word order, or choosing an entirely different name that better represents your brand.

Alabama LLC Name Requirements

Before filing your Alabama LLC Name Reservation, confirm that your desired name complies with Alabama’s official naming rules, as established by the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code.

Required Designators

Your Alabama LLC name must end with one of the following designators:

LLC
L.L.C.
Limited Liability Company

Most business owners choose “LLC” for simplicity. You are not required to use a comma before the designator — both “TaxPills LLC” and “TaxPills, LLC” are accepted by the Alabama Secretary of State.

Prohibited Designators

Your LLC name cannot include words that suggest your business is a corporation or any other entity type. The following are not permitted anywhere in your LLC name:

Inc. / Incorporated
Corp. / Corporation

Restricted Words Requiring Prior Approval

Alabama prohibits using certain words in your LLC name unless you have obtained prior written approval or the appropriate license from the relevant state authority. Words that require approval include:

Architect / Architecture
Engineer / Engineering
Doctor / Medical
Attorney / Law
Insurance
Bank / Banking
Trust

If your business operates in one of these licensed fields, you will likely be forming a Professional LLC (PLLC) rather than a standard LLC. PLLCs must include a copy of the relevant professional license when filing their Name Reservation by mail. Online filing is not available for PLLCs.

For the full list of restricted words, refer to the Name Reservation Request form available on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.

TaxPills Tip: If you already hold a trademark for your desired business name, you can use that trademarked name as your Alabama LLC name. After your LLC is formed, you may want to consider formally transferring (assigning) ownership of the trademark from yourself personally to the LLC to keep your intellectual property ownership properly structured.

Step 2: File Your Alabama LLC Name Reservation Online

Once you have confirmed your desired name is available and compliant, you are ready to file your Alabama LLC Name Reservation. TaxPills recommends the online method for most business owners.

Online Filing: Step-by-Step

1. Access the portal Go to the Alabama Secretary of State Online Services and navigate to the Name Reservation section. Click “Name Reservation” and then “Continue to Application.”

2. Enter your contact information Provide your name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. The email you enter here is where your Name Reservation Certificate will be sent. This contact information is kept private and does not appear in public records. Your address can be located anywhere in the U.S. — it does not need to be in Alabama.

3. Enter your desired LLC name In the Name Requested field, enter your full LLC name exactly as you want it registered, including your preferred capitalization and the “LLC” designator. The system will automatically check availability in real time.

4. Select entity details

Type of Reservation: Select “Domestic”
Type of Entity: Select “Limited Liability Company (LLC)”

Note: “Foreign LLC” refers to an LLC already formed in another state that wishes to register to do business in Alabama — not an LLC owned by a non-U.S. citizen. If you are starting a brand-new business, you are filing a Domestic LLC.

5. Choose your next step After confirming name availability, the system will ask how you want to proceed:

Select “Name Reservation Only” if you are not yet ready to file your Certificate of Formation.
Select “File of Formation Data” if you are ready to form your LLC now. This will take you directly into the Certificate of Formation filing — the most efficient path for most business owners. See our Alabama LLC Certificate of Formation guide for full instructions.

6. Complete the Requestor section Enter the details of the person filing the reservation (the Requestor). This is typically the business owner. Select “Individual” and enter your information, or copy it from the contact section if it matches.

7. Review and pay Review your Name Reservation filing for accuracy. Check your LLC name carefully for spelling errors. Once satisfied, check the confirmation box and proceed to payment. Pay $28 by credit or debit card. Billing information is private and not included in public records.

8. Download your certificate immediately Upon payment, your Alabama LLC Name Reservation will be approved instantly. You will receive an email with a download link within minutes. Download your Name Reservation Certificate right away — the link expires in 15 days. Save a digital copy and print at least one physical copy for your records.

Mail Filing: Step-by-Step

If you need to file by mail — for example, if you are forming a Professional LLC — follow these steps:

Download the Name Reservation Request form from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website
Complete the form on your computer (handwritten forms are not accepted)
Prepare a check or money order for $25 payable to “Secretary of State,” or include a completed Credit Card Authorization form
If forming a PLLC, include a copy of your professional license
Mail everything to: Secretary of State, Business Services, PO Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103

Mail processing takes 4–7 business days from receipt. Your approved Name Reservation Certificate will be returned by mail.

Step 3: Use Your Name Reservation to File Your Certificate of Formation

Once your Alabama LLC Name Reservation is approved, you have your Reservation ID Number. This ID links your reserved name to your Certificate of Formation filing.

If you filed the Name Reservation and Certificate of Formation together in one online session, this step is already done — your LLC is formed.

If you filed the Name Reservation separately, note your Reservation ID Number and keep it accessible. When you are ready to file your Certificate of Formation online, enter this ID number to connect your reserved name to your LLC filing. See our Alabama LLC Certificate of Formation guide for complete instructions on completing this step.

TaxPills Reminder: An Alabama LLC Name Reservation is valid for 1 year from the date of filing. If you do not file your Certificate of Formation within that period, your name reservation will expire and another business may register the same name.

What to Do If Your Alabama LLC Name Is Not Available

If your desired name is already taken or your filing is rejected due to a name conflict, do not panic. The state will notify you and explain the reason for rejection. You simply need to choose a new name and refile.

Here are practical strategies for finding an available, strong LLC name:

Add a location word: “Birmingham Tax Solutions LLC” vs. “Tax Solutions LLC”
Add a descriptive word: “Precision Accounting LLC” vs. “Accounting LLC”
Use a different word order: “Rehman Financial Group LLC” vs. “Financial Group Rehman LLC”
Consider a coined or unique word: Original words have the highest chance of availability and are easier to trademark

TaxPills Tip: Do not purchase a domain name, design a logo, or print business cards until your Alabama LLC Name Reservation is confirmed. Investing in branding before your name is secured wastes money if the name is unavailable.

Changing Your Alabama LLC Name Reservation

If you change your mind after filing a Name Reservation, you have options:

File a Correction: Submit a Correction to Name Certificate Request Form (available online or by mail) to update the reserved name. A small fee may apply depending on your original filing method.
Abandon and refile: Let your existing reservation lapse and file a new Name Reservation for your preferred name. You will pay the $28 filing fee again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama LLC Name Reservation

Is the Alabama LLC Name Reservation required? Yes. Unlike most states, Alabama requires every LLC to complete a Name Reservation before or during the Certificate of Formation filing. You cannot skip this step.

How long does an Alabama LLC Name Reservation last? An Alabama LLC Name Reservation is valid for one year from the date of filing. If you do not file your Certificate of Formation within that year, you will need to refile the Name Reservation.

Can I file the Name Reservation and Certificate of Formation at the same time? Yes — and TaxPills recommends this approach for most business owners. The Alabama Secretary of State’s online portal allows you to complete both filings in a single session, saving time and streamlining the process.

What if I miss the 15-day download window for my Name Reservation Certificate? You will need to file a Duplicate Name Reservation Certificate Request and pay $28 again. To avoid this, download and save your certificate immediately upon receiving the confirmation email.

Can I use my LLC name if it is similar to a business in another state? Yes — the Alabama Business Entity Search only checks names registered in Alabama. A business in Texas with a similar name does not affect your Alabama LLC Name Reservation. However, you should independently verify there are no federal trademark conflicts. Visit the USPTO Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to check for federal trademark registrations before committing to a name.

Can I use a trademarked name for my LLC? Yes, if you own the trademark. You can register your LLC under a name you have already trademarked. After formation, consider formally assigning the trademark from personal ownership to the LLC to maintain clean IP records. For trademark registration assistance, TaxPills offers a Trademark Registration service tailored to small business owners.

What is a DBA and does my Alabama LLC need one? A DBA (Doing Business As), called a Trade Name in Alabama, allows your LLC to operate under a different name than the one registered with the state. For example, “TaxPills LLC” could do business as “TaxPills Advisory.” A DBA is not required but may be useful if you want to market your business under a different name. DBAs are filed separately after your LLC is formed. Learn more in our Alabama DBA guide.

Can two businesses have similar names if one is an LLC and one is a corporation? No. Alabama’s distinguishability rules apply across all entity types. A different ending (LLC vs. Inc.) is not sufficient to make two names unique. If “Greenfield Solutions Inc.” exists, you cannot register “Greenfield Solutions LLC.”

What if my business name contains a restricted word like “Engineer” or “Insurance”? You must obtain prior written approval or the relevant professional license before using restricted words in your Alabama LLC name. In most cases, using restricted words means you are forming a Professional LLC (PLLC), which requires mail filing and a copy of your license.

Summary Checklist: Alabama LLC Name Reservation

Use this checklist to stay on track:

Run a search on the Alabama Business Entity Search to confirm name availability
Run a broader partial-word search to catch similar names
Confirm your LLC name ends with “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company”
Confirm your name does not include restricted words without prior approval
Check the USPTO Trademark Database for federal trademark conflicts
File your Alabama LLC Name Reservation online ($28) or by mail ($25)
Download your Name Reservation Certificate within 15 days of approval
Note your Reservation ID Number for use in your Certificate of Formation
Proceed to Alabama LLC Certificate of Formation to complete your LLC formation

Need Help With Your Alabama LLC Name Reservation?

At TaxPills, we assist entrepreneurs, freelancers, and foreign-owned businesses with every step of the LLC formation process — from name searches and reservations to tax compliance and annual filings. If you are unsure whether your desired name is available, conflicts with an existing trademark, or requires special approval, our team can review and advise before you file.

Contact TaxPills today and let us handle the details while you focus on growing your business.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Requirements, fees, and procedures are subject to change. TaxPills recommends consulting a qualified tax or legal professional for advice specific to your situation.