Do you have the perfect name idea for a new business entity in the state of Louisiana, but you’re not quite ready to form your company?
Louisiana allows you to reserve a business name until you’re prepared for the business formation process, but how does the reservation process work and how long will the state reserve the name for you? In this guide, we’ll run down all the important details of reserving a business name in Louisiana.
Rocket Tip: If you’d rather officially incorporate in Louisiana rather than file the extra paperwork to register a business name, there are many good incorporation services that can do it for you.
How to Reserve a Business Name in Louisiana
The first step is to determine if your desired business name is even available in Louisiana to begin with. To do this, simply navigate to the Louisiana business entity search tool and type in your desired name. If there are no existing businesses listed with your name, you can proceed with your name reservation. You can also contact the Secretary of State’s office to inquire about your name’s availability. For more information, consult this link. Once you’ve determined the availability of your desired name, you can begin the process of reserving it with the state.
In order to reserve your business name, you will need to file the Reservation of Name form with the Secretary of State. It is very easy to fill out and only requires the following information: Commercial Division P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
Once you have provided this information, you must write a check for $25 made payable to the “Secretary of State.” Then, you can mail the form and the check to the following address:
How Long Is My Business Name Reserved For?
Louisiana name reservations last for 120 days. If you need more time to form your business, you can contact the Secretary of State’s office to extend the name reservation.
Conclusion
Just because you aren’t ready to form your Louisiana business entity doesn’t mean you can’t lock down your desired business name.
It is very easy to reserve a business name in Louisiana. There is very little paperwork to fill out and the fees are reasonable. So, if you have a business name in mind but are not ready to form your business yet, you should definitely reserve your name today.