The first step is to choose a name for your LLC. Florida law does set some limits on what you can choose from, but this should not significantly limit your options. Your business name:
- You may not suggest any ties to government agencies such as the State Department, CIA, or FBI.
- Must not contain language that states or implies that it is organized for illicit purposes (e.g. Harry's House of Hitmen)
- Must include the words “LLC,” “LLC,” or “Limited Liability Company” (Professional Limited Liability Companies must include “PLLC” or “Chartered”)
- Appropriate certification or licensing documentation is required, including specific words such as “bank”, “attorney”, “attorney”, “credit union”, etc.
Most importantly, the name must be unique. In other words, it must be distinguishable from an existing business registered in Florida. You can perform a Florida business name search using the state registry to see if the name you choose is already in use.
What if I perform an LLC search and the name I select is already in use? You can replace words in the name with synonyms or change the order of the words in the name without changing the spirit of the name. There are ways to distinguish it from other names on record. For example, the name “Purple Fields LLC” might become “Lavender Fields LLC” or “Fields of Purple LLC.”
Things to consider when naming your Florida LLC
Once upon a time, businesses fought for names that started with “A” to be listed first in the Yellow Pages (the business section of printed telephone directories). Although this is no longer important, modern businesses must consider other ways an LLC name can impact marketing and sales.
You may want to consider choosing a name and spelling that is easy to remember. If a potential customer types your name into a search engine and gets misguided because they don't understand it correctly, you could lose business.
In addition to searching for your Florida LLC name in the Florida registry, you should perform a domain name search to see if a domain name for a website similar to your proposed LLC name is available. If so, please book now. If you have a specific name for your LLC and the associated domain is not available, you may want to consider creative options. (Example: “fixmyroofnow.com” or “RoofRepairTampaFlorida.com”).
Inside scoop: It's important to know how to avoid company names that are trademarked by other companies. For example, even if your name is Walt Disney, you cannot register a business under that name, especially in Florida.
Register a fictitious business name
You can also register a fictitious company name that you use to do business as a “Doing business as” (DBA) name. For example, you can form a Florida LLC for various home contractor services and register a separate DBA for roof repair, tree removal, and home painting businesses.
It costs $50 to register a Florida DBA (sometimes referred to as a “business name”) with the Florida Department of State and is valid for five years. This can be done online or by mail.
Inside scoop: Want to know how to use a DBA to avoid infringing on someone else's trademark or brand name? For example, if you can form “McDonald's Home Improvements, LLC,” you can suspend your stay from the famously protective hamburger chain. You can also register “Up Top Roof Repair” as a DBA to avoid notifications.
