Whether you’re searching for the right business name or registering your LLC with the Kansas Secretary of State, Incfile can help. We have all the information you need to know on how to conduct a Kansas business search, plus LLC naming rules, assumed names and registering your business.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, regardless of what state they’re formed in.
Your preferred business name cannot be used by any other LLC or formed entity in the State of Kansas. This is why it's imperative to perform a Kansas business entity search before you begin the filing process.
Your LLC name should be original, but that’s not enough. It also cannot be similar to the name of a business or LLC in Kansas. For example, you cannot use the following factors to say your name is different and distinguishable 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 words
- Abbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
All LLCs must have the words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in their names, normally at the end of the name.
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, Kansas Comptroller, Kansas Police, Treasury, 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
How to Come Up with a Business Name
Finding the perfect business name can be elusive. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:
Best represent your product or services
Be memorable enough to stand out
Appeal to your customers
Not be used by any other business
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free Business Name Generator.
Kansas Business Search
Once you have an idea of your preferred business name, you’ll need to perform a Kansas business entity search to make sure the name hasn’t been taken by another formed business.
Incfile offers a fast, simple and convenient tool to look up your proposed business name. The Kansas Secretary of State also has a tool that lets you search the State of Kansas business name registry to see whether your desired name is available or if another business is using your preferred name.
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Kansas 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 Incfile. If no one else is using it, you can even register it as a trademark yourself.
Let Incfile run a trademark search for you.
Kansas DBA or Assumed Name
Many states allow you to 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.
For example, your business might be called Middle Earth Adventures, LLC, and under that company, you have a chain called Dusty Trails. You could file for a DBA or an assumed name just for that company.
The state of Kansas currently does not require or permit the registration or filing of a DBA. In this case DBA registration typically occurs on the local or county level, so check with your local municipality to see if you are able to register a DBA. Or you can have Incfile do it on your behalf through our DBA service.
Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark. Learn more about trademark vs. DBA.
Register Your Business Name with the Kansas Secretary of State (SOS)
Once you’ve completed a Kansas business entity search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need a DBA, 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 can file a form for a Temporary Reservation of Business Entity Name with the Kansas Secretary of State. Your name will be reserved for 120 days once the application is processed, and may not be renewed. If you’re forming your Kansas LLC right away, you won’t need to reserve a name.
If you’re ready to start your LLC now, you can file your Articles of Organization with the Kansas Secretary of State or have Incfile do it for you.
Incorporate in Kansas for $0 + State Fee ($160)
FAQs about Kansas Business Names
Use our intuitive, free Business Name Search tool and enter your desired business name. You can also perform a Kansas business name availability search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether there are any corporations or LLCs in the state with that name.
Yes. Most LLCs are bound by general rules (applicable to all LLCs) and specific rules (applicable in the State of Kansas). You'll find more information above.
Yes. In Kansas, you can conduct business under an assumed name or DBA name, however you'll need to register at a local or county level. Details are above.
Yes. The Kansas Secretary of State allows you to reserve a name for 120 days 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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