Washington lesson 1 of 6
Name your Washington LLC
Washington's Uniform Business Organizations Code sets the naming rules for LLCs. Search the register before you draft your Certificate of Formation so a name clash does not delay your filing.
Required wording
A Washington LLC name must contain the words Limited Liability Company or an abbreviation such as LLC or L.L.C. The word Limited may be abbreviated Ltd and Company may be abbreviated Co.
- Acceptable: Cascade Trail Supply LLC, Cascade Trail Supply Limited Liability Company
- Not acceptable: wording implying a bank, trust company, or state agency without approval
- The name must be distinguishable from other active entity names on the Secretary of State's record
Checking availability and reserving a name
Search the Secretary of State's Corporations and Charities Filing System before filing. If you are not ready to submit the Certificate of Formation yet, you can file a name reservation to hold a name for a period set by the Secretary of State while you finish your paperwork.
Trading under a name different from your LLC's registered name in Washington means filing a trade name registration as part of your state Business License Application, not a separate filing with the Secretary of State alone.
🇺🇸 Check United States company name availability
Search the official United States state registry before you file. Opens the government portal in a new tab.
Tip: also confirm the .com domain and matching social handles are free before you commit.
Key takeaways
- End the name with LLC, L.L.C. or the words Limited Liability Company.
- The Secretary of State checks names against the active entity record before approving a filing.
- A trade name that differs from the LLC's legal name is registered through the Business Licensing Service.
Official sources
Or let us file your Washington LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Certificate of Formation, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team