Use the Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity Search at arc-sos.state.al.us to check name availability or look up any registered Alabama business. The search is free. You can search by business name, registered agent name, or entity ID number.
How to search the Alabama SOS business entity database
The Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity Search serves two purposes: checking whether a name is available for your new LLC, and looking up information on any existing registered business in the state — LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and non-profits.
Go to the SOS Business Entity Search
Visit arc-sos.state.al.us or go to sos.alabama.gov → Business Entities → Search. No account needed to search.
Choose your search type
Search by entity name (most common), by registered agent name, or by entity ID number. For name availability, use entity name. For looking up a specific business, any of the three works.
Enter your search term
Type the full or partial business name. The tool returns all entities containing your search term — try variations and partial searches to catch similar existing names.
Check the status column
Active entities mean the name is taken. Dissolved or merged entities may free the name — but similar names can still be rejected. Click any result for full details.
Reserve the name if it's available
If the name is clear, reserve it immediately ($28 fee, valid 120 days) to lock it while you prepare your Articles of Organization filing.
Direct link: The Alabama SOS Business Entity Search is at arc-sos.state.al.us. You can also reach it through sos.alabama.gov → Business Entities → Search.
How to look up an existing Alabama business
The same tool lets you look up any registered business in Alabama. This is useful when you want to verify a company is legitimate, find a registered agent's address, check filing status, or research a competitor.
Clicking a business name in the results opens a detail page showing:
- Entity name and type (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.)
- Current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Pending)
- Date of formation or registration in Alabama
- Registered agent name and address
- Principal office address
- Unique entity ID number
- Annual report filing history
What the entity status codes mean
Every search result includes a status. Here's what each means for name availability:
Business is currently registered and in good standing. The name is taken — you cannot use it.
Business has been formally closed. The name may be available — but a very similar name can still be rejected.
A filing is being processed. The name is likely unavailable until the status resolves.
Entity merged into another business. No longer in use as a standalone entity — name may be available.
Alabama LLC naming requirements
Your chosen name must meet Alabama's requirements or the Secretary of State will reject your Articles of Organization filing — even after you've paid the fee.
- Must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
- Must be distinguishable from all other active Alabama registered business names
- Cannot imply a government connection (FBI, FDIC, Treasury, etc.) without authorization
- Cannot include restricted words like "bank," "insurance," or "university" without special licensing or approval
- Cannot be the same as or deceptively similar to an existing registered name — adding only punctuation or common words like "the" or "company" is not enough
| Fee | $28 |
| Valid for | 120 days |
| Where to file | sos.alabama.gov (online) or by mail |
| Renewable | Yes, once for another 120 days |
| What it does | Prevents anyone else from registering your name while you prepare to file |
| Processing time | 1–2 business days online |
How to reserve an Alabama business name
If your name is available but you're not ready to file, a name reservation protects it for 120 days. This is especially useful if you're still setting up your operating agreement or waiting on a partner.
Log in to the SOS online filing system
Go to sos.alabama.gov and access the online filing portal. Create a free account if you don't have one.
Select Name Reservation under Business Entities
Enter the name you want to reserve and confirm it's available in the search results.
Pay the $28 fee by credit card
The reservation is typically processed within 1–2 business days. You'll receive a Certificate of Name Reservation.
File your Articles of Organization within 120 days
Reference your Certificate of Name Reservation when filing. You can renew once if you need more time. After the second 120-day period, the name returns to availability.
What to do if your desired name is already taken
If an active entity already holds your desired name, you have several options:
- Modify the name — Add a location, descriptor, or additional word. "Smith Plumbing LLC" taken? Try "Smith Plumbing Services LLC" or "Smith Plumbing Huntsville LLC."
- Use a DBA (trade name) — Form your LLC under a different legal name, then register a trade name for the name you want to use publicly. See how DBAs work in Alabama.
- Check if the entity is dissolved — If the existing business is closed, the name may be available. Contact the SOS directly if you're unsure about a dissolved entity's name status.
- Try a different structure — LLCs and corporations share the same name database. An available name for an LLC may already be taken by a corporation.
Alabama business name search vs. trademark search
The SOS database only covers state-level business registrations. It does not search federal trademarks. A name can be completely clear in Alabama's database and still infringe on a federally registered trademark — which could result in a cease-and-desist or lawsuit after your business is operating.
If your brand matters to your business, run a trademark search at USPTO.gov (free) before filing. Focus on trademarks in the same class of goods or services — similar names in the same industry can infringe even if they're not identical.
Also check before committing to a name: Domain availability at Namecheap or GoDaddy, and social handles on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. A legally available name with no matching domain is harder to build a recognizable brand around.