Whether you’re searching for the right business name or registering your LLC with the Vermont Secretary of State (SOS), Incfile can help. We have all the information you need on how to conduct an Vermont 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.
The business name you have chosen cannot be used by any other LLC or corporation in the State of Vermont. This is why it's imperative to perform a Vermont Secretary of State business search before you begin the filing process.
It’s not enough for your LLC name to be unique. It also cannot be similar to the name of a corporation or LLC in Vermont. For example, you cannot use the following factors to say your name is different 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, Vermont Comptroller, Vermont 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
Specific Rules for Vermont Business Names
As mentioned above, Vermont requires LLCs to comply with the general naming rules. In addition to the general rules, Vermont states in their general content restrictions that they will not accept a business name if it includes discriminatory, indecent, or obscene language. You’ll need to follow these rules to name your business appropriately.
How to Come Up with a Business Name
Finding the perfect business name can be tricky. We have a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but basically, 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 in Vermont
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free Business Name Generator.
Vermont Business Search
Once you have an idea of the business name you’d like to use, you’ll need to perform a Vermont business name search to make sure it isn’t already taken by another business in the state of Vermont.
Incfile offers a fast, simple and convenient tool to look up your proposed business name. The Vermont SOS, Corporations Division also has a tool that lets you search the State of Vermont business registry to see whether someone already has your desired business name.
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Vermont 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.
Vermont DBA or Assumed Name
You may decide to do business under a different name other than your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as), fictitious name or trade name. In Vermont, it's called an assumed business name. You may choose to use a Vermont assumed business name for a variety of reasons.
For example, your business might be called Vermont Marketing Solutions, LLC, and under that company, you have an event planning business called Burlington Opulent Events. You could file for an assumed business name just for that brand. You'll do that with the Assumed Business Name - Online Registration Service, or you can have Incfile’s team 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 Vermont Secretary of State
Once you’ve completed a Vermont business entity search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need an assumed name, 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’ll need to request a form online, and once completed file it with the VT SOS. Once you do so, your name will be reserved for 120 days. You don’t need to reserve a name if you’re forming your business right away.
If you’re ready to start your LLC now, you can file your Articles of Organization with the Vermont SOS or have Incfile do it for you.
Incorporate in Vermont for $0 + State Fee ($125)
FAQs about Vermont Business Names
Use our free Business Name Search tool and enter your desired business name. You can also perform a Vermont business search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether there are any corporations or LLCs in the state of Vermont with that name.
Yes. Most LLCs will be bound by general rules (applicable to all LLCs) and specific rules (applicable in the State of Vermont). You'll find more information above.
Yes. You can conduct business under an assumed name. Details are above.
Yes. The Vermont Secretary of State allows you to reserve a name if you don’t want to start your business immediately. Details are above. You don’t need to reserve a name if you’re ready to start your business now.
Launch
Your Business with Incfile
No contracts. No surprises.
Only $0 + state fee to launch your business.
Start Now