State-By-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and Llcs

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State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 1 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue When selecting and protecting a name, a business entity must comply with myriad state and federal rules. Each jurisdiction has New York, NY 10011 different laws that restrict naming options, and one misstep can result in a rejected filing. Some words or phrases are prohibited; 800.624.0909 others are required. In addition, name reservation, renewal, and transferability laws differ by state. A business entity must make sure that its name meets all of the requirements of all the states in which it will be doing business. This chart details these considerations.

Name Required Words Required Words Reservation Renewal Period Transferability for Corporation Names for LLC Names Prohibited Words Jurisdiction Period for for Corporations for Corporations for Corporations & LLCs Corporations & LLCs & LLCs CHOOSE ONE CHOOSE ONE & LLCs

“Corporation” “Limited Liability Company” Both: Language implying the entity is Both: ALABAMA “Incorporated” “LLC” Both: 120 days Both: Yes organized for an impermissible purpose Renewable An abbreviation thereof “L.L.C.”

“Limited Liability Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Company” “LLC” Both: “City,” “borough” or “village” or Both: ALASKA “Incorporated” “Limited” Both: 120 days Both: Yes terms implying entity is a municipality Statute silent “Limited” “Ltd.” An abbreviation thereof “Company” “Co.”

Corp.: 1) Language stating/implying entity is organized for any purpose other “Association” than that contained in its articles or “Limited Liability Company” “Bank” permitted by law “Limited Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” 2) “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited “Company” Both: ARIZONA “L.C.” Company” or the abbreviations thereof Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Incorporated” Renewable “LLC” “Limited” LLC: “LC” An abbreviation thereof Lowercase variations thereof 1) “Corporation,” “Incorporated” or or language of like import “Association” or any abbreviation thereof 2) “Bank,” “Deposit,” “Credit Union,” “Trust” or “Trust Company” separately or in combination unless the LLC is one

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 2 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

C orp.: “Limited Liability Company” 1) Any word or phrase which is prohibited “Limited Company” by law or which indicates or implies Corp.: “L.L.C.” organization for any purpose other than Nonrenewable “Corporation” “L.C.” one or more of the purposes contained Corp.: LLC: “Company” “LLC” in the articles of incorporation 6 months ARKANSAS Maximum Both: Yes “Incorporated” “LC” 2) Name may not end with “Company” nor LLC: 120 days of 2 succes- An abbreviation thereof “Limited” the abbreviation “Co.” if the final word or “Ltd.” abbreviation is immediately preceded by sive 120-day “Company” “and” or any symbol for “and” periods “Co.” LLC: Statute silent

As the last word: “Limited Liability Company” “LLC” “L.L.C.” Corp.: Silent This requirement applies to Both: “Bank,” “Trust,” “Trustee” or related “Limited” close corporations only: words appear without proper authorization LLC: “Ltd.” CALIFORNIA “Corporation” Both: 60 days Maximum of Both: Yes “Company” LLC: “Corporation” or “Incorporated” or “Incorporated” 2 successive “Co.” any abbreviation thereof “Limited” 60-day periods An abbreviation thereof Additional Consideration: Name may contain the name of one or more members

“Limited Liability Company” “Ltd. Liability Company” “Corporation” “Limited Liability Co.” Corp.: Any term the inclusion of Both: “Incorporated” “Ltd.” which would violate any statute of Renewable Both: COLORADO “Company” “Liability Co.” this state for succes- Both: Yes 120 days “Limited” “Limited” LLC: “Cooperative” or its abbreviation or sive 120-day An abbreviation thereof “L.L.C.” derivations periods “LLC” “Ltd.”

“Limited Liability Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” Both: “Company” Corp.: Language stating/implying “LLC” Renewable for “Incorporated” corporation organized for purpose other Both: CONNECTICUT “Limited” successive Both: Yes “Limited” than permitted in articles of incorporation 120 days “Ltd.” 120-day “Societa per Azioni” “Company” LLC: Statute silent periods An abbreviation thereof “Co.”

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 3 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “Association” “Association” “Company” “Company” “Corporation” “Club” “Club” “Foundation” Corp.: “Bank,” or any variation thereof, “Foundation” “Fund” unless business is a financial institution; Both: “Fund” “Institute” however, such words can be used in a Renewable “Incorporated” for DELAWARE “Society” context clearly not referring to banking Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Institute” “Union” business or otherwise likely to mislead successive “Society” “Syndicate” the public 120-day “Union” “Limited” periods LLC: Statute silent “Syndicate” “Trust” “Limited” An abbreviation thereof An abbreviation thereof or language of like import or language of like import Additional Consideration: Name may contain name of member or manager

“Limited Liability Company” Corp.: “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” 1) Language indicating/implying “Corporation” “LLC” corporation organized for purpose other “Company” DISTRICT OF “L.C.” than purposes contained in articles Both: “Incorporated” Both: 60 days Both: Yes COLUMBIA “LC” Statute silent “Limited” 2) “Bank,” “Banking,” “Credit Union,” “Limited” An abbreviation thereof “Insurance” or words of similar import, “Ltd.” without the prior approval of the Mayor “Company” “Co.” LLC: Statute silent

As the last word: Both: Language stating/implying “Limited Liability Company” corporation or LLC is “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Company” “LLC” 1) Organized for an impermissible purpose Both: Both: Both: FLORIDA “Incorporated” “Limited” No reservation No reservation No reservation 2) Connected with a state or federal An abbreviation thereof “Ltd.” government agency or a corporation “Company” chartered under US law “Co.”

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 4 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

Name Required Words Required Words Renewal Period Transferability for Prohibited Words Reservation Jurisdiction for Corporation Names for LLC Names Period for for Corporations Corporations for Corporations & LLCs Corporations CHOOSE ONE CHOOSE ONE & LLCs & LLCs & LLCs

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” Both: Name must not exceed 80 characters Both: 30 “Corporation” “L.L.C.” including spaces and punctuation days or until “Company” “LLC” Both: Corp.: articles of “Incorporated” “L.C.” Renewable for GEORGIA incorporation Both: Yes “Limited” “LC” 1) Language stating or implying that one 30-day are filed, An abbreviation thereof “Limited” the corporation is organized for an period whichever or language of like import “Ltd.” impermissible purpose is sooner “Company” 2) Obscene language “Co.”

“Limited Liability Company” Corp.: Language falsely stating or implying “Corporation” “LLC” government affiliation or stating or “Incorporated” Both: Statute HAWAII “L.L.C.” implying that the corporation is organized Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited” Silent Limited may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” for an impermissible purpose An abbreviation thereof Company may be abbreviated as “Co.” LLC: Statute silent

“Corporation” “Limited Liability Company” “Company” “Limited Company” “Incorporated” “L.L.C.” Corp.: Language falsely stating or “Limited” Corp.: An abbreviation thereof “LLC” implying government affiliation or “L.C.” Nonrenewable IDAHO or language of like import stating or implying that the corporation Both: 4 months Both: Yes “LC” is organized for an impermissible purpose LLC: Statute Additional Requirement: “Limited” Silent “Company” or “Co.” cannot “Ltd.” LLC: Statute silent be the last word in name if one immediately precedes “and” or “Company” a symbol/abbreviation for “and” “Co.”

Corp.: Language stating/implying that the “Corporation” corporation is authorized or empowered “Company” “Limited liability company” to conduct the business of “Incorporated” “L.L.C.” “Limited” 1) Insurance, assurance, indemnity or the “LLC” acceptance of savings deposits An abbreviation thereof Additional Requirements: 2) Banking, unless otherwise allowed by the Both: Both: ILLINOIS Additional Requirements: Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate Both: Yes Such words must be separate If organized as a low-profit limited pursuant to the Illinois Banking Act 90 days Statute silent and apart from any other word/ liability company, name must contain “L3C” 3) A corporate fiduciary, unless otherwise abbreviation in name allowed by the Corporate Fiduciary Act Special requirements apply If organized to accept and execute for trusts, pawn societies and trusts, name must contain “trust” LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporation,” “Association,” “Limited,” “Limited cooperatives Partnership” or any abbreviation thereof

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 5 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Corporation” “Limited Liability Company” “Company” “L.L.C.” Corp.: Language stating/implying “Incorporated” “LLC” corporation organized for an Both: INDIANA impermissible purpose Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited” Additional Consideration: Renewable An abbreviation thereof May contain name of member LLC: Statute silent or language of like import or manager

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Incorporated” “LLC” Corp.: Language stating/implying Corp.: “Company” “L.C.” corporation organized for impermissible Renewable IOWA purpose Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited” “LC” LLC: Statute An abbreviation thereof “Limited” LLC: Statute silent Silent or language of like import “Ltd.” “Company” “Co.”

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Incorporated” “L.C.” “Company” “Limited” “LLC” “Association” “LC” “Church” “Company” “College” “Association” “Club” “Club” “Foundation” “Foundation” Both: KANSAS “Fund” “Fund” Both: Statute silent Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Institute” “Institute” Statute silent “Society” “Society” “Union” “University” “Union” “Syndicate” “Syndicate” An abbreviation thereof “Limited” or language of like import “Trust” Abbreviations of like import Additional Requirement: Special rules apply to banks Additional Consideration: May contain name of member or manager

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 6 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Corporation” Corp.: “L.L.C.” Corp.: Language stating/implying “Incorporated” “LLC” Nonrenewable “Company” “L.C.” corporation organized for an KENTUCKY Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited” “LC” impermissible purpose LLC: “Limited” Renewable An abbreviation thereof LLC: Statute silent or language of like import “Ltd.” once “Company” “Co.”

“Corporation” “Limited liability company” “Incorporated” Both: Must obtain consent from Both: “L.L.C.” appropriate agency to use terms related “Limited” “LC” Renewable for An abbreviation thereof to licensed professions, businesses or two extensions LOUISIANA Both: 60 days Both: Yes Additional Requirement: Additional Requirement: industries; consult statute for details of not more “Company” or “Co.” may be used If organized as a low-profit limited than 30 days liability company, name must contain LLC: Deceptively/falsely asserting a provided they are not immediately charitable/non-profit nature each preceded by “and” or “&” “L3C”

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” Corporation: Language stating/implying “L.C.” corporation is organized for an “LC” impermissible purpose “Limited” Both: Both: MAINE Statute silent LLCs: Language that is obscene, Both: Yes “Ltd.” 120 days Nonrenewable “Company” inappropriately promotes abusive or “Co.” unlawful activity or falsely suggests an association with public institutions Additional Requirement: If organized as a low-profit limited liability company, name must contain “L3C”

“Limited liability company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Incorporated” “LLC” Corp: Effective Corp.: “Limited” “L.C.” until the close Renewable An abbreviation thereof “LC” Both: Language indicating/implying entity MARYLAND of calendar year-to-year Both: Yes Additional Requirement: Additional Requirement: is organized an impermissible purpose year LLC: Statute “Company” or “Co.” may be used Benefit limited liability company name LLC: 30 days silent provided they are not immediately must include “Benefit limited liability preceded by “and” or “&” company,” “Benefit L.L.C.,” “Benefit LLC,” “Benefit LC” or “Benefit LC”

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 7 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” Corp.: Language stating/implying Both: “Incorporated” “L.C.” corporation is organized for an Renewable for MASSACHUSETTS “Company” “LLC” Both: 60 days Both: Yes impermissible purpose one 60-day “Limited” “LC” period An abbreviation thereof Additional Consideration: LLC: Statute silent May contain name of member or manager

“Limited Liability Company” Both: Language stating/implying entity “Limited Company” organized for an impermissible purpose “L.L.C.” “Corporation” “LLC” Corp.: “Bank,” “Industrial Bank,” “Incorporated” “Deposit,” “Surety,” “Security,” “Trust” Both: “L.C.” Both: MICHIGAN “Company” or “Trust company” unless that is its 6 calendar Both: Yes “LC” Statute silent “Limited” business or it is clear that the business months An abbreviation thereof Additional Requirement: conducted does not include banking If organized as a low-profit limited liability company, name must LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporated” or contain “L3C” abbreviations thereof

“Corporation” “Incorporated” “Limited” Both: Language stating/implying entity An abbreviation thereof “Limited liability company” is organized for impermissible purpose Both: 12 Both: MINNESOTA Both: Yes Additional Requirement: “LLC” months Renewable “Company” or “Co.” may be LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporated” or used provided they are not abbreviations thereof immediately preceded by “and” or “&”

Corp.: Language stating/implying entity “Limited Liability Company” is organized for impermissible purpose “Corporation” “L.L.C.” LLC: “Incorporated” “LLC” 1) “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” Both: MISSISSIPPI “Company” Both: 180 days Both: Yes “Limited” or “Limited Partnership” Nonrenewable “Limited” Additional Consideration: or abbreviations thereof An abbreviation thereof May contain name of member or manager 2) “Bank,” “Trust,” “Trustee,” “Insurer” or “Insurance Company”

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 8 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

Corp.: Language stating/implying corporation or LLC “Corporation” “Limited Liability Company” 1) Is organized for impermissible purpose Corp.: “Incorporated” “Limited Company” 2) Is any governmental agency Renewable Corp.: Yes “Company” “L.L.C.” MISSOURI LLC: Both: 60 days LLC: “Limited” “LLC” 1) “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” Renewable for LLC: An abbreviation thereof “L.C.” “Limited” or “Limited partnership” a total of 180 Statute silent “LC” or abbreviations thereof days 2) Deceptively/falsely asserting a charitable/non-profit nature

“Limited Liability Company” Both: Language stating/implying entity “Limited Company” is organized for impermissible purpose “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Incorporated” “LLC” Corp.: Language stating/implying that “Company” “L.C.” it is an entity other than a corporation Both: MONTANA Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited” “LC” Nonrenewable LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” An abbreviation thereof “Limited” “Limited,” “Limited Partnership,” or language of like import “Ltd.” “Company” “Limited Liability Limited Partnership,” “Co.” “Association” or abbreviations thereof

“Corporation” “Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Incorporated” “L.L.C.” “Company” “LLC” Corp.: Language stating/implying entity “Limited” “L.C.” Both: NEBRASKA is organized for impermissible purpose Both: 120 days Both: Yes An abbreviation thereof “LC” Nonrenewable or language of like import “Limited” LLC: Statute silent “Ltd.” Additional Requirement: “Company” Special rules apply to banks “Co.”

A name appearing to be that of a “Limited Liability Company” natural person and containing a “Limited Company” given name or initials must also Corp.: Statute silent contain: “L.L.C.” “Incorporated” “LLC” LLC: Must obtain consent from “Limited” “L.C.” Both: NEVADA appropriate agency to use terms Both: 90 days Both: Yes “Company” “LC” related to licensed professions or Statute silent “Corporation” “Limited” home-owners associations; consult An abbreviation thereof “Ltd.” statute for details Other words which identify “Company” the corporation as not being “Co.” a natural person

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 9 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Corporation” “Limited Liability Company’’ “Incorporated” “L.L.C.’’ NEW “Limited” A similar abbreviation Both: Language stating/implying entity Both: 120 days Both: Renewable Both: Yes HAMPSHIRE An abbreviation thereof is organized for impermissible purpose Additional Consideration: or language of like import May contain name of member or manager

Corp.: Corp.: “Corporation” “Limited Liability Company’’ 1) Language stating/implying entity is Renewable for “Incorporated” “L.L.C.’’ organized for impermissible purpose one 120-day “Company” NEW JERSEY 2) Any name of a dissolved corporation Both: 120 days period Both: Yes “Limited” Additional Consideration: before one year has passed LLC: Renewable An abbreviation thereof May contain name of member or LLC: Any word, phrase or abbreviation for successive or language of like import manager prohibited or restricted by any other statute, 120-day periods unless restrictions are complied with

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “Corporation” “LLC” “Incorporated” Corp.: Language stating/implying entity “L.C.” Both: NEW MEXICO “Company” is organized for impermissible purpose Both: 120 days Both: Yes “LC” Statute silent “Limited” “Limited” LLC: Statute silent An abbreviation thereof “Ltd.” “Company” “Co.”

Both : Must obtain consent from appropriate agency to use terms related to licensed professions or businesses. Consult statute for details.

“Corporation” Corp: No language considered obscene, Both: “Limited Liability Company” derogatory, or that states/implies any Corp.: Yes “Incorporated” Renewable NEW YORK “L.L.C.” unlawful activity Both: 60 days LLC: “Limited” no more than “LLC” Statute silent An abbreviation thereof LLC: “Board of Trade,” “Chamber of two times Commerce,” “Community Renewal,” “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Partnership,” “State Police,” “State Trooper,” “Tenant Relocation,” “Urban Development” and “Urban Relocation”

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 10 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “Corporation” “Ltd. Liability Co.” Corp.: “Incorporated” “Limited Liability Co.” NORTH Both: Language stating/implying entity Nonrenewable “Company” “Ltd. Liability” Both: 120 days Both: Yes CAROLINA is organized for impermissible purpose LLC: “Limited” Additional Requirement: Statute silent An abbreviation thereof Low-profit limited liability company must contain the words “Low-Profit Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L3C”

Both: Language stating/implying entity is organized for impermissible purpose “Corporation” Corp.: “Limited Liability Company,” “Incorporated” “Limited Liability Company” “Limited Partnership,” “Limited Liability Both: Both: NORTH DAKOTA “Company” “L.L.C.” Limited Partnership” or abbreviation thereof Both: Yes 12 months Renewable “Limited” “LLC” LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” An abbreviation thereof “Limited,” “Limited Partnership,” “Limited Liability Limited Partnership” or abbreviations thereof

“Limited Liability Company” Corp.: Any language that indicates or “Corporation” “LLC” implies that the corporation is connected “Incorporated” “L.L.C.” Both: OHIO with a government agency of Ohio, Both: 180 days Both: Yes “Company” “Limited” another state or the United States Statute silent An abbreviation thereof “Ltd.” “Ltd” LLC: Statute silent

“Association” “Company” “Limited Liability Company” “Corporation” “Limited Company” “Club” Corp.: “Savings and Loan,” “Building “Foundation” “L.L.C.” and Loan,” “Savings Association,” “Fund” “LLC” “Incorporated” “L.C.” “Savings Bank” or combination of such Both: OKLAHOMA Both: 60 days Both: Yes “Institute” “LC” term unless it is clear that the business Statute silent “Society” “Limited” conducted does not include banking. “Union” “Ltd.” LLC: Statute silent “Syndicate” “Company” “Limited” “Co.” An abbreviation thereof or language of like import

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 11 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

Corp.: “Cooperative” “Corporation” LLC: “Incorporated” “Limited Liability Company” 1) “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” Corp.: Yes Both: OREGON “Company” “L.L.C.” “Limited,” “Limited Partnership,” Both: 120 days Statute silent LLC: “Limited” “LLC” “Limited Liability Limited Partnership” Statute silent An abbreviation thereof or abbreviations thereof 2) Obscene language

“Corporation” Both: “Company” 1) Must obtain consent from appropriate “Incorporated” “Company” agency to use terms related to licensed “Limited” “Limited” professions, institutions or businesses; Both: PENNSYLVANIA “Association” Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited liability company” consult statute for details Statute silent “Fund” An abbreviation thereof “Syndicate” 2) No language considered obscene, An abbreviation thereof indecent, derogatory or states/implies or language of like import any unlawful activity

“Limited Liability Company” “L.L.C.” in upper or lower case letters “Corporation” with or without punctuation Corp.: “Incorporated” Nonrenewable RHODE ISLAND “Company” Additional Requirement: Both: Statue silent Both: 120 days Both: Yes “Limited” Effective July 1, 2012, a low-profit LLC: An abbreviation thereof limited liability company name Statute silent must end with “Low-Profit Limited Liability Company,” “L3C” or “l3c”

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Corporation” “L.L.C.” “Incorporated” “LLC” Corp.: No language considered obscene, SOUTH “Company” “L.C.” indecent, derogatory or states/implies Both: Both: 120 days Both: Yes CAROLINA “Limited” “LC” any unlawful activity Nonrenewable An abbreviation thereof “Limited” LLC: Statute silent or language of like import “Ltd.” “Company” “Co.”

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 12 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” “Corporation” “Limited Company” Both: “Incorporated” “L.L.C.” Nonrenewable “Company” “LLC” Corp.: Language stating/implying entity is LLC: Cannot “Limited” “L.C.” SOUTH DAKOTA organized for impermissible purpose Both: 120 days reserve same Both: Yes An abbreviation thereof “LC” name for at Words/abbreviations of like “Limited” LLC: Statute silent least 60 days import in other languages “Ltd.” after reservation “Company” period expires “Co.”

Both: 1) Language stating/implying entity is organized for impermissible purpose 2) Language stating/ implying the entity: a) does business or has the power to do “Corporation” “Limited Liability Company” business for which authorization is required “Incorporated” “L.L.C.” unless authorized granted Both: 4 TENNESSEE “Company” “LLC” Both: Renewable Both: Yes b) is organized as, affiliated with or sponsored months An abbreviation thereof Words/abbreviations of like by, any fraternal, veterans’, service, religious, or language of like import import in another language charitable or professional organization unless certified in writing c) is an agency or instrumentality of, affiliated with or sponsored by the United States or this state or a subdivision or agency thereof, unless certified in writing

“Limited Liability Company” Corp.: Renewable “Corporation” “Limited Company” LLC: Successive Corp.: Language stating/implying entity is orga- “Incorporated” An abbreviation thereof 120-day periods TEXAS “Company” “LLC” nized for impermissible purpose Both: 120 days if renewed Both: Yes “Limited” “L.L.C.” LLC: Statute silent within the 30 An abbreviation thereof “LC” days preceding “L.C.” the expiration

B oth: “Corporation” “Lim ited company” Corp.: Renewable “Limited liability company” 1) Language stating/implying entity is organized “Incorporated” “L.C.” for impermissible purpose LLCs: Can be “Company” “LC” 2) Specific terms related to Olympics prohibited renewed for An abbreviation thereof “L.L.C.” without consent 120-day periods UTAH or language of like import Both: 120 days until July 1, 2012, Both: Yes “LLC” 3) “University,” “College,” “Institute” or after which Exception: Additional Requirement: “Institution” without written consent Effective July 1, 2012, renewal Does not apply to depository LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporation,” “Association,” “Company” may be language is “Limited”, “Limited Partnership,” or any institutions abbreviated as “Co.” removed abbreviation thereof (effective until July 1, 2012)

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 13 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” Corp.: “Limited Company” 1) Language stating/implying entity is “L.L.C.” “Corporation” organized for impermissible purpose Both: “LLC” “Incorporated” 2) “Cooperative’” or abbreviation thereof Maximum of 2 “L.C.” VERMONT “Company” is not permitted unless corporation is Both: 120 days successive Both: Yes “LC” An abbreviation thereof a cooperative 120-day “Limited” or language of like import 3) A corporate name shall not include any periods “Ltd.” word not otherwise authorized by law. “Company” “Co.” LLC: Statute silent

Corp.: Corp.: 1) Language stating/implying corporation Renewable “Limited liability company” “Corporation” will engage in any businesses listed in “Limited company” LLC: Successive “Incorporated” § 13.1-620, unless this is its business “LLC” 120-day peri- VIRGINIA “Company” 2) Only urban redevelopment corporations Both: 120 days Both: Yes “LC” ods if renewed “Limited” may use the word “redevelopment” “L.L.C.” within 45-day An abbreviation thereof “L.C.” LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporated” or period pre- “Limited Partnership” or abbreviations ceding the thereof expiration

Both: 1) Language stating/implying entity is organized for impermissible purpose 2) “Bank,” “Banking,” “Banker,” “Trust,” “Limited Liability Company” “Cooperative” or any combination of “Limited Liability Co.” the words “Corporation” “L.L.C.” 3) “Industrial” and “Loan” “Incorporated” “LLC” Both: WASHINGTON “Company” 4) Any combination of any two or more of: Both: 180 days Both: Yes Nonrenewable “Limited” “Building,” “Savings,” “Loan,” “Home,” Additional Consideration: An abbreviation thereof “Association” and “Society” or any May contain the name of a other words or phrases prohibited by member or manager any Washington statute LLC: “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Association,” “Limited,” “Limited Partnership,” “Limited Liability Limited Partnership” or abbreviations thereof

This chart is not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal research to address specific situations. March, 2012 © 2012, Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services. All rights reserved. State-by-State Entity Naming Requirements for Corporations and LLCs page 14 of 14 111 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10011 800.624.0909

“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” Corp.: “L.L.C.” “Corporation” Statute silent “LLC” “Incorporated” Corp.: Language stating/implying entity WEST “L.C.” “Company” is organized for impermissible purpose Both: 120 days LLC: Both: Yes VIRGINIA “LC” “Limited” Renewable for “Limited” LLC: Statute silent An abbreviation thereof one additional “Ltd.” 120-day period “Company” “Co.”

“Corporation” Must end with: “Incorporated” “Limited Liability Company” Both: Language stating/implying entity Both: WISCONSIN “Company” “Limited Liability Co.” Both: 120 days Both: Yes is organized for impermissible purpose Renewable “Limited” “L.L.C.” An abbreviation thereof “LLC”

“Limited Liability Company” “LLC” “L.L.C.” “Limited Company” “LC” “L.C.” Both: Language stating/implying entity “Ltd. Liability Company” Corp.: “Ltd. Liability Co.” is organized for impermissible purpose Both: Nonrenewable WYOMING Statute silent “Limited Liability Co.” LLC: Terms implying LLC is a corporation, Both: Yes 120 days LLC: statutory close corporation or nonprofit Statute silent Additional Requirement: corporation A low-profit limited liability company name must contain “L3C,” “l3c,” “Low Profit Ltd. Liability Company,” “Low Profit Ltd. Liability Co.” or “low-profit limited liability co.”