To check whether a business name is available in Arkansas, use the Arkansas Secretary of State’s free business entity search. Type the name (or a fictitious name) into the search, review any close matches, and confirm your name is distinguishable from every entity and reservation on file.
If you’re not ready to form the company, you can reserve the name for 120 days for $22.50 online or $25 on paper. An Arkansas LLC or corporation that wants to trade under a different name files a fictitious name application with the Secretary of State for the same fee.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Arkansas (2026)
Comparing services for forming your LLC once your name is clear in Arkansas? Start with this ranked shortlist; details for each pick follow the table.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | AR Registered Agent.org | Arkansas registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Arkansas Registered Agent.co | Arkansas registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Arkansas. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. AR Registered Agent.org
AR Registered Agent.org is a Arkansas registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Arkansas Registered Agent.co
Arkansas Registered Agent.co is a Arkansas registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Arkansas business name search: quick facts
| Topic | Arkansas (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Office | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division |
| Search tool | Search Incorporations, Cooperatives, Banks and Insurance Companies (free) |
| Name reservation | $22.50 online / $25 paper; 120 days (LLCs may renew once) |
| Certificate of Organization (LLC) | $45 online / $50 paper |
| Fictitious name (LLC or corporation) | $22.50 online / $25 paper, filed with the Secretary of State |
| Name change (LLC amendment) | $22.50 online / $25 paper |
For the full cost of forming an LLC, including the annual franchise tax, see Mainstay Filing’s Arkansas LLC cost breakdown.
How to use the Arkansas Secretary of State business search
The search link on the Secretary of State’s website opens the state’s corporation search at sos-corp-search.ark.org. It covers corporations, LLCs, partnerships, cooperatives, banks, insurance companies, name reservations and name registrations.
1. Pick a corporation type, or leave it on All Types
The first field is a drop-down of entity types. For an availability check, keep it on All Types so you see conflicts across every kind of entity, including the Name Reservation and Name Registration categories.
2. Enter a name or a fictitious name
The form lets you search either the legal Name or a Fictitious Name. Run your idea through both, since a fictitious name registered by an existing company can also conflict with yours.
3. Use the other fields only when researching an existing company
Registered agent name, agent city, agent state and filing number help you look up a specific business. You don’t need them to check availability.
4. Review every near match
Open the details of each similar result to see its type and status. Then compare spellings: if the only difference between your name and an existing one is the entity ending or punctuation, expect the Secretary of State to reject it.
A search doesn’t reserve anything. Until you file a reservation or your formation document is accepted, someone else can still claim the name.
Arkansas naming rules to know before you file
- Distinguishable on the record: a new name must be distinguishable from the names of entities, reservations and registrations already on file with the Secretary of State.
- LLC endings: an Arkansas LLC name must include “limited liability company,” “limited company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC” or “L.C.”
- Corporate endings: a for-profit corporation needs “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company” or “limited,” or an abbreviation of one of them.
- Regulated terms: words such as “bank” or “insurance” describe regulated businesses; the search tool even lists banks and insurance companies as separate types, so expect extra scrutiny if your name uses them.
Need more options? Namechk’s business name generator turns a few keywords into a list of candidates to test.
How to reserve a business name in Arkansas
Arkansas lets you hold a name for 120 days with an Application for Reservation of Entity Name (Form RN-06).
- Online: file RN-06 online for $22.50.
- By mail: send the paper form with $25 to the Business and Commercial Services Division in Little Rock. A file-stamped copy showing the expiration date is returned to you.
- Renewals: according to the form, an LLC name reservation (A.C.A. § 4-38-201) can be renewed once; corporate reservations are non-renewable.
- Transfers: the owner of a reservation can transfer it to another person with a signed notice naming the transferee.
Check trademarks and online availability
The Secretary of State search is only one layer. A business elsewhere in the country may hold a federal trademark on the same name, which can force a rebrand later. Search the USPTO trademark database, and check Arkansas state trademark registrations through the Secretary of State’s Trademark / Service Mark section.
Next, confirm the online pieces. Namechk checks domain names and usernames across major social platforms at once, so you can see whether your Arkansas business can use one consistent name everywhere.
We created a tool that makes it easy.
Fictitious names (DBAs) in Arkansas
A fictitious name, often called a DBA, is a name a business uses that differs from its legal name. Who files it in Arkansas depends on the type of business.
LLCs and corporations: file with the Secretary of State
A domestic LLC files an Application for Fictitious Name (Form DN-18) with the Secretary of State. It costs $22.50 when filed online or $25 on paper. Corporations and other entities use the equivalent fictitious name form for their entity type on the forms and fees page.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships: file locally
Owners who aren’t operating through a registered entity don’t use the Secretary of State’s fictitious name forms. They register an assumed name with the county clerk in the county where they do business. Fees and forms vary by county, so contact your county clerk’s office.
What comes after the name search in Arkansas
Once you’ve settled on a name, you can register the business. Our Arkansas LLC guide covers the process in depth.
- File the Certificate of Organization (Form LL-01) for an LLC: $45 online or $50 on paper.
- Designate a registered agent with a physical Arkansas address. Mainstay Filing provides one as part of its formation service; see our Arkansas registered agent guide for the rules.
- Apply for an EIN with the IRS.
- Plan for the annual franchise tax report and any local licenses. Our guide to starting a business in Arkansas outlines them.
FAQs
Where do I search business names in Arkansas?
Use the Arkansas Secretary of State’s business entity search, which opens the state’s corporation search at sos-corp-search.ark.org. You can search by entity name or fictitious name and filter by entity type, registered agent or filing number. The search is free and also lists name reservations and name registrations, so you can spot conflicts before filing.
How much does it cost to reserve a name in Arkansas?
An Arkansas name reservation costs $22.50 when filed online or $25 on paper, according to the Secretary of State’s fee schedule. The reservation holds the name for 120 days. An LLC reservation can be renewed once, while corporate reservations are non-renewable. You can also transfer a reservation to another person with a signed notice.
How do I file a DBA in Arkansas?
If you have an LLC or corporation, file an Application for Fictitious Name with the Arkansas Secretary of State. For a domestic LLC this is Form DN-18, which costs $22.50 online or $25 on paper. Sole proprietors and general partnerships instead register an assumed name with the county clerk where they do business.
What does an Arkansas LLC name need to include?
An Arkansas LLC name must include limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation such as LLC, L.L.C., LC or L.C. The name must also be distinguishable from entities, reservations and registered names already on file with the Secretary of State, so run a business search before you submit your Certificate of Organization.
Can I use a name if a similar one is inactive?
Possibly. Names of dissolved or revoked entities can sometimes be reused, but the Arkansas Secretary of State decides availability when it reviews your filing. Look at the status in the search results, and if the old company may still trade under that name, also check trademark records to avoid a dispute.
Does searching a name in Arkansas reserve it?
No. Running an Arkansas Secretary of State business search only shows what is already on file; it does not hold the name. To protect a name before you form the business, file a name reservation (Form RN-06), which lasts 120 days. Filing your Certificate of Organization or Articles of Incorporation also secures the name once accepted.
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