Delaware has two separate tools, and it matters which one you use. The Division of Corporations’ General Information Name Search looks up existing entities, while its Name Availability Search is the tool that checks, in real time, whether a name can be used for a new corporation or LLC.
Both are free. To hold an available name, a Delaware registered agent or online agent can file a name reservation for $75, which lasts 120 days under the fee schedule revised August 1, 2026. Trade names (DBAs) are not a Division of Corporations filing; they’re registered through Delaware OneStop with the Division of Revenue.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Delaware (2026)
Comparing services for forming your LLC once your name is clear in Delaware? 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 | DE Registered Agent.org | Delaware 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 | Delaware Registered Agent.ai | Delaware 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 Delaware. 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. DE Registered Agent.org
DE Registered Agent.org is a Delaware 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. Delaware Registered Agent.ai
Delaware Registered Agent.ai is a Delaware 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.
Delaware business names at a glance
| Topic | Delaware (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations |
| Entity lookup | General Information Name Search (free) |
| Availability check | Name Availability Search (free, real time) |
| Name reservation | $75 for 120 days; transfer or cancellation $75 each |
| LLC Certificate of Formation | $110 (24-hour service +$50, same day +$100) |
| Domestic LLC amendment | $220 |
| Annual LLC tax | $400 flat, due June 1 (no annual report for LLCs) |
| Trade names (DBA) | Registered through Delaware OneStop (Division of Revenue) |
Fees are from the Division of Corporations’ fee schedule, revised August 1, 2026. Delaware LLCs also owe an annual tax; Mainstay Filing’s Delaware LLC cost guide covers the full picture.
How to check Delaware business name availability
Use the Name Availability Search for the yes-or-no answer, and the entity search for context.
1. Run the Name Availability Search
On the Division’s Name Reservation page, accept the disclaimer, choose the entity kind (corporation, LLC, LP, LLP, general partnership, statutory trust or a registered series), and type the name without its ending. For “Brandywine Analytics LLC,” pick LLC and enter “Brandywine Analytics.” Complete the CAPTCHA and submit.
2. Look up near matches in the General Information Name Search
The General Information Name Search takes an entity name or file number. It isn’t case sensitive; put the name in quotation marks for an exact match. Free results show the entity name, file number, formation date and registered agent details.
3. Don’t read status into the results
The entity search lists active and inactive companies alike, and the Division notes that appearing in the results is not an indication of current status. If you need to confirm standing, order a Certificate of Status (a paid service).
4. Search gently
Both tools prohibit data mining, automated tools and excessive repeated searches, and the Division may suspend access. Run the handful of variations you need and move on.
Delaware naming rules
Delaware’s statutes require each new name to be distinguishable on the Division’s records from names already in use or reserved. Beyond that:
- LLCs must include “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in the name.
- Corporations need a word such as “Corporation,” “Company,” “Incorporated,” “Limited” or another word the Delaware General Corporation Law accepts, or an abbreviation of one.
- Regulated words such as “bank” or “trust” generally require approval from Delaware’s banking regulator.
- Endings don’t separate names: changing only the entity ending or punctuation won’t usually turn an unavailable name into an available one.
If your first choice is taken, Namechk’s business name generator can suggest alternatives to test in the availability tool.
How name reservations work in Delaware
Unlike most states, Delaware routes name reservations through registered agents. The Division’s reservation page says every entity formed in Delaware must have a Delaware registered agent and suggests contacting a Delaware online agent to reserve a name.
| Reservation detail | Delaware rule |
|---|---|
| Fee | $75 |
| Duration | 120 days (all entities, domestic and foreign) |
| Transfer | $75 |
| Cancellation | $75 |
| Who files | Usually a Delaware registered agent; see the Division’s registered agent list |
Many founders skip the reservation and simply file the Certificate of Formation, since forming the LLC secures the name and costs $110.
A reservation is more useful when the launch depends on something outside your control, such as closing a financing round, signing a lease or waiting for co-founders to agree on terms. Because it now runs 120 days and costs $75, it buys roughly four months of exclusivity for a fee lower than the LLC formation itself.
Trademarks, domains and social handles
Delaware is popular with companies that operate nationally, which makes a federal trademark check essential. Search the USPTO trademark database before relying on a name that the Division accepts.
Online availability matters just as much. Namechk checks domains and dozens of social platforms in one search, so you’ll know whether the website and handles match before you form the entity. The domain name generator helps when the exact .com is gone.
We created a tool that makes it easy.
Registering a trade name (DBA) in Delaware
Trade names used to be filed with the Prothonotary’s office of the Superior Court. According to Delaware OneStop, the Division of Revenue has managed trade names (often called DBAs) since February 2, 2026, and the Delaware Courts’ old trade names link now points to the Division of Revenue.
- Where to register: Delaware OneStop, the state’s business registration and licensing portal, which also gives real-time trade name availability.
- Where to search: the Division of Revenue’s Trade, Business and Fictitious Names Search, searchable by keyword or alphabetical range. It can lag OneStop by up to 72 hours.
- Historic filings: records from the courts’ former trade name database are available as a spreadsheet on the same Division of Revenue page.
- Licensing link: Delaware’s business license system includes a “trade name only registrant” category, so trade name registration ties in with your state business license.
Check OneStop for the current fee before you register.
Forming your Delaware company after the search
The Division’s How to Form a New Business Entity page and our Delaware LLC guide cover the details. In brief:
- Appoint a Delaware registered agent. It’s mandatory, and the agent usually submits your filing. Mainstay Filing includes registered agent service in its formation package; our Delaware registered agent guide explains the rules.
- File the Certificate of Formation (LLC, $110) or Certificate of Incorporation.
- Get an EIN and register with the Division of Revenue for a Delaware business license if you do business in the state. Our Delaware start-a-business guide lists what’s needed.
- Calendar the annual tax: a Delaware LLC pays a flat $400 annual tax by June 1 instead of filing an annual report; corporations file an annual report and pay franchise tax.
FAQs
Which Delaware search tells me if a name is available?
Use the Division of Corporations’ Name Availability Search on its Name Reservation page. Choose the entity kind, enter the name without LLC or Inc., and complete the CAPTCHA. The General Information Name Search only looks up existing entities and doesn’t tell you whether a new name is available or whether a company is in good standing.
How much does a Delaware name reservation cost?
A Delaware name reservation costs $75 and lasts 120 days for all entity types, according to the Division of Corporations fee schedule revised August 1, 2026. Transferring or cancelling a reservation also costs $75. Reservations are usually filed by a Delaware registered agent or online agent on your behalf.
Is the Delaware entity search free?
Yes. The General Information Name Search is free and shows an entity’s name, file number, formation date and registered agent. It lists active and inactive entities and doesn’t show current status. A Certificate of Status, certified copies and plain copies of filed documents cost extra and are ordered through a Delaware online agent or the Division’s request service.
Where do I register a DBA in Delaware?
Delaware trade names are registered through Delaware OneStop, the state’s business registration and licensing portal run with the Division of Revenue. The Delaware Courts’ former trade names database now points to the Division of Revenue’s Trade, Business and Fictitious Names Search, which you can use to check existing trade names.
Does a Delaware LLC name have to include LLC?
Yes. A Delaware LLC name must contain Limited Liability Company, L.L.C. or LLC, and it must be distinguishable on the Division of Corporations’ records from names already in use or reserved. Words like bank or trust generally need regulatory approval. Check availability before filing the $110 Certificate of Formation.
Can I form a Delaware LLC without a Delaware address?
Yes, but you must appoint a Delaware registered agent with a physical address in the state. The Division of Corporations requires a registered agent for every Delaware entity, and the agent often files your formation documents. Owners and managers can live anywhere; the agent receives legal notices on the company’s behalf.
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