The Kentucky Secretary of State’s free Business Entity Search is the place to check whether a business name is taken. Search the key words of your name and make sure it’s distinguishable from every name already on record with the Secretary of State.
Kentucky keeps costs low: a name reservation is $15 and lasts 120 days, an LLC’s Articles of Organization cost $40, and an assumed name (DBA) certificate costs $20 and runs for five years. Sole proprietors file their assumed names with the county clerk instead.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Kentucky (2026)
If you’d rather not handle forming your LLC once your name is clear in Kentucky yourself, these are the services we recommend, in order. The table compares price and what’s included.
| 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 | KY Registered Agent.org | Kentucky 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 | Kentucky Registered Agent.co | Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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. KY Registered Agent.org
KY Registered Agent.org is a Kentucky 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. Kentucky Registered Agent.co
Kentucky Registered Agent.co is a Kentucky 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.
Kentucky name search at a glance
| Topic | Kentucky (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings |
| Search tool | Business Entity Search (free) |
| Online filing | FastTrack online filings |
| Name reservation | $15; 120 days; renewable |
| LLC Articles of Organization | $40 |
| Assumed name (DBA) | $20 to file, amend, renew or withdraw; five-year term |
| Annual report | $15 |
Fees are from the Secretary of State’s business filing fee page. Mainstay Filing’s Kentucky LLC cost guide pulls everything together.
How to do a Kentucky Secretary of State business search
The Secretary of State’s business filings page says you can check name availability through an online search, in writing, or by phone at (502) 564-3490. The online search is the quickest.
1. Open the Business Entity Search
Go to the Business Entity Search. The old “name availability” search link many guides still use no longer works, so bookmark this one.
2. Search the core words
Enter the distinctive part of your name without the ending. Searching “Bluegrass Barrel” will surface “Bluegrass Barrel Co.” and “Bluegrass Barrel Works, LLC” if they exist.
3. Open close matches
Check each similar record’s status and entity type. Remember that assumed names filed with the Secretary of State are on record too, and your name must be distinguishable from any name filed there.
4. Try a few variations
Run the search again with singular and plural forms, alternate spellings and numbers written both ways. A conflict often hides behind a small spelling change, and catching it now is cheaper than having a filing rejected.
5. Act on the result
If nothing too close appears, reserve the name or file your Articles through FastTrack. Note that, according to the Secretary of State’s FAQ, reservations can’t be made by phone.
Kentucky business name rules
- Distinguishable on the records: a new entity name or assumed name must be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State from any other name filed and on record there.
- LLC designator: a Kentucky LLC name needs “limited liability company,” “limited company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
- Corporate designator: a corporation needs “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated” or “limited,” or an abbreviation.
- One certificate per name: a business adopting several assumed names files a separate certificate for each.
- Regulated words: names suggesting banking, insurance or a licensed profession may require regulatory approval.
If your favorite is taken, Namechk’s business name generator can suggest alternatives to test in the Kentucky search.
How to reserve a business name in Kentucky
Kentucky uses one form, the Application for Reservation or Renewal of Reserved Name, for both new reservations and renewals.
- Fee: $15.
- Length: 120 days.
- Renewal: file the same form again to renew.
- How: by application only, online or by mail. The Secretary of State doesn’t take reservations by phone.
Because forming an LLC costs only $40, many founders skip the reservation and file Articles of Organization as soon as the search looks clear.
Check trademarks, domains and social handles
The Secretary of State’s records don’t include federal trademarks. Search the USPTO trademark database before you invest in a logo, website or signage.
Your online presence matters just as much. Namechk checks domains and social media usernames in one search; if the .com is taken, the domain name generator suggests options.
We created a tool that makes it easy.
Filing an assumed name (DBA) in Kentucky
The Secretary of State advises filing a certificate of assumed name whenever you transact business under a name other than your exact legal name. The Certificate of Assumed Name instructions explain the rules:
- Fee: $20, payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. The same fee applies to amendments, renewals and withdrawals.
- Term: five years from filing with the Secretary of State.
- Renewal: file a renewal certificate within the six months before expiration. The Secretary of State isn’t required to send reminders, so set your own.
- Entities: LLCs, corporations, partnerships and other entities file with the Secretary of State. The instructions also note that you can print a copy of the filing from the online search to deliver to your local county clerk’s office.
- Sole proprietors: under KRS 365.015(3), an individual files the certificate of assumed name with the county clerk where the person is deemed a resident.
When is a Kentucky name an assumed name?
Whether you need a certificate depends on your business’s real name, which the assumed name instructions define for each business type:
- LLC: the name in its Articles of Organization.
- Corporation: the name in its Articles of Incorporation.
- General partnership: a name that includes the real name of each general partner.
- Limited partnership or LLP: the name in its certificate or statement filed with the Secretary of State.
Anything else is an assumed name. For example, if “Bluegrass Barrel Works, LLC” sells under “Barrel Works,” the shorter brand is an assumed name and needs a certificate. A general partnership called “Smith & Jones” that trades as “Lexington Lawn Care” needs one too.
Filing the certificate doesn’t create a new entity or give trademark rights. It simply puts on public record who is behind the name, which helps customers, lenders and courts identify the business.
After the search: forming your Kentucky business
With your name settled, our Kentucky LLC guide covers each step:
- File Articles of Organization ($40) through FastTrack or by mail.
- Name a registered agent with a Kentucky address. Mainstay Filing includes registered agent service in its formation package; our Kentucky registered agent guide covers the requirements.
- Get an EIN and register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue if needed.
- File the $15 annual report each year. Our Kentucky start-a-business guide lists local licenses.
FAQs
How do I search for a business name in Kentucky?
Use the Kentucky Secretary of State’s free Business Entity Search. Enter the distinctive words of your proposed name, then open close matches to check their status and entity type. You can also check availability in writing or by calling the Secretary of State’s office at (502) 564-3490, according to its business filings page.
How much does it cost to reserve a business name in Kentucky?
A Kentucky name reservation costs $15 and lasts 120 days. You file the Application for Reservation or Renewal of Reserved Name, which is also used to renew. The Secretary of State doesn’t accept reservations by phone, so you must submit the application online or by mail.
How do I file a DBA in Kentucky?
Entities file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Kentucky Secretary of State for $20, and the registration lasts five years. Sole proprietors file their certificate of assumed name with the county clerk where they’re deemed a resident, under KRS 365.015(3). File a separate certificate for each assumed name.
When does a Kentucky assumed name expire?
A Kentucky assumed name registration filed with the Secretary of State is effective for five years. You can renew it by filing a renewal certificate within the six months before the expiration date. The Secretary of State isn’t required to send renewal reminders, so track the date yourself.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Secretary of State charges $40 to file Articles of Organization for an LLC. After that, the annual report costs $15 each year. A name reservation ($15) is optional. You’ll also need a registered agent with a Kentucky address to receive legal papers for the company.
Does a Kentucky business search reserve my name?
No. The Business Entity Search only shows names already on record. To hold a name before forming your business, file a $15 reservation, which lasts 120 days, or file your Articles of Organization, which secures the name once accepted. Also check federal trademarks before you commit.
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