To check whether a business name is available in Delaware, use the Division of Corporations’ free online name search at icis.corp.delaware.gov. The tool runs your proposed name against every active and inactive entity on file with the Secretary of State, including corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and statutory trusts. If the name clears, you can reserve it for 120 days by paying a $75 fee.1Delaware Division of Corporations. Name Reservation Applications
Running the Search
The search tool, called ICIS (Integrated Corporation Information System), is free and returns results in real time.2Delaware Division of Corporations. Delaware Division of Corporations – Name Reservation The flow is short:
- Read the Division’s naming requirements on the opening page and check the disclaimer box.
- Pick your entity type. Options cover corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, statutory trusts, general partnerships, and registered series for both LLCs and LPs.2Delaware Division of Corporations. Delaware Division of Corporations – Name Reservation
- Enter only the distinctive part of your name. Leave off “Inc.,” “LLC,” and similar endings. The system appends the correct suffix based on the entity type you picked.
- Enter the CAPTCHA and submit.
The field is not case sensitive. No matches typically means the name is available and you can move straight to the reservation step. Similar names on the list mean you need to look harder at whether yours is different enough under Delaware’s rules.
What “Available” Actually Means
Delaware requires every business name to be distinguishable from every other name already on file with the Division of Corporations, regardless of entity type. For corporations the rule lives in Title 8, Section 102 of the Delaware Code;3Justia Law. Delaware Code 8-102 – Contents of Certificate of Incorporation for LLCs it’s Title 6, Section 18-102.4Justia Law. Delaware Code 6-18-102 – Name Set Forth in Certificate Both apply the same standard.
Cosmetic changes do not make a name distinguishable. Swapping punctuation, changing spacing, or sticking “the” on the front will not get you past the Division’s administrative review. “Blue Water Inc.” and “Blue-Water, Inc.” read as the same name. You need the words themselves to differ.
One exception matters for acquisitions and rebrands: you can use a name that would otherwise conflict if the entity already holding it gives written consent, and that consent is filed with the Secretary of State.3Justia Law. Delaware Code 8-102 – Contents of Certificate of Incorporation The Division may also waive distinguishability where a corporation can show it or a predecessor has made substantial prior use of the name.
Required Entity Suffixes
Your name has to carry a word that signals the entity type, and the requirement depends on what you’re forming.
Corporations
A Delaware corporation’s name must contain one of these words or an abbreviation: Association, Company, Corporation, Club, Foundation, Fund, Incorporated, Institute, Society, Union, Syndicate, or Limited.3Justia Law. Delaware Code 8-102 – Contents of Certificate of Incorporation Corp., Inc., and Co. all qualify. Foreign-language equivalents in Roman characters also work. In narrow cases the Division will waive the suffix: when the corporation certifies total assets of at least $10 million, or when it’s a nonprofit nonstock corporation that is also an association of professionals. Even with a waiver, the name cannot look like a natural person’s name.
LLCs
An LLC name must include Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., or LLC. There’s no waiver. You may optionally add words like Company, Association, Club, Foundation, Fund, Institute, Society, Union, Syndicate, Limited, Public Benefit, or Trust.4Justia Law. Delaware Code 6-18-102 – Name Set Forth in Certificate
Words That Trigger Extra Approval
Certain words will stall or block your filing unless a specific state agency signs off first. The LLC statute flatly prohibits “bank” or any variation unless the entity is actually a bank supervised by the State Bank Commissioner, a subsidiary of a bank or savings association, or a company regulated under federal banking laws.4Justia Law. Delaware Code 6-18-102 – Name Set Forth in Certificate Similar limits apply to corporations.
Other words commonly flagged include “trust,” “insurance,” “university,” and “college.” Names using “college” or “university” require approval from the Delaware Department of Education. If your name touches a regulated industry, plan for an extra approval step and extra time.
Reserving the Name
Once the search confirms availability, you can reserve the name through the same ICIS system. The reservation costs $75 and holds the name for 120 days, and the fee is the same across every entity type.1Delaware Division of Corporations. Name Reservation Applications You’ll provide your name and mailing address so the reservation ties to a specific individual or firm. Payment runs through the state’s secure online gateway. After processing, you get a confirmation page with a reservation number. Keep it; you’ll reference it on your actual formation documents.
During the 120 days, no one else can take the name. If you don’t file in time, you can re-reserve by submitting another application and paying $75 again.1Delaware Division of Corporations. Name Reservation Applications The Division doesn’t cap how many times you can renew. Separate forms on the Division’s website let you transfer a reservation to a different person or entity, or cancel it.
When to Pay for Expedited Processing
Standard filings process in the order received, which can take several business days when volume is heavy. Delaware offers three faster tiers on top of the $75 fee:5Delaware Division of Corporations. Expedited Services
- Next-day (24-hour) service: $50 to $100 extra. Must arrive by 7:00 p.m. EST; completed the next business day.
- Same-day service: $100 to $200 extra. Must arrive before 2:00 p.m. EST.
- Two-hour service: $500 extra. Must arrive by 7:00 p.m. EST; completed within two hours.
The fee range within each tier depends on the filing type. Two-hour service is costly but worth it when a deal or deadline hinges on having the name locked.
A Note on Trade Names
The ICIS search and the $75 reservation cover your legal entity name only. If you plan to operate under a different name, say “Smith Holdings LLC” doing business as “Harbor Coffee,” that trade name is a separate registration. As of February 2, 2026, the Delaware Division of Revenue runs a statewide trade name registry through the Delaware One Stop portal; the fee is $25 and a valid Delaware Business License is required.6Delaware One Stop. Register or Modify Your Delaware Trade Names Checking entity-name availability on ICIS does not check or reserve trade names.