Arkansas business entity search and name check

What the Arkansas search covers

Corporations, LLCs (including series LLCs), limited partnerships, nonprofits, cooperatives, banks and insurance companies. Fictitious names (DBAs) can be searched on the same form. Trademarks and charities have their own searches on the same site.

Each record has a Filing #. Search by number on the Business Entity Search.

How to read Arkansas results

Arkansas uses its own status labels. We always show the official wording; here is what the common ones mean according to the state:

A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.

Arkansas business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, limited company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C., LC, ('Limited' may be abbreviated 'Ltd.', 'company' may be 'Co.'). A corporation uses one of: corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., co., ltd..

Your name must be distinguishable from names already on the Secretary of State's records. Since Act 256 of 2023, Arkansas uses this narrower test instead of asking whether names are "confusingly similar", and only the differences listed in the law are ignored. (A.C.A. 4-38-112 (LLC); 4-27-401 (corp), as amended by Act 256 of 2023) Source: arkleg.state.ar.us

When comparing names, Arkansas disregards: the entity-type ending (LLC, Inc., Corp., LP, Ltd. and similar); "a", "an" or "the"; "and" versus "&"; singular, plural or possessive forms; punctuation and symbols. Our name check applies these same rules.

Words that need approval or are restricted

Using a similar name with consent

Allowed. The business already using the name must consent in writing and agree to change its own name to something distinguishable. A corporation can also use the name with a certified final court judgment establishing its right to it (A.C.A. 4-38-112(d); 4-27-401(d)).

Reserving a name in Arkansas

Arkansas lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $22.50, held for 120 days. An LLC name reservation can be renewed once for another 120 days.

File form RN-06 online ($22.50) or on paper ($25). A reservation can be transferred to someone else with form TRN-06, at the same price.

Arkansas name reservation Source: sos.arkansas.gov

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only AR SOS BCS can.

Forming an LLC in Arkansas

Document

Certificate of Organization (Articles of Organization), Form LL-01, plus Franchise Tax Registration (no fee)

State filing fee

$45
$45 online or $50 on paper. Most Secretary of State forms cost about 10% less when filed online. You also file a Franchise Tax Registration with the certificate, at no charge.

File online

AR SOS BCS filing

Processing

Most filings are completed within two business days of receipt. Annual reports take one to two weeks.

Registered agent

Your registered agent must be located at a street address in Arkansas. A PO box or mail drop isn't allowed (A.C.A. 4-20-101 and following).

Out-of-state LLC registering here

$270 (Application for Certificate of Registration of Foreign LLC (FL-01) + Franchise Tax Registration)

Fees change. Confirm them on the official Arkansas fee schedule before you file.

Keeping a Arkansas LLC in good standing

Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report: $150. Due on or before May 1 each year, covering the previous calendar year. There are no extensions. Late fee: $25. Source: sos.arkansas.gov

Arkansas's franchise tax is a tax on the privilege of operating as a corporation or LLC (A.C.A. 26-54-101), and you file and pay it with the Secretary of State, not the revenue department. Corporations file a separate Annual Corporation Franchise Tax Report (https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/bcs/Corp1_FT_2026.pdf).

A late report also accrues interest of 0.000274 per day (about 0.03%) on the tax and penalty. A report counts as on time if it is received by close of business May 1 or postmarked by USPS by midnight May 1; dates from a private postage meter don't count. Unpaid franchise tax leads to revocation or administrative dissolution (source: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/bcs/LLC1_FT_2026.pdf).

Proof of status: Certificate of Good Standing (also Certificate of Existence) ($25). Source: sos.arkansas.gov

Assumed names (DBAs)

To use a fictitious name, file an Application for Fictitious Name with the Secretary of State: form DN-18 for an Arkansas LLC or corporation, or F-18 for an out-of-state LLC. It costs $22.50 online or $25 on paper. A corporation can't do business under a fictitious name until it has filed. Arkansas corporations must also file with their county clerk unless their registered office is in Pulaski County. The Secretary of State keeps no records of sole proprietors or other unincorporated businesses. Source: sos.arkansas.gov

Good to know about Arkansas

• Every LLC pays a flat $150 franchise tax each year by May 1, filed with the Secretary of State rather than the revenue department. There are no extensions. Source: sos.arkansas.gov
• Since Act 256 of 2023, a name only has to be distinguishable on the state's records. Arkansas no longer rejects names for being "confusingly similar". Source: arkleg.state.ar.us
• Filing online costs about 10% less than paper: $45 instead of $50 to form an LLC, and $270 instead of $300 to register an out-of-state LLC. Source: sos.arkansas.gov
• Closing an LLC takes a Statement of Dissolution (LL-04) plus a final $150 franchise tax report. Source: sos.arkansas.gov
• The state says a name isn't guaranteed until your filing is file-marked, and being granted a name doesn't give you exclusive rights to it. Source: sos.arkansas.gov

Sources and accuracy

We checked this page against official Arkansas sources on October 30, 2026. Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only AR SOS BCS can change an official record.