Is Your Business Name Available? Do a Corporate Name Search
Your business name is one of your company’s most valuable assets, and it’s a legal requirement for tax and registration purposes. Before you register an LLC or Corporation, you should confirm whether your desired name is legally available in your state.
CorpNet’s free Corporate Name Search tool makes it easy to find out if your name is available, saving you the time and cost of submitting formation paperwork under a name you can’t legally use.
Why Confirming Your Business Name’s Availability Is So Important
When registering a business entity (such as an LLC or Corporation) with the state, the business name on the entity formation paperwork becomes your company’s legal name. That name must be used on bank accounts, contracts, government forms, and in other official records.
Your business’s name helps to distinguish your company from others. To prevent confusion, states have rules that restrict businesses (particularly those that provide similar goods and services) from registering an entity under a legal business name that is the same as or deceptively similar to another entity’s legal name.
If your proposed name conflicts with another registered business, the state will likely reject your filing without reimbursing you for the filing fee. Conducting a corporate name search before submitting your entity formation paperwork can help you avoid rework, filing delays, and unnecessary costs.
Four Steps for Performing a Free Corporate Name Search
It’s simple and straightforward to check if your desired business name is available:
- Enter the required information into our online form. You’ll need to provide:
- Your contact information (first name, last name, email address, phone number)
- The name you would like to use as your legal business name
- The state where your business entity will be based
- The business entity type you intend to create (for example: LLC, S Corporation, C Corporation, Nonprofit Corporation, Sole Proprietor, Partnership)
- Our agents will search the appropriate databases to verify your business name’s availability. You will receive an email confirming that we have received your request.
- A CorpNet specialist will contact you (typically on the next business day) to share the search results and walk you through your options.
- If you’re not quite ready to form your entity, consider reserving your business name. That will ensure no one else can claim your business name before you do.
Business Name Search
FAQs About Business Names and Corporate Name Searches
Are there restrictions on what I can call my business?
Yes, besides ensuring your business name isn’t already in use by another registered entity in your state, you’ll also need to follow your state’s naming rules. Most states prohibit names that will mislead people into thinking a business is a financial institution, government agency, school, or licensed professional practice unless it has obtained proper authorization.
Words such as “Bank,” “Trust,” “FBI,” “Treasury,” “Bureau,” “Doctor,” “Attorney,” and “University” are commonly prohibited.
Also, most states require LLCs and Corporations to use an appropriate entity designator at the end of their registered names, such as “LLC,” “Limited,” “Inc.,” “Incorporated,” etc.
States’ rules vary, so confirm your state’s requirements with your Secretary of State or Department of State Office. You may be able to find that information on the government’s website.
Will a Corporate Name Search also let me know if anyone has trademarked the name?
No. A state corporate name search only checks for business names registered with that state. It does not identify names protected by federal or state trademarks. While the name you desire might not already be registered as another business’s legal name, someone may have trademarked the name, meaning they have exclusive rights to use it in commerce. Federal trademarks apply nationwide, while state trademarks apply only within one state.
CorpNet’s Comprehensive Trademark Search will allow you to determine whether your desired business name is registered as a federal trademark with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) or at the state level.
How is a corporate name different from a DBA?
Your corporate name is your company’s official, legal business name. It’s the one registered with the state when forming your LLC or Corporation. A Doing Business As (DBA) name is a fictitious name that allows you to operate under a different publicly facing name.
A DBA can be helpful if a company’s legal name isn’t memorable and the business owner wants to use a catchier name. For example, suppose a day spa owner registers the legal name J. Smith, LLC. That’s not particularly exciting or descriptive of what the business is all about, so she files the name “Renew and Revive Spa and Salon” as a DBA.
DBAs are also useful when you launch new product lines or operate a franchise under a national brand name different from your registered business name.
Imagine an automotive repair service shop owner, operating Antonio and Sons Auto Care, Inc., wants to expand into classic car restorations. To differentiate that specialty service from its core business services, Antonio might file a DBA to use the name “A+ Classic Car Restorations.”
Independent franchise location owners typically register an LLC or Corporation with a legal name of their choice but market their business under a DBA reflecting the franchisor’s brand. One real-world example of that is Burger King®. For instance, one franchisee has a registered business entity under the legal name of S. J. Quickbite, Inc., but they are allowed to brand their store as “Burger King” because they filed a DBA.
Will CorpNet’s Corporate Name Search show me if anyone is using the business name as a DBA?
Where available, our Corporate Name Search may identify DBAs or trade names. However, DBA filings are often maintained at the county or local level and may not be included in all state databases. A state might allow two businesses to use the same name when one has registered the name as its legal corporate name and the other has filed to use it as a DBA. In other words, as long as the name is the legally registered corporate name for just one business entity, another company might receive authorization to use it as a DBA (unless another company has trademarked the name).
Can I reserve a business name before registering my business?
Yes. Most states will allow you to reserve a business name for a short period (usually 30 to 120 days) by filing a name reservation form and paying a small fee. This gives you time to complete your business formation paperwork while protecting your chosen name from being claimed by someone else before you officially form your entity.
What should I do if my preferred name is already taken?
If your desired name is unavailable, try slight variations to differentiate it. For example, you could add a geographic modifier (such as “Greater Cleveland Consulting Group”) or a descriptive word that clarifies your products or services. Be careful to avoid names that are too similar to others, non-compliant with your state’s rules, or infringe on existing trademarks.
After I use your Corporate Name Search tool, how else can CorpNet help me start my business?
CorpNet supports you at every stage of business formation and compliance. We can help you reserve your business name, handle the preparation and filing of your LLC formation or incorporation documents, apply for an EIN, file an initial report, obtain business license and permits, complete payroll tax registrations, and stay compliant as your business grows.
