Business Name Checker
How do you find the perfect business name and make sure another company in your state hasn't taken it already? Simple: use Incofile's name search. Tell us the name you want and we check whether that LLC or corporation name is available.
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We're checking against the state registry. You'll get an email with the result, usually within one business day.
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Why a Great Business Name Is Important
Your business name shapes how customers see your brand before they know anything else about you. A short, fitting and distinctive name shows confidence, tells people what you do and gets talked about. It's the foundation your whole brand is built on, so it's worth getting right before you file.
FAQs
Do I need a distinctive name for my business?
Yes. Every state requires an LLC or corporation name to be distinguishable from the names already on its register. A distinctive name also makes your brand easier to recognise and lowers the risk of a dispute with a similar business in your industry.
Are there rules on what makes a business name unique?
Yes. Your name should not be too close to an existing business name, should avoid generic industry terms on their own, must not infringe a trademark, must follow your state's naming rules (including the correct ending such as "LLC" or "Inc."), and should be different enough that customers will not confuse it with another company.
How do I look up my proposed LLC or corporation name?
Use the Business Name Search form on this page. Enter the name you want, the entity type and the state. Our team checks the state business registry for matches and emails you the result, usually within one business day. If it is free, we can form your company with that name straight away.
What if I don't want to do business under my legal entity name?
Most states let you trade under a different name, known as an assumed name, fictitious name, trade name or "doing business as" (DBA). Incofile can file your DBA with the state for you.
How can I change my legal business name?
File Articles of Amendment with your state to change the name on your Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation. Our Amendment service prepares and files it on your behalf.
Can I protect the name of my LLC or corporation?
Once your company is formed, nobody else can register the same name in that state. For wider protection you can register the name as a trademark. Note that a DBA on its own does not protect a business name.
We'll Take Care
of the Entity Search
We check the state registry and tell you if your business name is available in your state.
Search name availabilityReady when you are
Make Your Name Official
Forming your LLC or corporation reserves the name in your state. Choose your package, and Incofile prepares and files everything for you, with your documents in one dashboard for life.
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