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Business Name Availability Check

Find Out If a Business Name Is Taken Before You Register

Coming up with the right name can be tough, but once you find one you like, the next step is making sure it's available to register. Our name availability check helps you find out if the name you want is already taken. And if you decide to incorporate with us, your name check is free.*

* You will receive a coupon for $5 off your incorporation order.

Why should I complete a business name search?

Availability

Find out if a business name is already being used before you attempt to register. You can also reserve a business name for a later time to prevent someone else from registering it.

Save time and money

Avoid wasting time and money spent on creative assets, domain names, or a logo for a business name that you will not be able to obtain.

Why You Should Perform a Business Name Availability Check

Selecting a name for your business is one of the first, and arguably one of the most important decisions you will need to make. Your business name needs to be unique and represent your business and yours alone. You may be thinking of buying a domain name, creating some business cards, or hiring a designer to create your logo. Before you spend your hard earned money, it is wise to first find out if the name you would like to use is available.

How Do I Find Out If A Business Name Is Available?

We will conduct a extensive business name search on your behalf to help you determine if your desired business name is available for use in your state before you spend valuable time and money creating assets for a name you can not obtain. Our business name check is extensive and accurate, so you can register your name without worry. Don't take any chances, make sure your business name is available for registration.

What Happens If The Name I Want To Use Is Already Taken?

Sometimes your business name may be already be in use by another company. In such instances, you will need to choose a new corporate or LLC name that does not conflict with an existing business name in the jurisdiction where you are incorporating. Once you have selected a new name, you can conduct another business name search here.

What If My Business Name Is Available And I Am Ready To Register?

Hundreds of new businesses open their doors every day, so business name availability changes frequently. If your name is available and you choose to form a corporation or LLC with MyCorporation, we deduct the cost of your name search from your formation package. If you decide to purchase one of our incorporation packages, a name search is already included with your purchase.

What If I'm Not Ready to Incorporate or Form an LLC?

If you are not quite ready to register your business yet, we can help you protect your name for future use with a business name reservation, where we will file your name with the state and put it on hold for a pre determined amount of time (varies by state but generally 60 - 90 days). Finding that a name is available is not an approval of the name by the state, and is not a determination that a name satisfies any requirement of law. This is why it is a wise decision to reserve your name if you think you may want to use it in the near future.

Benefits of Using MyCorporation's Service

Checking if your business name is available before filing can save you a lot of time and unnecessary back and forth with the state. Our name availability check takes the guesswork out of the process by helping you confirm whether the name you want is open for use before you start your registration. It's a simple and affordable way to avoid delays, and if you decide to move forward with your incorporation or LLC formation through MyCorporation, we'll even credit the cost of the name check toward your order. It's a small step that makes starting your business a whole lot easier.

Frequently asked questions

A name availability check is NOT required before forming your corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC). However, it may be wise to reserve a corporate or LLC name if you are not yet ready to form the entity at this time or have some reason for delaying its formation. When you form an LLC or corporation with MyCorporation, a business name search is included with our service, and will be conducted on your behalf as part of your formation package before we attempt to file.

You will receive a notification from one of our staff members to the email address you provided with the results of your name availability check within 1 to 2 business days. Keep in mind that when state offices are closed due to holidays, there may be a slight delay.

If you want to change the name of your business, a business name check is a great first step to ensure that the new name is available for registration. Once you have confirmed that the name you want to use is available, you will need to file an amendment to your Articles of Incorporation/Organization. If you choose to use MyCorporation to file the amendment, we will automatically conduct that business name search for you before we file, there is no need for an additional search.

It depends on where the businesses are registered and the type of services they offer. In many cases, two businesses can use the same name if they're in different states or industries. However, if a name is trademarked or already in use by a business offering similar products or services, it can create conflicts and potential legal issues.
It usually takes a few business days for the state to process a name reservation request, but the timeline can vary depending on the state's workload and filing system. Some states offer expedited services for an additional fee, while others process everything in the order it's received.
Not at all. MyCorporation offers a name availability check for just $5, making it one of the easiest and most affordable steps you can take before starting your business. It's a small investment that can help you avoid much bigger issues down the road.

If you experience any difficulty in accessing our content, please contact us at 877.692.6772 or email us at accessibility@mycorporation.com.

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