A business name search checks whether the name you want is available before you register it. Start with the business entity database run by the Secretary of State (or equivalent office) in the state where you will form your company, since your LLC or corporation name must be distinguishable from every name already on file there. Then search federal trademarks at the USPTO and check that the matching domain and social media handles are free. State searches are free in most states as of October 2026, and a search alone does not reserve or guarantee a name.
Below: the four checks to run, the naming rules most states share, how name reservations and DBAs work, and links to the official search for all 50 states.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services of 2026
If you’d rather have a service file for you, these are the LLC formation services we recommend in 2026, ranked. Prices are as published in October 2026.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price (first year / renewal) | Registered agent included? | Annual report filing? | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | An all-in-one price that doesn’t change | $199 + state fee / $199 per year | Yes, every year | Yes, prepared and filed | Formation filing, registered agent, EIN application, annual report. No add-on menu. |
| 2 | Northwest Registered Agent | Lowest upfront cost with privacy | $39 + state fee / $125 per year (registered agent) | Yes, first year; then $125/year | No; $100 + state fee per report | Formation, Northwest’s address on filings, mail scanning, annual report reminders, domain, website and phone tools. |
| 3 | Bizee (formerly Incfile) | A free or low-cost one-time package | $0, $199 or $299 one-time + state fee / registered agent $149 per year | Yes, first year; then $149/year | No; separate service (see site) | Standard adds EIN, operating agreement and faster processing; Premium adds contracts, domain and email, business phone. |
| 4 | ZenBusiness | Annual report filing bundled into the plan | $0, $199 or $299 + state fee / Pro $199, Premium $299 per year | No; add-on $199/year ($99 in year one) | Yes on Pro and Premium; Starter gets an optional free first year | Pro: EIN, operating agreement template, Worry-Free Compliance. |
| 5 | LegalZoom | Owners who want access to advisors | $0, $249 or $299 + state fees / see site | No; $249/year | No; $99 + state fee per filing, or $199/year | Managed Service: EIN, operating agreement, licenses and permits report, 30-day advisor trial. |
| 6 | Inc Authority | $0 formation if you can skip the upsells | $0 + state fees / see site | Yes, first year; renewal see site | Not listed | LLC filing, EIN, first-year registered agent, website, bank account setup help. |
See the full comparison, with details on each service: Best LLC Formation Services of 2026.
Business name search at a glance
| Check | Where to search | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| State entity names | Your state’s business entity database (links below) | Whether an LLC, corporation or other entity already uses the same or a similar name in that state |
| Federal trademarks | USPTO trademark search | Whether a registered or pending trademark could conflict with your name nationwide |
| Domains and social handles | namechk domain and username checker | Whether the .com and social media usernames are available |
| Assumed names (DBAs) | State, county or city records, depending on the state | Whether a trade name is already registered locally |
How do you do a business name search?
- Search your state’s business entity database. Open the official search for your state from the list below, type the core words of your name without “LLC” or “Inc.,” and review exact and similar matches.
- Search federal trademarks. Use the free USPTO trademark search to look for the same or confusingly similar marks used for related goods or services.
- Check domains and social handles. Run the name through the namechk checker to see which domains and usernames are taken across dozens of platforms.
- Check local trade names. In states where DBAs are filed with counties, search the county clerk’s records too.
- Register or reserve the name. File your formation documents, or a name reservation if you are not ready, so another business cannot register the name in your state first.
How to search your state’s business name database
Every state keeps a public, searchable list of the entities registered there, usually on the Secretary of State’s website. Search tools differ, but most let you search by name, entity number or registered agent. A few tips make the results more reliable:
- Search the distinctive words only. “Blue Heron Coffee” finds “Blue Heron Coffee Roasters LLC” and “The Blue Heron Coffee Co.”
- Try variations: plurals, abbreviations, numbers written as words and common misspellings.
- Look at inactive and dissolved entities as well. Some states free up those names right away; others hold them for a period.
- Remember that small differences rarely count. Adding a designator such as “LLC,” changing “the” to “a” or adding punctuation usually does not make a name distinguishable.
A clear search result is a good sign, not a guarantee: the filing office makes the final decision when it reviews your formation documents. If you are forming a company, our how to start an LLC guide covers the filing that follows the search.
How to check for trademark conflicts
A state registration protects your entity name only in that state. A federal trademark protects a brand name nationally, and a business that already holds a trademark can object to a similar name used for related products even if your state approved your LLC name. That is why the SBA treats entity names, DBAs and trademarks as separate, legally independent registrations.
The USPTO’s searching guidance recommends asking two questions about each result: is the mark confusingly similar to yours in look, sound or meaning, and are the goods or services related to yours? It also warns that marks in a different class can still be related, so run several searches with exact wording, alternate spellings and broader terms. The USPTO cannot tell you whether your name is safe to use; for a high-stakes brand, a trademark attorney can run a full clearance search.
How to check domain names and social media handles
Most customers will look for your business online first, so the name should work as a domain and as a username. Enter your preferred name in the namechk domain and username checker to see whether the .com and other extensions are available and whether the handle is free on social networks. If the exact .com is taken, test short variations, or use the domain name generator for alternatives.
Still looking for the name itself? The namechk business name generator turns a few keywords into a long list of options, and the brand name generator focuses on shorter, brandable names. Shortlist the ones that pass all four checks.
What naming rules apply to a business name?
Naming rules are set by state law, but most states share the same core rules for LLCs and corporations:
- Distinguishable: the name must differ from other entity names on file in the state.
- Designator: LLC names need “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.”; corporation names need a word such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company” or an abbreviation.
- Restricted words: words such as “bank,” “trust,” “insurance” or names of licensed professions usually need approval from a regulator or proof of licensing.
- Prohibited names: names that suggest a government agency, mislead the public about the business’s purpose, or imply a different entity type are refused.
Each state publishes its own list, and the state pages below summarize them. Sole proprietors and partnerships that do not form an entity follow DBA rules instead.
Can you reserve a business name?
Most states let you reserve an available name for a limited period before you file, for a fee. Massachusetts, for example, charges $30 for an LLC name reservation (950 CMR 112.00). Reservation lengths and fees vary, and some states allow renewals.
A reservation is only worth it if you need time before filing, for example while you line up partners or financing. If you are ready, filing your Articles of Organization or Incorporation secures the name in your state when the filing is approved.
Do you need a DBA?
A DBA (“doing business as,” also called an assumed name, trade name or fictitious business name) lets a business operate under a name other than its legal name. Sole proprietors who do not use their own name usually need one, and an LLC or corporation needs one to sell under a brand that differs from its registered name.
Where you file depends on the state. The SBA notes that a DBA may be registered with the state, the county or the city, and that a DBA by itself does not give legal protection for the name. Your state page below explains where and how to file.
Tips for choosing a strong business name
- Leave room to grow. A name tied to one product or one city can become a constraint later.
- Make it easy to spell and say. If people cannot spell it after hearing it, they will struggle to find you online.
- Skip acronyms unless you already have brand recognition; they are hard to remember and often shared by other companies.
- Check meanings. Search the name in other languages and slang dictionaries before you commit.
- Test it. Share a shortlist with people in your target market and ask what each name suggests.
- Run all four checks (state, trademark, domain, social) before buying signs or printing anything.
Business name search by state
Choose your state for its official business search, naming rules, name reservation fee and DBA filing office.
Related guides
- How to start an LLC: register your name by forming an LLC.
- How to start a business: structures, taxes, licenses and insurance.
- What is a registered agent?: the agent you will name in your formation filing.
FAQs about business name searches
How do I check if a business name is available?
Search the business entity database on your Secretary of State’s website for the same or similar names, then search federal trademarks at tmsearch.uspto.gov. Next, check whether the matching domain and social media handles are free with a tool like namechk. If the name passes all three, register it by filing your formation documents or reserve it with the state.
Is a business name search free?
Searching most state business entity databases is free, and so are the USPTO trademark search and namechk’s domain and username checks. Some states charge for certified records or detailed reports, and Texas notes a $1 fee for each search through its SOSDirect system. Costs come later, when you reserve a name or file formation documents.
Does a business name search reserve the name?
No. Searching only shows what is already on file; it does not hold the name for you. To protect a name in your state, file your formation documents or submit a name reservation and pay the state fee. Even a clean search is not a guarantee, because the filing office decides whether the name is distinguishable when it reviews your filing.
Can two businesses have the same name?
Within one state, two registered entities generally cannot share the same or a confusingly similar name. Businesses in different states can, because each state keeps its own register. However, a federal trademark owner can stop others from using a confusingly similar name for related goods or services anywhere in the U.S., which is why a trademark search matters.
Is registering an LLC name the same as a trademark?
No. Registering an LLC or corporation name with your state only prevents another entity from registering the same name in that state. A federal trademark registered with the USPTO protects a brand name nationwide for specific goods or services. Many businesses form an entity first and file a trademark application once the brand is established.
What is the difference between a legal business name and a DBA?
The legal name is the exact name on your formation documents, or your own name if you are a sole proprietor. A DBA, also called an assumed or fictitious name, is a different name you trade under. Depending on the state, DBAs are filed with the state, a county or a city, and a DBA alone does not protect the name.
What should I do if my business name is taken?
Change the distinctive part of the name rather than just adding LLC or a plural, which states usually reject. Try a different descriptive word, a location or a coined word, then search again. A business name generator can suggest alternatives quickly. Also check whether the matching domain and handles are free before you settle on the new name.
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