A New York Secretary of State business search uses the Department of State’s Corporation and Business Entity Database. Search the name you want and check whether a corporation, LLC, partnership or reserved name already uses it. If nothing on file is the same once you set aside endings like LLC or Inc., the name is probably available, and the Division of Corporations confirms it when you file.
New York has costs other states don’t: a new LLC must publish notice of its formation in two newspapers and file a $50 Certificate of Publication. A name reservation costs $20 and lasts only 60 days, and an LLC’s assumed name certificate costs $25.
Updated October 2026.
Go to:
Best LLC Formation Services in New York (2026)
Our ranked picks for forming your LLC once your name is clear in New York are below, starting with Mainstay Filing. Each entry lists the yearly price and what the service covers.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | NY Registered Agent.org | New York registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | New York Registered Agent.ai | New York registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in New York. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. NY Registered Agent.org
NY Registered Agent.org is a New York registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. New York Registered Agent.ai
New York Registered Agent.ai is a New York registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
New York business name search at a glance
| Item | New York details (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | New York Department of State, Division of Corporations (Albany) |
| Search tool | Corporation and Business Entity Database |
| LLC Articles of Organization | $200 (Form DOS-1336-f) |
| Publication requirement | Within 120 days of formation; then a $50 Certificate of Publication (LLC Law § 206) |
| Name reservation | $20; 60 days; up to two 60-day extensions |
| Assumed name (DBA) | Entities: certificate with the Department of State, $25 (plus county fees for corporations). Sole proprietors: county clerk |
| Biennial statement | $9 every two years, in the month the LLC was formed |
Fees are set by LLC Law § 1101 and General Business Law § 130. Mainstay Filing’s New York LLC cost guide adds up formation, publication and ongoing costs.
How to check business name availability in New York
1. Go to the Department of State’s entity database
Open the Corporation and Business Entity Database. New York’s Business Express service points to it as the place to find an entity’s exact name and DOS ID (Business Express).
2. Search for the business name
Enter the core words of the name without LLC or Inc. “Hudson Valley Cider” will turn up “Hudson Valley Cider LLC,” “Hudson Valley Cider Co., Inc.” and other close matches.
3. Check for names that aren’t distinguishable
Under LLC Law § 204, an LLC name must be distinguishable on the Department of State’s records from existing LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships and reserved names. Changing only the ending won’t make a name different.
4. Request a written search if you want one
The Department of State also performs written name availability searches for $5 per name, a useful check before you pay for publication.
5. Watch for restricted words
Some words need another agency’s sign-off before the Division of Corporations will file them (see the rules below).
For more ideas, try Namechk’s business name generator.
New York business name rules and restricted words
- LLC designator: “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” (§ 204).
- Corporate designator: “Corporation,” “Incorporated” or “Limited,” or an abbreviation (BCL § 301).
- Financial and professional words: terms such as bank, trust or insurance, and professional terms, need approval from the Superintendent of Financial Services or the relevant licensing authority.
- Education words: “school,” “academy,” “institute” and similar terms need the Commissioner of Education’s consent.
- Other agencies: “exchange” needs Attorney General approval, and “blind” or “handicapped” needs the Department of Social Services.
- Prohibited outright for corporations: phrases like “board of trade,” “chamber of commerce,” “state police” and “urban development.”
How to reserve a business name in New York
- Form: Application for Reservation of Name (LLC Law § 205), mailed to the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231.
- Fee: $20.
- Term: 60 days, with up to two 60-day extensions requested in writing before it expires; each extension costs $20 (Business Express).
A 60-day window is short, so reserve only when you’re close to filing your Articles of Organization. A reservation protects the name on the state’s records, not as a trademark or domain.
Check trademarks, domains and social handles
The Department of State’s database lists entities, not federal trademarks. Search the USPTO trademark database, especially if you’ll sell beyond New York. The Department of State also registers state trademarks.
Then make sure you can claim the name online. Namechk checks domains and social media usernames together, and the domain name generator suggests alternatives.
We created a tool that makes it easy.
How to file an assumed name (DBA) in New York
New York calls a DBA an assumed name and requires a Certificate of Assumed Name under General Business Law § 130. Where you file depends on who you are (Business Express guide):
| Filer | Where | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | Department of State (Form DOS-1338-f) | $25 |
| Corporation or LP | Department of State | $25 plus county fees: $100 per New York City county and $25 per other county where it does business (CPLR § 8021) |
| Sole proprietor or general partnership | County clerk in each county where you do business | Set by the county |
- Term: a one-time filing that doesn’t need renewal; amend it within 30 days of a change. Amendments and discontinuances cost $25 at the state.
- Display: keep a certified copy of the certificate at your place of business.
- No publication: assumed names don’t have to be advertised.
Steps to register your New York business
Once your name is clear, our New York LLC guide walks through each filing.
- File Articles of Organization (Form DOS-1336-f) online or by mail. The fee is $200 (Business Express).
- Designate an agent for service of process. In New York the Secretary of State automatically serves as every LLC’s agent for service of process (§ 301); a separate registered agent is optional (§ 302). Mainstay Filing includes registered agent service in its formation package (New York costs); our New York registered agent guide explains when one helps.
- Publish within 120 days. Run a notice once a week for six weeks in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) designated by the county clerk in the county of your office, then file the Certificate of Publication ($50). Until you do, the LLC’s authority to do business is suspended (§ 206).
- Get an EIN and file biennial statements. Apply for an EIN with the IRS, and file the $9 biennial statement every two years in your formation month. The New York start-a-business guide covers taxes and licenses.
FAQs
How do I search for a business name in New York?
Use the New York Department of State’s Corporation and Business Entity Database at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry. Search the core words of your name without LLC or Inc. and review close matches. The Department of State also offers written name availability searches for $5 per name, and it makes the final decision when you file.
How long does a New York name reservation last?
A New York name reservation lasts 60 days and costs $20. You can request up to two 60-day extensions in writing before it expires, and Business Express lists a $20 fee for each. Reservation applications are mailed to the Division of Corporations in Albany.
Do I have to publish my LLC in New York?
Yes. Within 120 days of formation, a New York LLC must publish a notice once a week for six consecutive weeks in two newspapers, one daily and one weekly, chosen by the county clerk where the LLC’s office is located. It then files a Certificate of Publication with a $50 fee. Until it does, its authority to do business is suspended.
How do I register a DBA in New York?
File a Certificate of Assumed Name under General Business Law § 130. LLCs, corporations and limited partnerships file with the Department of State; the state fee is $25, and corporations also pay county fees. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file with the county clerk in each county where they do business.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New York?
The Department of State charges $200 for Articles of Organization and $50 for the Certificate of Publication. Newspaper publication costs extra and varies by county. After that, the LLC files a $9 biennial statement every two years. A name reservation ($20) and an assumed name ($25) are optional.
Does a New York business search include trademarks?
No. The Corporation and Business Entity Database covers entities on file with the Department of State. It doesn’t show federal trademarks, so search the USPTO database too. New York registers state trademarks separately. Also check that the domain and social media handles you want are available.
CHK_ YOUR NAME RIGHT NOW
Use our engine to quickly check your content right now!
Disclosure: We may earn a commission from services recommended on this page.
