Starting a small business can be very exciting. For some, it means quitting a 9 to 5 job to pursue their dreams. There are many things to consider when starting a business in North Dakota, one of the first being a good business name. The name you want should be available for you to use. We’ll show you how to find a name and check for its availability in North Dakota. Plus, we’ll provide helpful tips that can get your business off the ground.
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How to check business name availability in North Dakota
If you already thought of a name based on the information above or already had a name in mind before you read this article, it is time to check if the name you want for your business is free for you to use, and here is how:
1. Visit the North Dakota Secretary of State website
To find out if a name is available, you will need to visit the Secretary of State website in North Dakota and use their simple name search tool. This tool will allow you to search for registered businesses and names with pending business reservations, so you can determine if a name is not yet taken.
2. Type in the name you wish to use for your business
The simple name search tool is very straightforward and anyone can use it, even if you are not the tech-savvy type. You will find a search bar that is similar to search engines like Google or Bing. All you need to do is type the name you want to use and click on “Search.”
There are some advanced features, but you will not need them since you already know the name you are searching for.
3. Check the results
Searching a business name will take you to the results page, and if there are no results, that means you are in luck. The name you want for your business has no matches, meaning it is available for you to use. The next step is reserving the name to make sure you can use it whenever you are ready to register and operate your small business.
4. Consider reserving a name
After running a North Dakota business name search, you have two options: You can reserve a name or you can register the name. You should reserve the name if you aren’t planning to set up the business immediately.
North Dakota allows business owners to reserve a name for 12 months for $10.
To do so, you’ll fill out a quick form and provide the payment.
Again, you don’t need to reserve a name if you plan to officially set up your business with the state of North Dakota, but if you’re just doing some homework and plan to set up your business later, reserve the name now so it’s not taken when you’re ready.
5. Check domain name availability
We created a tool that makes it easy.
How to name your North Dakota business
Now that you know a little more about the business landscape in the state, it’s time to start generating a list of names for your business. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Write down basic details about your business
Start by creating a verbal picture of your business. Think about what your business will offer and who it will serve. Will you sell a specific product or service? Who’s going to buy it? Jot down a few details about your company as a starting point.
Next, start creating a list of adjectives that describe your business. Think in terms of keywords. What keywords would your customer use to find the product or service that you offer? Write them down.
2. Stay away from initials and hard-to-say words
There are plenty of businesses that include initials, like A&J Plumbing, but consider upping your game with something a bit more creative and descriptive.
The same goes for names that are hard to say. If your last name is Stackowaski, for example, it’s not conducive to a business name because it’s too hard to pronounce.
3. Don’t pigeon-hole your business
Be careful not to select a name that limits your company’s potential growth. Think about where your business will be in five, ten, even twenty years, and take that into consideration when creating a name.
A company named Bob’s Bargain Books, for example, is a good name, but what if they plan to sell vintage records and cassettes down the road? The name only refers to books, so when vintage music is added people won’t associate it with the store.
4. Consider using a name generator
At this point, you probably have a list of a few ideas. Rather than brainstorm a bunch of different combinations, why not try a name generator? You simply enter a few of the adjectives that you came up with into the search bar and you’ll get a list of possible names.
Name generators can take some of the hassles out of creating a name. Most name generators will only show you available names too, which is helpful.
Check out some of Namechk’s name generators below:
What kind of business structure is right for your North Dakota company?
As you research available business names in North Dakota, you’ll also want to think about what kind of business you want to establish. There are a handful of options to choose from, but some of the most common are Sole proprietorship and LLC.
- A sole proprietorship is ideal for small businesses with no employees that want to test their business out. There’s virtually no paperwork to set up this kind of business, which is a plus. However, a sole proprietorship is not a separate business entity, which means you’re financially and legally responsible for any problems that might arise.
- An LLC, or limited liability company, provides a certain amount of liability protection. Your personal assets and your business are separate with this business structure, which means if the business is sued or goes bankrupt, you will not be forced to use your personal cash reserves to bail the business out.
Steps to register your North Dakota business
Ready to set up your business in ND? Here’s what you do:
1. File your Articles of Organization
Visit the North Dakota Secretary of State website and fill out the Articles of Organization. To fill this out, you’ll need to have an available business name, address, and contact information.
2. Name a registered agent
You’ll also need to name a registered agent. A registered agent is the point-person for your company who will receive important documents like tax notices or legal documents.
A registered agent must be trustworthy and be available during regular business hours when documents are delivered. The business owner can serve as the registered agent in North Dakota, or another person or company can be named.
You might decide to name your accountant or co-founder, for example. You can also hire a registered agent service to serve in this role. Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Bizee are a few examples. These companies will receive documents on your behalf and notify you of their arrival.
3. Pay the filing fee
Every state charges a filing fee to file LLC formation documents with the government. In North Dakota, the cost is $135.
4. Wait for approval
North Dakota will review your application and typically provides approvals within five business days. Once approved, your business is officially set up.
Our picks of the best registered agent services
North Dakota small business facts
Before you learn how to choose a business name and check for its availability, here are some good-to-know small business statistics in North Dakota from the U.S. Business Administration:
- There are 72,202 small businesses in North Dakota, which is quite a few compared to other states.
- The small businesses in North Dakota generated over 195,000 jobs for their local residents.
- The accommodation and food services industry has the most number of small business employees at 30,462.
- Some of the industries with the highest number of employees in the state of North Dakota are, the retail and trade industry, the construction industry, and the health care and social assistance industry.
- The industry with the most number of firms is the real estate, rental, and leasing industry with a total of 8,603 small firms. It is closely followed by the retail and trade industry with a total of 8,591 small firms.
FAQs
To further help entrepreneurs, check out these frequently asked questions about starting a business in North Dakota:
Why is it so important to check on business name availability?
North Dakota will not allow two businesses in the state to have the same name. There are many reasons for this, but at its core, it’s to avoid any confusion. For example, if someone plans to sue Bob’s Fruit Stand and there are two of these companies in the state, things can get complicated quickly.
All businesses must have a unique name. And, you can’t just add a hyphen to a name to make it different. Each name must be “distinguishingly different.”
Can I use my internet domain name and register it as my business name?
The domain name is different from your registered business name, but many businesses do strive to make them the same.
To find an internet domain, you need to find one that’s available, much like you did with your business name. All domain names are unique, so it may take some time to find one that’s up for grabs.
If you want your domain name and company name to match, you might consider checking availability for both before making any decisions.
How do I verify the status of my business registration?
You can check the business record search, which is available and accessible when you visit the North Dakota Secretary of State website. All active entities and business registrations will show up in the database to make sure you do not use the business name of an entity with a pending business license.
Who should you contact if you have questions?
If you have questions, you can call the business division at 701-328-4284. You can also email the Secretary of State Business Division at [email protected] or mail their offices at Business Division Secretary of State 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 108 Bismarck, ND 69606-0500.
How long does it take for the state to approve a new business?
The duration of your business registration will depend on the high volume of the new business filings. When the filing has been received by the office, the business registration documents may take up to a week to be reviewed and processed.
Can I file business documents electronically in North Dakota?
Many of the business documents can be filed electronically at the Secretary of State website. However, there are some documents that you need to submit by visiting the offices or by mail. Here is a list of the documents you can e-file:
– Trade name
– Partnership fictitious name certificate
– Domestic and foreign limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability limited partnerships
Here are some of the documents that you cannot file electronically:
– Trademark
– Any service or process documents on the Secretary of State
– Domestic and foreign cooperative associations
Do independent contractors need anything else to do with the Secretary of State’s office?
If the cost or value per job you do exceeds the sum of $4,000, you will need to obtain a contractor’s license from the North Dakota Secretary of State office. Independent contractors have different types of licenses in North Dakota, so make sure you visit the contractor’s section on the Secretary of State Website to learn more.
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