How to Check If a Business Name Is Available in 2026: State-by-State Guide
Before you register your business, confirm your chosen name is not already taken in your state. This guide covers how to search business name availability across all 50 states with direct links to official Secretary of State databases and step-by-step instructions for Florida, New York, Texas, California, Illinois, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon.
Quick Answer: How to Check If a Business Name Is Taken
- Go to your state’s Secretary of State business search portal (see table below)
- Search the exact name you want — plus similar variations and keyword searches
- Check both active AND dissolved entities (some states hold dissolved names temporarily)
- Also search the USPTO federal trademark database at tmsearch.uspto.gov
- Optionally reserve the name (60–180 days) while you prepare formation documents
1. How Business Name Availability Works
Business name availability is determined at the state level. When you form an LLC, corporation, or other entity, your state’s Secretary of State maintains a registry of all legally registered business names. Your chosen name must be distinguishably different from all active registrations — not just identical matches. Most states reject names that differ only in capitalization, punctuation, or common filler words like “The,” “A,” or “&.”
If “Blue River Consulting LLC” is registered, “Blue River Consulting Co.” may be rejected even with a different entity suffix. Business name registrations are state-specific — not national. A name available in Florida may be taken in Texas. Check every state where you plan to operate.
Important: State Registration Does Not Equal Federal Trademark Protection
A state business name registration gives you the right to use that name in that state only. A company with a registered federal trademark on the same name may demand you stop using it even with a valid state registration. Always run a USPTO trademark search in addition to your state SOS search.
2. State-by-State SOS Business Name Search Links (All 50 States)
All name searches listed are free. Fees shown are for formal name reservations only.
| State | Official SOS Search Portal | Reservation Fee | Reservation Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | sos.alabama.gov | $28 | 120 days |
| Alaska | corporations.alaska.gov | $25 | 120 days |
| Arizona | ecorp.azcc.gov | $10 | 120 days |
| Arkansas | sos.arkansas.gov | $25 | 120 days |
| California | bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov | $10 | 60 days |
| Colorado | sos.state.co.us | $25 | 120 days |
| Connecticut | service.ct.gov/business | $60 | 120 days |
| Delaware | icis.corp.delaware.gov | $75 | 120 days |
| Florida | search.sunbiz.org | $35 | 120 days |
| Georgia | ecorp.sos.ga.gov | $25 | 30 days |
| Hawaii | hbe.ehawaii.gov | $10 | 120 days |
| Idaho | sosbiz.idaho.gov | $20 | 4 months |
| Illinois | apps.ilsos.gov | $25 | 90 days |
| Indiana | bsd.sos.in.gov | $20 | 120 days |
| Iowa | sos.iowa.gov | $10 | 120 days |
| Kansas | sos.ks.gov | $35 | 120 days |
| Kentucky | app.sos.ky.gov | $15 | 120 days |
| Louisiana | coraweb.sos.la.gov | $25 | 60 days |
| Maine | icrs.informe.org | $20 | 120 days |
| Maryland | egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress | $25 | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | corp.sec.state.ma.us | $30 | 60 days |
| Michigan | cofs.lara.michigan.gov | $10 | 6 months |
| Minnesota | mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us | $35 | 12 months |
| Mississippi | corp.sos.ms.gov | $25 | 180 days |
| Missouri | bsd.sos.mo.gov | $25 | 60 days |
| Montana | app.mt.gov/bes | $10 | 120 days |
| Nebraska | nebraska.gov/sos/corp | $30 | 120 days |
| Nevada | esos.nv.gov | $25 | 90 days |
| New Hampshire | quickstart.sos.nh.gov | $15 | 120 days |
| New Jersey | njportal.com/DOR/businessrecords | $50 | 120 days |
| New Mexico | portal.sos.state.nm.us | $20 | 120 days |
| New York | apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry | $20 | 60 days |
| North Carolina | sosnc.gov/online_services/search | $30 | 120 days |
| North Dakota | firststop.nd.gov | $10 | 12 months |
| Ohio | businesssearch.ohiosos.gov | $39 | 180 days |
| Oklahoma | sos.ok.gov/corp | $10 | 60 days |
| Oregon | egov.sos.state.or.us/br | $100 | 120 days |
| Pennsylvania | file.dos.pa.gov | $70 | 120 days |
| Rhode Island | business.sos.ri.gov | $50 | 120 days |
| South Carolina | businessfilings.sc.gov | $25 | 120 days |
| South Dakota | sosenterprise.sd.gov | $15 | 120 days |
| Tennessee | tnbear.tn.gov | $20 | 4 months |
| Texas | mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us | $40 | 120 days |
| Utah | secure.utah.gov/bes | $22 | 120 days |
| Vermont | bizfilings.vermont.gov | $20 | 120 days |
| Virginia | scc.virginia.gov | $10 | 120 days |
| Washington | ccfs.sos.wa.gov | $30 | 180 days |
| West Virginia | apps.wv.gov/sos/businessentitysearch | $15 | 120 days |
| Wisconsin | wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch | $15 | 120 days |
| Wyoming | wyobiz.wyo.gov | $50 | 120 days |
Fees current as of June 2026. Verify with official state portals before filing.
3. Step-by-Step Business Name Search for Key States
Business Name Search in Florida
Florida business name searches are handled by the Florida Division of Corporations at search.sunbiz.org. Free, updated daily, covers LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and fictitious names (DBAs).
- Go to search.sunbiz.org
- Click Entity Name under Search Type
- Search both exact spelling and keyword variations
- Review ACTIVE entities with similar names — not just exact matches
- Also run a Fictitious Name (DBA) search at the same portal
- Reserve via sunbiz.org for $35 (120-day hold)
Entity-type suffixes matter: “XYZ Holdings LLC” and “XYZ Holdings Inc.” may both be approved since they are different entity types. Minor spelling differences alone typically do not create sufficient distinctiveness. Search Florida businesses on Corporate.AI →
Business Name Search in New York
New York searches use the NY Department of State portal at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. New York reviews distinctiveness strictly before approving any filing.
- Go to apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/
- Select Corporation / Business Entity Search
- Search both exact name and partial/keyword matches
- For pre-clearance guidance, call the DOS at (518) 473-2492
- Reserve for $20 (60-day reservation)
NY prohibits names with Bank, Insurance, Trust, or Mortgage without regulatory approval. NY LLCs must complete a newspaper publication after formation ($300–$2,000+ depending on county). Search New York businesses →
Business Name Search in Texas
Texas uses two systems: Texas Comptroller (free) and SOSdirect ($1/search for certified results).
- Go to mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html (free Comptroller search)
- Search your exact name and keyword variations
- Also check your county clerk for assumed name (DBA) certificates
- Reserve with the Texas SOS for $40 (120-day hold)
Texas LLCs must include “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” in the official name. Search Texas businesses →
Business Name Search in California
California uses the BizFile portal at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business. CA name availability is provisional until the SOS reviews the actual filing.
- Go to bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business
- Enter your desired LLC or corporation name
- CA availability is provisional — the SOS makes a final determination at filing
- Also search your county’s Fictitious Business Name database for DBA conflicts
- Reserve for $10 (60-day reservation, renewable once)
A clean online search does not guarantee approval at filing. A formal reservation provides more certainty. Search California businesses →
Business Name Search in Illinois
- Go to apps.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/
- Search by entity name (exact or contains options)
- Check both LLC and Corporation tabs
- Reserve name for $25 (90-day reservation)
Business Name Search in Colorado
- Go to sos.state.co.us and navigate to Business Entity Search
- Search by entity name — use wildcard (*) for partial name searches
- Review active entities for conflicts
- Reserve for $25 (120-day reservation)
Colorado flags names differing only in articles, prepositions, or entity designators. Search Colorado businesses →
Business Name Search in Washington State
- Go to ccfs.sos.wa.gov
- Click Search and select Business Entities
- Enter your desired name or keywords
- Reserve for $30 (180-day reservation — one of the longest in the U.S.)
Washington has no personal income tax, making WA LLCs attractive for pass-through income. Search Washington businesses →
Business Name Search in Oregon
- Go to the Oregon SOS Business Registry Search at egov.sos.state.or.us/br
- Search by business name (partial or full match)
- Review both active and inactive entities
- Reserve for $100 (120-day reservation)
4. Business Name Rules and Restrictions
Beyond uniqueness, states impose specific naming rules. Violating these will get your filing rejected even if no other entity shares the name.
Entity Designator Requirement
LLCs must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.” Corporations use “Inc.,” “Corp.,” “Incorporated,” or “Corporation.” Exact required forms vary by state.
Restricted Words Requiring Approval
Words like Bank, Trust, Insurance, Attorney, Doctor, Engineer, and Architect require proof of professional licensure or regulatory approval in most states before they can appear in a business name.
Government Affiliation Prohibited
Names implying government affiliation — using words like FBI, Treasury, Federal, National, or United States — are prohibited without explicit government authorization in most states.
Profanity and Offensive Content
All states prohibit business names containing obscene language, profanity, or content likely to offend public sensibilities. Such names are rejected without appeal.
5. How to Reserve a Business Name
A name reservation is an optional but useful step that prevents another business from registering the same name while you prepare your formation documents. Most states offer 60–180 day reservations for $10–$100.
To reserve a name: (1) confirm availability via the SOS search portal, (2) complete the Name Reservation application (usually available online via the same SOS portal), (3) pay the reservation fee, and (4) receive a confirmation number. Keep this on file — it establishes your priority date.
Name reservations are not the same as business registration. A reservation only holds the name — you still need to file your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation) to legally create your business entity.
States with the Longest Reservation Periods
- • Washington: 180 days ($30)
- • Ohio: 180 days ($39)
- • Mississippi: 180 days ($25)
- • Minnesota: 12 months ($35) — longest in the U.S.
- • North Dakota: 12 months ($10)
6. Trademark Search: The Step Most People Skip
State business name registration does not protect you from federal trademark infringement claims. Even if your name clears all 50 state SOS databases, someone could hold a federal trademark on the same or similar name and have legal grounds to force you to rebrand.
Before finalizing your business name, run a search on the USPTO Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) at tmsearch.uspto.gov. Look for:
- Live registered trademarks matching your desired name or similar names
- Pending trademark applications (which may be granted in the future)
- The same name in your industry class (using International Nice Classification codes)
If you find a potential conflict, consult a trademark attorney before moving forward. The cost of a rebranding after you’ve built brand equity is far higher than a legal consultation upfront.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to check business name availability?
The actual search takes less than 5 minutes on any state SOS portal. The full process — searching, reviewing results, and optionally reserving the name — typically takes 15–30 minutes.
What if the name I want is taken?
You have three options: (1) modify the name to make it distinguishable (e.g., add a location, abbreviation, or descriptive word), (2) check if the existing registration is still active (some states allow you to register a name after a dissolved entity’s grace period), or (3) choose a different name.
Can I operate under a different name than my LLC name?
Yes. You can register a “DBA” (Doing Business As) or fictitious business name to operate under a different name than your official LLC name. DBAs are registered separately — usually with the state SOS or county clerk — and allow you to use trade names, brand names, or shortened versions of your official entity name.
Does registering a domain name protect my business name?
No. Domain name registration is separate from both state business name registration and federal trademark protection. Owning a .com domain does not give you any legal right to use the name in commerce or prevent others from registering it as a business name in your state.
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