How To Do A Free Business Name Search

Alabama Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Alabama:

1. Visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Entity Records.
2. Enter your business name in the search box. For the broadest match, skip the place of formation and city, and choose “all records” and “exists” for type and status.
3. Click “Search.”

The result is a list of companies that use the business name or keyword you entered as all or part of their business name in Alabama. Note that Alabama is the only state in the US that requires a name reservation before registering your business.

• LLC Forms
• Corporation Forms
• Filing Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Licensing

Alaska Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Alaska:

1. Visit the Alaska Corporations Database.
2. Click “I’m not a robot.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
4. Choose either “Starts With” or “Contains” and click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Alaska with business names that match your search criteria. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s in good standing, dissolved, or if the name has expired.

• LLC and Corporation Forms & Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Licensing
• Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

Arizona Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Arizona:

1. Visit the Arizona Corporations Commission’s eCorp entity search.
2. Choose your “Search Type” (“Starts With,” “Contains,” or “Exact Match”)
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
4. Narrow down your search by filter if needed (if your search produces more than 500 results, the system will require you to narrow your search).
5. Click “Search” to see a list of companies that use the terms you entered in their business name in Arizona. Or, click “Name Availability Check” for a yes or no on if the name’s available.

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Arizona with names that match your search criteria, as well as the status of each business.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Business Licensing

Arkansas Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Arkansas:

1. Visit the Arkansas Secretary of State’s business search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Name” box. There are additional choices and boxes, but they are designed to help you find a specific business—not determine the availability of your business name.
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Arkansas that use the terms you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each company, such as whether it’s in good standing, dissolved, or revoked.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Finance & Administration(Business Taxes & Revenue)
• Department of Licensing

California Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in California:

1. Visit the California Business Search.
2. Scroll down and enter all or part of your business name in the Search bar.
3. Click the down arrow for Advanced Search.
4. Filter by keyword, exact match, or “begins with.”
5. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the corporations or LPs/LLCs in California that use the business name or keyword you entered. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s active or dissolved. The state notes that this search is only preliminary and not formal. A formal name availability check requires businesses to submit a free paper form, the Name Availability Inquiry Letter.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Franchise Tax Board – Business Taxes & Revenue)
• CalGold– Business Permits and Licensing

Colorado Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Colorado:

1. Visit the Colorado Secretary of State Business Database Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the search box.
3. Click “Search.”

If your search produces too many results, you’ll have to refine your search by adding or changing the words in the search box. In the results, you’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Colorado that use the terms you entered in their name. You’ll also see the status of each company, such as whether or not it’s in good standing.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Professions and Occupations – Business Licensing

Connecticut Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Connecticut:

1. Visit the Connecticut Business Records Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name next to “Search by Name:”
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Connecticut that use the terms you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s in active or withdrawn.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Consumer Protection – Occupational & Professional Licensing Division

Delaware Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Delaware:

1. Visit Delaware’s business name search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Delaware that contain the terms you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Division of Professional Regulation – Business Licensing

District Of Columbia Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Washington DC:

The DLCP requires users to create a free account to do an entity search. To make an account:

1. Visit the DLCP’s home page.
2. Click “Register for a CorpOnline Account here.”
3. Enter a username, email, password, first and last name, and address.
4. Click “Register” to create your account.

After logging into your account:

1. Choose “Business Filings Search”
2. Enter all or part of your business name (narrow your search by entering information in the other fields if desired).
3. Click “Search.”

The search produces a list of all the registered businesses in the District of Columbia that use the terms you entered in their business name.

• LLC Forms and Fees
• Corporation Forms and Fees
• Office of Tax and Revenue
• Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)

Florida Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Florida:

1. Visit the Florida Division of Corporations’ Business Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
3. Click “Search Now.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Florida that use the terms you entered in their business names.

• LLC and Corporation Forms and Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Business and Professional Regulation – Licensing

Georgia Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Georgia:

1. Visit the Georgia Corporations Division’s Business Search.
2. Select “Starts With,” “Contains” or “Exact Match.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
4. Click “Search.”

The search will produce a list of all the registered businesses in Georgia that use the business name or keywords you entered.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Division of Licensing

Hawaii Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Hawaii:

1. Visit the Hawaii Business Express search page.
2. Select “Begins with” or “Contains.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Hawaii that use the business name or keywords you entered. You’ll also see the status of each company, such as whether it’s active or dissolved.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Taxation
• Professional Licensing

Idaho Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Idaho:

1. Visit the Idaho Secretary of State’s Business Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Search” box.
3. Hit the “Enter” key or click the magnifying glass icon.

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Idaho that use the terms you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s in good standing or dissolved.

• LLC and Corporation Forms and Fees
• Idaho State Tax Commission
• Division of Licensing

Illinois Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Illinois:

1. Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search.
2. Choose to search by name, keyword or partial word.
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Search” box and click “Continue.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Illinois that use the terms you entered in their business names.

• LLC Fees and Forms
• Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Illinois Business Licensing

Indiana Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Indiana:

1. Visit the INBiz Business Search.
2. Click “I’m not a robot.”
3. Choose “Contains,” “Starts With” or “Exact Match.”
4. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
5. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Indiana that include the terms you entered in their business names.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fee Calculator
• Department of Revenue
• Professional Licensing Agency

Iowa Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Iowa:

1. Visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s Business Entities Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Iowa that use the words you entered in their business name.

• LLC Fees and Forms
• Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Professional Licensing Bureau

Kansas Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Kansas:

1. Visit the Kansas Secretary of State’s Business Entities Search.
2. Click “Name Availability.”
3. Enter your exact business name in the search box.

You’ll see whether or not the name is available. If you want to see businesses with similar names, choose “Business Entity Database” instead of “Name Availability” and search by keyword.

• LLC & Corporation Forms (forms include fee information)
• Department of Revenue
• Business Licensing

Kentucky Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Kentucky:

1. Visit the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the search box.
3. Click “Continue.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Kentucky that use the words you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Professional Licensing

Louisiana Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Louisiana:

1. Visit the Louisiana Business Filings search page.
2. Select “Search by Entity Name.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Louisiana with the words you entered in their business name. The system will return a maximum of 250 results, so you may need to narrow your search by adding or changing words.

• LLC & Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Business Licensing

Maine Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Maine:

1. Visit the Maine Secretary of State’s Corporate Name Search.
2. Enter the business name in the box labeled “keyword from name to be searched.”
3. Click “Click Here to Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Maine with that keyword in their business name. The system will return a maximum of 100 results, so you may need to narrow your search by adding or changing words.

• LLC Fees and Forms
• Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Professional Licensing

Maryland Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Maryland:

1. Visit the Maryland Business Express Entity Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
3. Select “Search by Business Name.”
4. Click “Search.”

The registered businesses in Maryland that use the words you entered in their business name will appear.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Assessments & Taxation (business taxes)
• Maryland Business Licensing

Massachusetts Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Massachusetts:

1. Visit the Corporation Division’s Business Entity Search.
2. Select “Search by entity name.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the box.
4. Select “Begins with,” “Exact match,” “Full text” or “Soundex” (a phonetic code that allows you to search for similar sounding words).
5. Click “Search corporations.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Massachusetts that use the terms you entered in their business name.

• LLC Forms
• Corporation Forms
• Corporation & LLC Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Division of Licensing

Michigan Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Michigan:

1. Visit the Michigan Corporations Division’s business entity search.
2. Choose “Search by Entity Name.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
4. Select “Begins with,” “Exact match,” “Full text” or “Soundex” (a phonetic code that allows you to search for similar sounding words).

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Michigan that use the words you entered in their business name.

• LLC Forms and Fees
• Corporation Forms and Fees
• Department of Treasury (business taxes)
• Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Minnesota Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Minnesota:

1. Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s business name search.
2. Select “Business Name or File Number.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the search box, and click “Search.”

Below the search box, a list will appear with the registered businesses in Minnesota that use the words you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Minnesota Business Licensing

Mississippi Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Mississippi:

1. Visit the Mississippi Business Services search page.
2. Select “Starting With,” “All Words,” “Any Words,” “Sounds Like,” or “Exact Match.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
4. Click “Search.”

Under the search box will appear a list of names of Mississippi businesses that match the name and search criteria you entered. You’ll also see the status of each company, such as whether it’s in good standing or dissolved.

• LLC and Corporation Forms (business filing portal)
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Business Licenses

Missouri Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Missouri:

1. Visit Missouri’s Business Entity Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
3. Select “Starting With,” “All Words,” “Any Words,” or “Exact Match” (you can narrow your search down to active businesses by ticking the “Only Active Corporations” box.
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Missouri that match your search criteria.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Division of Professional Registration

Montana Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Montana:

1. Visit the Montana Business Search page.
2. Click “Search Name Availability.”
3. Choose either “Starts With” or “Contains.”
4. Enter all or part of your business name in the box and click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Montana that use the words you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Montana Business Licensing

Nebraska Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Nebraska:

1. Visit the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Corporate & Business Search.
2. Select one of the following search options: “Name Starts With,” “Name Keyword Search,” “Name Sounds Like,” “Name Exact Match.” (You can also search by account number, but this is for looking for a specific business, not name availability.)
3. Enter your business name or keyword in the “Name” box.
4. Click “I’m not a robot.”
5. Click “Perform Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Nebraska that use the terms you entered in their business name.

• Corporation & LLC Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Licensing Division

Nevada Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Nevada:

1. Visit the Nevada SilverFlume Business Search.
2. Choose “Starts With,” “Contains,” “Exact Match,” or “All Words.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Name” box. If your search returns more than 500 results, you’ll need to narrow your search by adding to or changing your name.
4. Click “Search.”

The system will return a list of all the registered businesses in Nevada that use the terms you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Taxation
• Department of Licensing

New Hampshire Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in New Hampshire:

1. Visit the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Business Search.
2. Select “Starts With,” “Exact Match,” “Contains,” or “All Words.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box. It may be useful to also tick the box that says “Show me similar sounding business names.”
4. Complete the reCAPTCHA and click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in New Hampshire that use the words you entered as part of their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s in good standing or dissolved.

• LLC Fees and Forms
• Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Business Licensing

New Jersey Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in New Jersey:

1. Visit the New Jersey Business Records Service.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
3. Click “Continue.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in New Jersey that use the terms you entered in their business name.

• LLC & Corporation Fees and Forms
• Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services
• Licenses and Permits

New Mexico Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in New Mexico:

1. Visit the New Mexico Business Search.
2. Select “Start With,” “Exact Match,” or “Contains.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name/DBA Name” box.
4. Click “I’m not a robot.”
5. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in New Mexico, divided into two sections: Corporations/LLCs and Partnerships/LLPs. Each search result is a business that uses the term you entered in their business name.

• LLC & Corporation Fees
• Taxation and Revenue Department
• Regulation and Licensing Department

New York Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in New York:

1. Visit the New York Corporation and Business Entity Database.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
3. Select either “Active Only” businesses or “All” businesses.
4. Choose “Begins With,” “Contains” or “Partial.”
5. Complete the reCAPTCHA by typing the words or numbers you see in the image.
6. Click “Search the Database.”

The system will produce a list of the registered businesses in New York that have the word or words you entered as all or part of their name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Taxation & Finance
• Licensing Services

North Carolina Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in North Carolina:

1. Visit the North Carolina Secretary of State’s business search page.
2. Under “Search By,” select “Company.
3. Choose “Starting With,” “Any Words,” “All Words,” or “Exact.” There’s also an option to search by Secretary of State ID, but this is for finding specific businesses, not available names.
4. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Search For” box.
5. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in North Carolina that use the terms you entered as all or part of their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Licenses and Permits

North Dakota Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in North Dakota:

1. Visit the North Dakota Secretary of State’s business search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
3. Choose you search criteria from the drop-down, deciding whether you want results with all of, any of, some of, or beginning with the words in your name.
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of the registered businesses in North Dakota that use all or part of the words you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s active and in good standing.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC Fees
• Corporation Fees
• State Tax Commission
• Business Licensing

Ohio Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Ohio:

1. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s business search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
3. Choose whether you want the results to include all businesses with your search term in their name or just active, canceled or “dead” businesses.
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of the registered businesses in Ohio that use the terms you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms and Fees
• Department of Taxation
• Licenses and Permits

Oklahoma Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Oklahoma:

1. Visit the Oklahoma Business Entity Search Page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
3. Click “Search.”

Below will appear a list of registered businesses in Oklahoma that use the words you entered in their business name, as well as whether it’s the company’s legal name or trade name.

• LLC and Corporation Fees and Forms
• Tax Commission
• Department of Commerce Business Licensing

Oregon Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Oregon:

1. Visit the Oregon Secretary of State’s Find a Business page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the search box.
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of the registered businesses in Oregon that use the words you entered in their business name. You’ll also see whether the company is active or inactive.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Business Xpress Licensing

Pennsylvania Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Pennsylvania:

1. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State Business Search.
2. Enter part of all of your business name in the “Business Entity Name/ID” box.
3. Choose your type of search from the drop-down (“starting with,” “all words,” “any words,” etc.).
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of the registered businesses in Pennsylvania that use the words you entered in their business name.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Licensing Services

Rhode Island Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Rhode Island:

1. Visit the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s business search page.
2. Select “Search by entity name.”
3. Enter part of all your business name in the “Enter Name” box.
4. Select your search type: “begins with,” “exact match,” “full text,” “Soundex” or “inactive.” (Soundex is a phonetic algorithim.)
5. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of the registered businesses in Rhode Island that use all or part of the business name you entered.

• LLC and Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Business Regulation – Licenses and Permits

South Carolina Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in South Carolina:

1. Visit the South Carolina Secretary of State’s business search page.
2. Select “Begins with,” “Contains” or “Exact Match.”
3. Enter part of all of your business name in the “Search by Business Name” box.
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in South Carolina that use the words you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business (such as whether it’s in good standing or dissolved), the type of entity, and their date and state of incorporation.

• LLC and Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Revenue
• Licensing and Regulation

South Dakota Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in South Dakota:

1. Visit the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Business Information Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Search Name” box.
3. Choose either “Starts With” or “Contains” and click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in South Dakota that use the words you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s in good standing or dissolved.

• LLC Forms and Fees
• Corporation Forms and Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Business Licensing Guide

Tennessee Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Tennessee:

1. Visit the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Search Name” box.
3. Choose either “Starts With” or “Contains.”
4. Click “I’m not a robot.”
5. Click “Search.”

Below, you’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Tennessee that use the terms you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s in active or inactive.

• LLC and Corporation Forms and Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Licensing and Regulations

Texas Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Texas:

To conduct a search through the Texas Secretary of State, you’re required to first make an SOSDirect account or use a temporary login. With either method, you are charged $1 per name search. Although not as thorough, some people opt to do a taxable entity search through the Texas Comptroller, which is free. Both methods are described below.

Secretary of State

1. Create an SOS Direct account or a one-time temporary login (both require contact info and credit card information).
2. Enter your business name and click “Continue.” to
3. Enter your address, phone number, email (and password if creating an account).
4. Enter credit card information—note that your card will automatically be charged $1 to authenticate it, but this $1 will be refunded within 24 hours.
5. Accept the user agreement. For accounts, you will be emailed your user ID, at which point you can visit the Texas Secretary of State’s page and click on the “SoSDirect” icon, and enter your user name and password. You’ll then see another page where you can choose your payment method and verify contact information.
6. Select “Name Availability Search.” Each search is $1. This fee is waived if you order any filings. The search will let you know if your name is used by any business on file with the Secretary of State.

Comptroller

1. Visit the Texas Taxable Entity Search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Entity Name” box.
3. Click “I’m not a robot” and “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the taxable entities in Texas (such as domestic or foreign corporations, LLCs or LPs) that use the words you entered in their business name. If you receive too many results, you’ll have to narrow your search by adding or changing words.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Office of the Comptroller (Business Taxes)
• Department of Licensing and Regulation

Utah Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Utah:

1. Visit the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code’s Business Search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Utah that use the words you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s active or expired.

• LLC Forms
• Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• State Tax Commission
• Division of Professional Licensing

Vermont Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Vermont:

1. Visit the Vermont Corporation Division’s business search page.
2. Select “Starts With,” “Exact Match,” or “Contains.”
3. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box. You can also tick the box that says “show me similar sounding business names.”
4. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Vermont that have business names that match your search criteria. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s active, inactive, expired, dissolved, or terminated.

• LLC Fees and Forms
• Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Taxes
• Licensing and Permits

Virginia Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Virginia:

1. Visit the Virginia Corporations Commission Business Entity Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the box next to “Enter Business Entity Name or SCC ID.”
3. Select “Keyword,” “Starts With,” or “Contains” and click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Virginia that use the words you entered in their business name.

For just a yes or no on whether a name is distinguishable in the state, visit the Name Check Availability page.  Enter your exact name in the box, and click “Check Name.”

• LLC Fees and Forms
• Corporation Fees and Forms
• Department of Taxation
• Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (business licensing)

Washington Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Washington:

1. Visit the Washington Corporations and Charities filing page.
2. Scroll down past the customer login to the box that says “Corporation Search.”
3. Select “Contains,” “Begins With,” or “Exact Match” for your search term.
4. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Business Name” box.
5. Click “Search.”

On a new screen, you’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Washington that use the terms your entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s active, inactive or dissolved.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Licensing

West Virginia Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in West Virginia:

1. Visit the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Business Organization Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Organization” box.
3. Click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in West Virginia that use the keywords you entered in their business name. You can organize the results by organization name, DBA, name change, and registrations and reservations.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Licensing Division

Wisconsin Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Wisconsin:

1. Visit the Wisconsin Corporate Records Search page.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the search box.
3. Click “Search Records.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Wisconsin that use the words you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each company, such as whether it’s organized, incorporated, withdrawn or dissolved.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Department of of Safety and Professional Services (licensing)

Wyoming Business Name Search

How to do a business name search in Wyoming:

1. Visit the Wyoming Business Center Business Entity Search.
2. Enter all or part of your business name in the “Filing Name” box.
3. Choose either “Starts With” or “Contains, and click “Search.”

You’ll see a list of all the registered businesses in Wyoming that use the keywords you entered in their business name. You’ll also see the status of each business, such as whether it’s active or inactive.

• LLC and Corporation Forms
• LLC and Corporation Fees
• Department of Revenue
• Licensed Occupations

Trade and Service Mark Search

Perform a USPTO trademark or service mark search:

1. Visit the USPTO Trademark Search page.
2. Select “Word Mark” from the list of search options.
3. Type your search term. (You may optionally refine the search to specific goods or services).
4. Press “Enter” or click the magnifying glass icon.

You’ll see a list of entries if the search term is or was in use. For instance, if you enter “Northwest Registered” as your search term, you’ll find our live service mark for Northwest Registered Agent LLC.

You may filter your search results to “Live” (registered or pending) or “Dead” (abandoned or cancelled) marks. You can also optionally filter your results for specific trademark class numbers.

The site notes that even if your search suggests your potential mark has no “likelihood of confusion” with others, this is not a guarantee that your application will be approved by the USPTO. Also, not every trademark is registered with the USPTO, so many businesses opt to consult a trademark attorney for additional assistance.