The Easy Way to Check if Your Business Name is Available for Registration

In order to register your business entity and avoid claims of infringement, you must first conduct a thorough business name check. The first step is to understand the different types of names businesses use.

• Your entity name is the legal name of your business and protects you at the state level.
• To conduct business under a name different from the legal name, you typically need to file a voluntary assumed name, (e.g., DBA or Doing Business As) with the appropriate state or local agency.
• A trademark is a formal name registration you make to protect your brand at the federal and/or state level.
• A domain name is used for websites and helps protect your brand name online (but is notably and definitely not a trademark).

Making sure your desired monikers are available requires you to conduct name searches across multiple databases including the business entity database in your state and the federal trademark system. Alternatively, you can sign up for Launch by LegalShield and a provider lawyer will handle the name check for you. You’ll know that the search was done correctly and that you’re clear to launch.

Start a Name Check Now

Once you are certain the name(s) you’d like to use are available, you need to register them with the appropriate governmental agencies and/or domain registrar.

• If you’re forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation, you’ll need to include the entity name in the Articles of Organization or Incorporation you file with the Secretary of State.
• If you plan to do business under a different name than your business entity name, then you'll need to register that DBA based upon state law requirements.
• Trademark applications are filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for federal trademarks and typically a state Secretary of State for state trademarks. These applications are not something you want to tackle without legal support unless you’re very experienced.

You can eliminate hours of internet research and the stress that comes from not knowing if you registered all of your company names and paperwork properly by signing up for Launch by LegalShield. The entire name search and business formation process will be handled by an experienced provider lawyer for a one-time fee of $145 + state filing fees.