Where do I go to see if a name for a business has already been used?

Answer 1

I listed some links where you can do some preliminary name checking. However, please be aware that this is merely scratching the surface of what's out there.

Only comprehensive research will tell you if the name is truly available. But, these links are free & a great place to start, so I'd try them out first.

Comprehensive research consists of looking at marks that are similar in Sound, Appearance or Meaning in the pending & registered Federal AND State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files.

There are other sites that offer free searching capabilities in conjunction with their commercial services, so I'm not able to post those links due to the Yahoo! TOS. You'll also want to check domain names & yellow pages, so simply do a search for "free domain name search" and "national yellowpages" and the appropriate links will pop up.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

I did a lot of searching for this too. Did you file for a DBA?(Doing Bus. As) They charge a fee for this. The amount you pay depends on your location. If not, go to search and put in DBA, you get different places you can look up to see how much they charge and they give you more information.

Answer 3

Go to your state's Secretary of State web site. Most have a corporation name search where you can enter the name you want to use and see if it is an active or inactive corporation or LLC.

Answer 4

The exact same place you go to acquire your business license.

Answer 5

The registrar of companies in your state is the authority who incorporates all companies and his office will have all the information you have to know before you incorporate yours.

If it is internet domain, department of commerce does the registering of names

Answer 6

go to your county hall of records, dba office and ask for a dba search, if not used you can file for it right there.........