Business Name Checker
Use our free business name checker to see if your business name is available across domains, trademarks, state registries, and social media — instantly, no sign-up required.
How to use this business name checker
Getting your availability checklist takes under a minute. Enter your desired name, select your state and business type, and the tool will walk you through all five key checks with personalized next steps.
Enter your desired business name exactly as you plan to use it.
Select the US state where you plan to register your business.
Choose your business type — LLC, corporation, sole proprietor, or partnership.
Hit Check to get your full availability checklist and recommended next steps.
Why checking your business name availability matters
Many entrepreneurs skip availability checks and end up facing legal disputes, forced rebrands, or lost customers months after launch. There are five distinct layers of name availability every US business owner needs to verify — and missing even one can create serious problems.
The 5 availability checks every business name needs
| Check | Where to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name (.com) | GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains | Without a matching .com, customers searching for you will find your competitors instead. |
| Federal trademark | USPTO TESS database | A conflicting trademark can result in a cease-and-desist and a forced rebrand — even after you have registered your LLC. |
| State LLC / Corp registry | State Secretary of State website | Using a name already registered in your state may get your formation filing rejected or expose you to legal claims. |
| DBA / trade name | County clerk or state DBA database | A sole proprietor may already be operating under your name as a "doing business as" filing in your county. |
| Social media handles | Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok | Inconsistent handles fragment your brand. Secure the same handle on every platform before someone else does. |
Pro tip — run all five checks before printing business cards, building a website, or filing formation paperwork. Rebranding after launch is expensive and completely avoidable.
How to register your business name in the US
Once you have confirmed availability across all five checks, the registration process depends on your business structure.
LLC or corporation
Your business name is registered automatically when you file your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corp) with your state's Secretary of State. Filing fees range from $50 to $500 depending on the state. Once filed, no other business in your state can register under that exact name.
Sole proprietorship / DBA
If you operate under a name other than your own legal name, you must file a DBA (Doing Business As) registration with your county clerk or state agency. This is legally required in most states and must be done separately from any LLC formation.
Federal trademark
State registration only protects your name within your state. For nationwide protection, register a federal trademark with the USPTO. This gives you exclusive rights to the name in connection with your goods or services across the entire United States — essential for any brand operating or selling nationally.
State registration does NOT protect you against federal trademark claims. Always search the USPTO TESS database before committing to any business name.
Official government resources:
SBA.gov — How to register your business USPTO TESS — Federal trademark search