How does one go about checking to see if the company name you are
considering has already been taken....I thought I remember someone
else asking this question and getting a fabulous answer previously but
I can't find it right now.  The previous answer, if you could find it,
would be good enough for me.

Thanks
seedy

---

Request for Question Clarification by voyager-ga on 12 Aug 2002 14:01 PDT

Hi seedy,

do you need a unique name in a single country or worldwide?

voyager-ga

---

Clarification of Question by seedy-ga on 12 Aug 2002 16:52 PDT

Voyager:

USA would be fine....The name will be used for a consulting
business....in the .NET field....

seedy

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 12 Aug 2002 18:20 PDT

seedy...

Here's a page which should help to clarify your priorities:
http://www.incorporation-services.com/before-filing-for-incorporation.htm

If you are incorporating as a United States business, your
first priority is to choose a state which provides the best
benefits for your corporation, since you can incorporate in
any state, no matter your location:

"Where can you get the best financial breaks for your
proposed corporation? You are not required to file for
incorporation in the state in which your business
operates; you can file in any of the 50 states or in
the District of Columbia to take advantage of low or
no corporate income tax policies."...more on the page
above.
 
Once you choose a state, then you can research the 
database of business names in that state, in order
to determine a unique one which is in line with that
state's naming laws:

"When choosing a name for your corporation, it is
imperative that you familiarize yourself with your
chosen state's corporate naming laws. Most states
require that you indicate your corporate status
within your company name; designators such as
"Corporation," "Incorporation" or "Limited"
(or an abbreviation of these terms) are typically
acceptable. In some states, the name cannot 
include prohibited words such as "Federal,"
"National," "United States" or "Reserve." The
name you want to adopt must be available and
not deceptively similar to that of another
business operating within your state of
incorporation. Futhermore, your name must not
violate a trademark of another company."

Once you've selected a state, let us know, and
we can research the location of the database
for that state, although if you utilize a 
service to assist you in incorporating, I 
believe they'll research the name for you.

If this post serves to satisfy your query, let
me know, and I'll formally post it as an 
answer.


Searches, via Google:

"choosing a name" + incorporation
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22choosing+a+name%22+%2B+incorporation

sublime1-ga

---

Clarification of Question by seedy-ga on 12 Aug 2002 20:22 PDT

Thanks sublime1:

But no it doesn't answer it yet....I do not want to incorporate this
business but just operate it as a sole proprietorship for a little
while to see how it goes....but want to adopt a name that I'd prefer
not to change if and when I decide to incorporate....
Does that make sense??  Not a new question....but I'll add money if
you consider it so...

seedy

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 12 Aug 2002 20:49 PDT

seedy...

If you eventually intend to incorporate, it would seem
that it would still be to your advantage to go through
the process of choosing a state which will afford your
business advantages when you do incorporate. Short of 
researching these advantages by state, it would seem
to be a matter of researching the names for the state
where you will be locating your business. If you tell
us that state, we can then research the availability
of a resource for the business names in that state.

sublime1-ga

---

Clarification of Question by seedy-ga on 12 Aug 2002 21:57 PDT

sublime1:

Let's try New Hampshire....It would be simplest for us...and neutral
for financial purposes...

seedy

---

Clarification of Question by seedy-ga on 13 Aug 2002 21:33 PDT

I raised question pricing slightly to see if I could get a response...

seedy

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 13 Aug 2002 22:34 PDT

seedy...

In case you're looking for me here in clarifications,
I posted this note to tell you to scroll down to the
comments for my latest input.

sublime1-ga

---

Clarification of Question by seedy-ga on 14 Aug 2002 02:26 PDT

sublime1:

Please post your latest comment as the answer.  The information along
is sufficient for me to apply to the State of NH and proceed with the
creation of this company. I have been doing some searching on the
links you have provided and feel confident that the name we have
chosen is available so we'll register immediately.

If you come upon further informatin in your study at a later date,
please post as a comment.  Thank you.

seedy

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 14 Aug 2002 16:42 PDT

seedy...

You said that if I come across further information at
a later date, to post it as a comment. I believe that
once I post my last comment as an answer here, as you
requested, no further responses can be made to the 
question, and you would have to post a new one for 
further input. So I will enter this as a clarification,
and give you an opportunity to satisfy any additional
need for clarification before I enter the answer.

sublime1-ga

---

Clarification of Question by seedy-ga on 15 Aug 2002 10:24 PDT

sublime1:

You can post your final answer, then, if you come upon additional
information you wish to add to the answer, you can add it as a
comment...Thanks for your efforts....

Please post to answer so you can get paid....I'll rate the answer at
that point...

Thank you

seedy

seedy...

I'm posting the answer, as indicated. Again, I don't believe
additional
comments can be added after that.

Some states have online searches available, as indicated 
on this page, which lists some such resources by state: 
http://www.premiercorp.com/onlinedatabase.htm 
Hawaii, for example, shows a 'business name searches'  
link. 
 
The Small Business Administration has a page on their 
website, called "Business Names", at: 
http://www.sba.gov/hotlist/businessnames.html 
Note that, on this page, as well, Hawaii's  
link takes you to a business name search page. 

If you click on the link for New Hampshire, it 
takes you to the NH Department of Revenue 
Administration website, with a 'Business reg'
link at the bottom. This takes you to a business 
registration resource page at: 
http://webster.state.nh.us/revenue/business/index.htm 
which has a link for 'Registration With the NH 
Secretary of State's Office', at: 
http://webster.state.nh.us/revenue/business/secretary_of_state.htm 
which notes "All businesses operating in the State 
of New Hampshire are required to register with the 
Office of the Secretary of State." There is an  
address and phone number on this page. Also on 
this page is a link to a page where registration 
forms can be downloaded, via the NH Corp. division: 
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/corporate/index.htm 
for the puposes of incorporating. 
 
The wording of the forms is similar whether 
you are reserving a name for a corporation 
or a limited liability company: 
"The reservation shall be made by filing with 
the secretary of state an application to reserve 
a specified corporate name, executed by the 
applicant. If the secretary of state finds that 
the name is available for corporate use, he shall 
reserve the name for the exclusive use of the  
applicant for a period of 120 days" - from:
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/corporate/index.htm
On that page, you must click on a link 
under the 'Forms and Laws' column, then on the 
link for 'Domestic Forms and Laws', and then 
on the '293-A:4.02' link under the 'RSA' column 
for 'Form 1', in order to see the above-quoted
text from that form.
 
In reviewing the forms, you are left with the 
impression that, when you submit a form to 
incorporate your company, your proposed name 
is researched at that time. It seems likely 
that, if you are not incorporating, you would 
still need to register with the Office of The 
Secretary of State, and your proposed name 
would be checked at that time. A call to that 
office might ascertain if there is a list of 
existing names they could mail to you. 
 
Other sites which might prove useful: 
 
NH Small Business Development Center: 
http://www.nhsbdc.org/ 
 
Doing Business in New Hampshire (Gov't site) 
http://www.state.nh.us/business/index.html 
 
 
Searches done, via Google: 
 
"business names" + "new hampshire" 
://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22business+names%22+%2B+%22new+hampshire%22
 
"business name search" + "new hampshire" 
://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22business+name+search%22+%2B+%22new+hampshire%22&btnG=Google+Search
 
It's been a pleasure working with you...

sublime1-ga

sublime1:
You added many pieces of information to my former knowledge.  I
enjoyed the back and forth communication. The process works...Thanks

Hi,
You might try to read through this previous answer.

https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=43703

Take Care,
VB

Seedy,

I had the same question you have but only cared about incorporated
names in Delaware.  You can call 30-739-3073 and ask someone to check
whether a name has already been taken.  Double check with them to make
sure that they don't have the database for the whole US.  Their
website (although does not have database) is:
http://www.state.de.us/corp/

In California, you may want to check this database to see if a company
already exists with the name of interest.
http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html

Good luck,
Claudietta

seedy...

After a fair amount of digging, I'm sorry to say that
I can't find an online list of business names in NH.

Some states have online searches available, as indicated
on this page, which lists some such resources by state:
http://www.premiercorp.com/onlinedatabase.htm
Hawaii, for example, shows a 'business name searches' 
link.

The Small Business Administration has a page on their
website, called "Business Names", at:
http://www.sba.gov/hotlist/businessnames.html
Note that, on this page, as well, Hawaii's 
link takes you to a business name search page.
If you click on the link for New Hampshire, it
takes you to the NH Department of Revenue
Administration website, with a 'business reg"
link at the bottom. This takes you to a business
registration resource page at:
http://webster.state.nh.us/revenue/business/index.htm
which has a link for 'Registration With the NH
Secretary of State's Office', at:
http://webster.state.nh.us/revenue/business/secretary_of_state.htm
which notes "All businesses operating in the State
of New Hampshire are required to register with the
Office of the Secretary of State." There is an 
address and phone number on this page. Also on
this page is a link to a page where registration
forms can be downloaded, via the NH Corp. division:
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/corporate/index.htm
for the puposes of incorporating.

The wording of the forms is similar whether
you are reserving a name for a corporation
or a limited liability company:
"The reservation shall be made by filing with
the secretary of state an application to reserve
a specified corporate name, executed by the
applicant. If the secretary of state finds that
the name is available for corporate use, he shall
reserve the name for the exclusive use of the 
applicant for a period of 120 days" - from the
'RSA' link for Form 1 on this page:
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/corporate/index.htm


In reviewing the forms, you are left with the
impression that, when you submit a form to
incorporate your company, your proposed name
is researched at that time. It seems likely
that, if you are not incorporating, you would
still need to register with the Office of The
Secretary of State, and your proposed name
would be checked at that time. A call to that
office might ascertain if there is a list of
existing names they could mail to you.

Other sites which might prove useful:

NH Small Business Development Center:
http://www.nhsbdc.org/

Doing Business in New Hampshire (Gov't site)
http://www.state.nh.us/business/index.html


Searches done, via Google:

"business names" + "new hampshire"
://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22business+names%22+%2B+%22new+hampshire%22

"business name search" + "new hampshire"
://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22business+name+search%22+%2B+%22new+hampshire%22&btnG=Google+Search

If this satisfies your question as to "How does one go
about checking to see if the company name you are
considering has already been taken...?", let me know
and I will post it as an answer. I posted this as a 
comment only because I didn't actually find you a list
of businesses for New Hampshire.

sublime1-ga

seedy - a clarification to my last comment:

I quoted:

"The reservation shall be made by filing with 
the secretary of state an application to reserve 
a specified corporate name, executed by the 
applicant. If the secretary of state finds that 
the name is available for corporate use, he shall 
reserve the name for the exclusive use of the  
applicant for a period of 120 days" - from the 
'RSA' link for Form 1 on this page: 
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/corporate/index.htm

In fact, on that page, you must click on a link
under the 'Forms and Laws' column, then on the
link for 'Domestic Forms and Laws', and then
on the '293-A:4.02' link under the 'RSA' column
for 'Form 1'. This all happens without your
browser leaving the index page noted above.

sublime1-ga

seedy...

Well imagine my surprise! I just discovered that you
CAN add a comment after the question is answered!
So thanks for the great rating, and if I come across
anything of further interest, I'll post it...

sublime1-ga