Free · official sources only
Is your business name available?
Pick your state to jump straight to its official Secretary of State entity search — the only authoritative place to check if a name is taken — plus that state's LLC naming rules. No scraping, no middleman, no fee.
Most-searched formation states
All 50 states + DC
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a business name is available?
Pick your state below and use that state’s official Secretary of State business-entity search. The state registry is the authoritative source — a name is "taken" only if it’s registered there. Paid "name check" services just query the same free government database.
Is the Secretary of State business search free?
Yes — almost every state’s entity search is free to use. (A couple, like Texas’s SOSDirect, charge a small per-search fee, but free alternatives exist — we note them on each state’s page.)
Does an available business name mean I can use it everywhere?
No. State entity registration is per-state. A name clear in Wyoming can be taken in Florida, and entity availability is separate from trademark rights, which are national. Always pair a name search with a free trademark search before committing to a brand.
What’s the difference between a name search and a name reservation?
A search tells you if a name appears available right now; it doesn’t hold it. A reservation (offered by most states for 60–120 days) locks the name for you while you prepare your filing. Each state page explains its reservation rules.
Official links reviewed June 2026. We link only to official government registries — never paid lookups.
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