New Hampshire LLC Name Search
You'll need to conduct a New Hampshire LLC name search to check name availability for your new business.
We’ll help you start your New Hampshire LLC with a unique and legally compliant name.
Recommended: Claim your domain name before it's gone. Verify its availability with GoDaddy.
Check LLC Name Availability in New Hampshire
1. Do a New Hampshire Business Name Search
You can use New Hampshire’s Business Entity Search to check the availability of your desired name.
To perform the most effective search, select “Contains,” type in the name you would like to use, excluding identifiers like “LLC”, and leave all other boxes blank. This will return all entities using the same or similar names. If your business name is several words, you can even search just the first two words to ensure you pull up all possible similar names.
Be sure to conduct a thorough search before completing your paperwork to avoid rejection.
To learn more about searching for a New Hampshire LLC name, read our full guide.
2. Search Available Domain Names
Another important consideration to make when selecting a business name is whether or not your desired web domain name is available.
Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This seemingly small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it online using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
3. Follow New Hampshire Naming Guidelines
When choosing a name, it’s important to make sure that it adheres to New Hampshire’s official naming guidelines. Here are the key guidelines you need to keep in mind:
Including Required Phrases
The name of your LLC should include one of the following phrases:
- "Limited Liability Company"
- "L.L.C."
- "LLC"
Member or Manager Names
You have the option to include the name of a member or manager in the LLC name. This can help personalize the name and reflect the individuals involved in the company.
Organizational Purpose
Your LLC name should not imply that the company is organized for a purpose other than what is permitted under New Hampshire law and specified in the LLC's certificate of formation.
Distinguishability
To ensure that your LLC name is distinguishable from existing names, it must meet the following requirements:
- It should be different from the names of entities incorporated, authorized, formed, or registered to do business in New Hampshire under specific sections of the law.
- It should not be the same as a name reserved under applicable sections of the law.
- It should be distinguishable from the fictitious name of another foreign entity authorized to transact business in the state.
- It should not be the same as the name of an agency, instrumentality, or political party recognized under New Hampshire law, unless proper consent is obtained.
- It should not contain the name "farmers' market" unless the entity meets the specific definition of a "farmers' market" established in New Hampshire law.
Distinguishing Factors
Certain factors alone are not sufficient to make a name distinguishable. These factors include:
- The use of articles (such as "a," "an," or "the").
- Plural forms of the same word.
- Phonetic spellings or abbreviations of the same name or word.
- Suffixes, prefixes, or deviations from the complete spelling of a name.
- Changes in a word or name indicating entity status.
- Differences in punctuation, special characters, or spacing.
- Arabic or Roman numerals representing the same number.
Authorization for Non-Distinguishable Names
Under specific circumstances, you may apply for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable from existing names. This includes obtaining written consent from the holder of the name, securing consent from the other entity, or providing a certified copy of a court judgment establishing your right to use the name.
Use of Existing Entity Names
In certain cases, you may use the name of another domestic or foreign entity that is already used in New Hampshire if your LLC has merged with that entity, been formed through its reorganization, or acquired its assets, including the name.
By adhering to these naming requirements, you can choose a suitable and distinguishable name for your LLC in New Hampshire.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Registering Your New Hampshire Business Name
Whether you're prepared to launch your LLC or still in the planning phase, we're here to guide you through the process.
Register Your New Hampshire LLC Name
Registering your LLC name in New Hampshire is a relatively straightforward task. Your business name becomes officially registered when you file the New Hampshire Certificate of Formation. This critical document marks the formal establishment of your business in the state.
The New Hampshire Secretary of State's website provides detailed instructions on how to fill out the form and pay the necessary state filing fee.
Keep in mind: Utilizing a professional LLC formation service can simplify the process by handling the registration of your LLC name and the establishment of your LLC. To learn more, refer to our Best LLC Services review.
Reserve Your New Hampshire Business Entity Name
New Hampshire’s Secretary of State Corporation Division handles all LLC naming questions and requests. Business names can be reserved for 120 days. If you have yet to form your business entity using the reserved name when the business name reservation expires, you may renew the name reservation.
After choosing a name for your LLC, take the next step and create a unique logo with our Free Logo Generator.
New Hampshire Application For Reservation Of Name
OPTION 1: File Online With the State of New Hampshire
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: File Form 1 by Mail
Download PDFFee: $15
Mailing Address:
Corporation Division
NH Department of State
107 N. Main St., Rm 204
Concord, NH 03301
Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?
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Find out which is best for you.
Other Consideration
New Hampshire requires that your LLC name be distinguishable from other registered business entities in the state. Before filing your paperwork it is a good idea to do some additional research.
You’ll want to be sure your name or one very close to it is not being used by unregistered businesses such as sole proprietorships or partnerships, has not been trademarked by another business in your state or industry, and is otherwise available for use across the internet. This will help ensure you have full, unrestricted use of your business name.
Trademark Search
Conducting a trademark search of your business name and associated slogans or logos before registering can help prevent costly litigation in the future. Discovering that another entity has trademarked your business name does not automatically disqualify you from using it.
However, it is important to know who is using the name, what industry they operate in, and where they are located to be sure you do not inadvertently infringe upon anyone’s intellectual property rights.
To complete this step:
- Search New Hampshire’s trademark records to see if your business name or associated slogans, logos, or others are in use by another business in your state.
- Search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s electronic records to find any federally registered trademarks associated with your business name.
Social Media Search
Just as important, or more so, than finding a domain name that fits your business is ensuring that your business name is available for use across social media platforms. You can do this by simply searching your business name on each major site, or use a tool such as Namecheckr to search across all platforms at once.
Bottom Line
Having a name for your business is an important first step for creating a successful LLC, and one that is incredibly easy to do. Once you have found your preferred name, you'll want to secure your domain name so that your customers will be able to find your business online. Reserving your name with a Certificate of Name Reservation will help you stand out from the competition. With your name secured, you will be ready to take the next steps to formalize your LLC.
FAQs
To check the availability of an LLC name in New Hampshire, you can use the online search tool provided by the New Hampshire Secretary of State. Enter your desired LLC name and review the search results to ensure that the name is not already registered by another business entity.
Conducting an LLC name search in New Hampshire is crucial to ensure that your desired name is unique and distinguishable from other businesses. This step helps prevent potential legal conflicts and trademark issues that may arise if your LLC name is too similar to an existing entity.
It is recommended to perform an LLC name search in New Hampshire during the early stages of establishing your LLC. If a significant amount of time has passed since your last search and you haven't registered the name yet, it is wise to conduct a new search before proceeding with registration.
In New Hampshire, your LLC name must be unique and must contain the words "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." It should not contain words that could confuse your business with a government agency or imply a purpose it does not serve.
When conducting a New Hampshire LLC name search and confirming the availability of your desired name, you can later reserve it by filing a Name Reservation form with the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office and paying the required fee. The reservation is valid for 120 days.