Does anyone know how to do a search and see if a corporate name is already being used? We are getting ready to incorporate our business with our new building venture and would like to find out if a name is being used or not.

Thanks,

Buck

Call the secretary of states office, corporations or corporate name availability. Most states have a secretary of state web page that you can search.

Be advised that this works only on the state level.

Say you live in Delaware. Delaware will be happy to incorporate XYZ INC if there's no other XYZ INC in Delaware. There might be XYZ INCs in NJ, PA, MD, Delaware doesn't care.

Now, if another XYZ in another state gets bothered by you (same type of business for instance) they might sue for copyright infringement and whatnot. Can be a drag. And you might end up being called "XYZ of Delaware Inc."

If you have a high profile business, it might be prudent to do a name search in all states.

Also, if you succressfully incorporate XYZ in Delaware, this will not prevent an XYZ Inc. from being incorporated in Nevada, if that name is still available in Nevada.

Thanks for the info.

I'm not worried about someone else using the same name in another state. While our business is starting to get pretty good sized, I don't have any intentions of franchising it nationwide or anything. LOL

Buck

Put in your proposed name and hit search. If your name is in use, it will pull up the info on it.

http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/corps/search_all.php

Thank you. I found out what I needed to know. I should have just PMd you to begin with. I was thinking there had to be a site that could tell me.

OSO comes through again. Membership has it's privelages.

Buck

Buck your best bet is to talk to a Phknlwr

My father is a pattent lawer and he is going to do some things to protect my bus. images, logos and what not. The name as you have already read is only good in your state and the states that you do bus. in.

Good luck with your new venture

Jon