Enter words related to your business to get started.
Key Information
Legal Name | Nebraska Secretary of State |
Address | 1201 N St., Ste. 120, Lincoln, NE 68508 |
Telephone | |
Website | https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/uccefs-search-and-filing-center |
How to Do a Nebraska Business Search:
Before starting a business, you will need to ensure that your chosen business name is available. Simply go to the Nebraska SOS website and use the business search tool to check if your name is already in use by another company.
Conduct a Nebraska business search online.
Use the Nebraska online business search tool.
The Nebraska SOS website has a business search tool that prospective business owners can use to verify the availability of their proposed name in the state.
Make a list of alternative spellings or similar versions of your proposed name to ensure that your name is entirely new and distinguishable from competitors.
Perform a search.
The Corporate & Business Search page has a "Select Search Option" tool with five different options. Each option gives you a different way of conducting a business name search.
If you want to search the main keyword from your business name (for example, "restaurant") to get an overview of businesses competing with you in Nebraska, check the "Name Keyword Search" option.
The box you'll want to tick, however, is the "Name Exact Match" option. Entering your business name here will bring up any business with that exact name.
You'll want to play around with different variations of your name. Try checking each box individually. The "Name Sounds Like" option is a good way of checking your name against a host of business names in Nebraska that are similar to yours.
A status that reads "Inactive" is not to be seen as available for use. New business owners are encouraged to contact the Nebraska SOS by email to query the availability of a name. You can reach them at sos.corp@nebraska.gov.
Additional Nebraska business search steps.
Reserve your business name.
If your proposed name is free for use but you're not ready to register your business yet, you have the option of reserving the name. This reservation period lasts 120 days and costs $15.00.
The name reservation application form must be filled out and posted to the listed address.
Check out the SOS website for the correct form to fill out according to your business formation type.
Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing.
The Certificate of Good Standing is a document that proves your business is registered in the state of Nebraska under your name of choice. Once your name has been registered, a Certificate of Good Standing is available for you to download for the price of $10.00.
Perform a trademark search.
The business search outlined above also provides information on trademarks and service marks registered with the state of Nebraska.
However, a name that is free to use in Nebraska might be a trademarked name at the federal level, which can lead to legal trouble in the future. As such, you'll want to ensure that your proposed name is available by searching the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) trademark database.
