Enter words related to your business to get started.
Key Information
Legal Name | New Hampshire Secretary of State |
Address | State House, Room 204, 107 North Main St., Concord, NH 03301 |
Telephone | |
Website |
How to Do a New Hampshire Business Search:
Before you can apply for a name reservation or file formation documents, you will need to ensure that your desired business name is available by performing business entity and trademark searches using the applicable online tools.
Conduct a New Hampshire business search online.
Go to the New Hampshire SOS website.
The Corporation Division of the SOS offers an online tool that allows you to determine whether there is an entity with a similar or identical name to your proposed business name.
It's important to note that this is only a preliminary search. The SOS will need to give you the go-ahead to adopt your preferred business name.
Use the tool to search your proposed business name.
At the top of the page, you will see four radio buttons titled "Starts With," "Exact Match," "Contains," and "All Words." You'll want to select "Exact Match" for this search.
Next, check that "Business Name" has been selected and enter your preferred name in the field provided. Make sure that you select "Show me similar sounding business names" for a more thorough search of the database. Lastly, enter the CAPTCHA text and click "Search."
Be sure to search alternate spellings and similar names to ensure that your preferred business name does not clash with those of other businesses in the database.
View the search results.
If there are no results, you will see a popup that reads "No data found with your search criteria." In this case, it's likely that your name is available to use. However, you will need to perform trademark searches to confirm the availability of your name.
If the database yields results, a list of entities will be displayed on-screen, along with their business ID number, entity type, current status, etc. You can click on each entity's name to learn more about that particular business.
Additional New Hampshire business search steps.
Perform trademark searches.
Trademark searches are advisable as the business search outlined above is limited to business names registered with the state and does not include state or federal trademarks.
The New Hampshire SOS does not have an online trademark search tool. Thus, you will need to contact the New Hampshire Corporation Division to find out how you can search the state trademark database.
Once you have ascertained that you will not be infringing on another entity's trademark or service mark in the state, it is advisable to search the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) trademark database to check for registered federal trademarks.
File a name reservation.
If your name is available, but you do not wish to register your business right away, you can apply to reserve the name for 120 days. This period is nonrenewable.
To apply, navigate to the Corporation Division's Forms and Fees page, select the type of entity you will be starting, complete the applicable name reservation form, and submit it online or via mail to the SOS. Filing fees vary depending on the type of entity you wish to register.
