New Hampshire LLC Name Search – How to Name Your LLC


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Forming an LLC requires a different business name, which must be unique and adheres to the guidelines. The great thing is New Hampshire’s Secretary of State page includes a name availability checker. Check out LLC Name Search to learn more.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about starting an NH LLC or forming an LLC in general, you can check out How to Start an LLC.

How to Name an LLC in New Hampshire

Time needed: 5 minutes

There are guidelines to follow in doing a New Hampshire LLC name search. To learn more, check out LLC Naming Guidelines or read Foreign LLC Application for Registration if you’re planning to register a foreign LLC.

  1. Check Name Availability

    Search the Business Entity Records in New Hampshire’s Official Secretary of State page to check if your chosen business name is available. You may also try typing your trademark, business, or domain name on any search engine to generate businesses with similar names and to ensure your trademark is unique and meets the state’s requirements.

    Check out How to File a DBA to learn more about registering a DBA or trademark. For social media pages, use Social Searcher to avoid using similar page names.

  2. Check Domain Availability

    If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name using Namecheap, Google Workspace, or other domain name sites. So customers can easily find your business over the Internet. Use the Kinsta app to manage your domains efficiently.

  3. File Name Reservation

    A Name Reservation Certificate is required along with a Certificate of Formation. You can reserve a name online, by mail, or in person with a $25 filing fee (plus tax for online).

    File your Certificate of Formation and Name Reservation online on the Secretary of State Online Services page of New Hampshire. You may also download the pdf file of the Name reservation form and submit it with the processing fee to Corporation Division, NH Dept. of State, 107 N Main St, Rm 204, Concord, NH 03301-4989.

Guidelines to Follow in Naming LLC

  • Use a business name with the abbreviation “LLC” or the phrase “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your decided business name must not coincide with any existing government entity. Otherwise, you might have to face legal lawsuits when filing your LLC.
  • Use the LLC name availability checker to ensure your business name is unique.
  • Get a license first if you plan on using restricted words to avoid any complications.

Note that you must put adequate effort into naming your LLC because this name will be with your business for a long time. Making your LLC name unique is vital as it would prevent people from confusing your business with others, not to mention it would be easier for them to recall your business, products, or services.

How to do a New Hampshire LLC Online Name Search

It is crucial to select the name you want your LLC to have. If you’ve got a unique name for your LLC, and there is no other company using it, you’ll have to look up the New Hampshire state site. Check out these tips to find out more.

Use the search engine for business entities in the state’s tool.

The New Hampshire Department of State offers an online business search site. This tool can assist you in determining whether the name you’re looking to purchase is available for use for your company. It is only necessary to keep backup names, so you can easily choose the name.

Go to search for business names

You don’t need to create an account with the New Hampshire Department of State website to search for business names. If you scroll to the bottom part of the page, you’ll see a fine text beside a magnifying glass icon, which says “Search for Business Name.” Just click that option, and you will be directed to the search page.

Enter your name

There are three kinds of searches that you can perform on the page. You can look up the name of the entity, the business ID, or the filing number. It is necessary to type in the entity’s name or number to start the entire procedure.

Do the lookup

There are two ways of finding a name. Enter the search term, then you need to tick the “contains” option on the top list. You can also select “starts with” to get results for businesses that have similar names and words like yours. You can also choose to search for the exact match of names to find names having all the words you input.

Searches will reveal information on the current status of companies. Statuses may be a voluntary dissolution or involuntarily dissolved, or they can be in good standing. However, only voluntary dissolution of all the possible statuses permits you to use the name of your company.

F.A.Qs

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name (doing business as (DBA) name) is the official name under which a proprietor or company chooses to do business.

Is having a domain name necessary?

Having a domain isn’t necessary, but it is recommended. If you have a domain name, customers will find you more accessible through online means with your online website.

What if my name is unavailable?

For domestic LLC, you can simply brainstorm for another name if the one you pick is no longer available. For foreign LLC, you must think up a “fictitious name,” which you’ll use only in the state.

How Do I Reserve an LLC Name in New Hampshire

To reserve an LLC name in New Hampshire you need to submit a name reservation request form to the New Hampshire Secretary of State by mail or online by paying a filing fee of $15.

Reserving an LLC name may seem like a small step in the grand scheme of starting a business, but it is an important one. Your business name is a crucial part of your brand identity, and by reserving it, you are ensuring that no one else can use it in the state of New Hampshire. This can help prevent confusion among customers and protect your unique identity in the marketplace.

So, how do you reserve an LLC name in New Hampshire? The process is relatively straightforward. First, you’ll need to come up with a few potential names for your business. Next, you can check the availability of these names through the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s online name database. Once you have confirmed that your desired name is available, you can reserve it by filing a Name Reservation Request form with the Secretary of State.

When reserving an LLC name in New Hampshire, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, it’s crucial to choose a name that is distinct and not too similar to other existing businesses in the state. This will help prevent any potential legal issues down the road. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that your chosen name complies with New Hampshire’s naming requirements, which prohibit certain terms or phrases.

Reserving an LLC name is not a permanent solution. A name reservation in New Hampshire is only valid for 120 days, so it’s essential to follow up by filing your LLC formation documents within that timeframe. If you fail to do so, your name reservation will expire, and someone else could swoop in and take your desired name.

While reserving an LLC name is an important step in starting your business, it’s just one of many tasks you’ll need to complete. It’s crucial to thoroughly research and plan out your business before reserving a name to ensure that it accurately reflects your brand and your goals. You’ll also need to consider other aspects of forming an LLC, such as creating an operating agreement, obtaining any necessary licenses or permits, and registering for taxes.

Overall, reserving an LLC name in New Hampshire is a crucial step in starting your business. By taking the time to select a unique and appropriate name and following the proper procedures to reserve it, you can protect your brand identity and set your business up for success. While the process may seem overwhelming at first, with careful planning and attention to detail, you can ensure that your LLC name is reserved and ready for business.

In Conclusion

LLC names are important as it is the main identity of your business. While naming your LLC make sure to choose the one that suits the nature of your business. Follow the naming guidelines before you start filing your LLC name

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