How to Find Available Business Names
- 1). Check with your state's department of commerce. Usually in each state the department of commerce is responsible for registering new businesses and keeping track of their details. Many states have a website set up for their department of commerce where you can search for available business names without even having to call them directly.
- 2). Contact the small business administration. This is a government run agency that handles all sorts of duties related to small businesses and often has extensive records relating to the names and registration details various types of businesses. You can visit their website at sba.gov where you can perform a name search and also obtain their telephone contact information if you are more comfortable talking on the phone instead of using a computer.
- 3). Place a phone call to the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service has records upon records of business names and other important information. If you call and speak to a representative they may be able to give you the information that you are looking for, depending upon how many business names you're trying to check. Sometimes they aren't able to give direct information about another business, but you can always ask and it won't cost you any money to try.
- 4). Use a web search engine. Typing the business name that you're questioning into any internet search engine will produce results related to that keyword. You can look over these results to see if any of them are related to another business or company. While this isn't the most official way to search for an available business name, it can be a useful way to supplement your other search methods.
- 5). Hire an outside company. There are a number of companies that will search for and register the business name of your choosing usually for a flat fee. This is something that you can do yourself, so you don't necessarily need to pay someone else to do it, but if you are running short on time it may be a reasonable option.
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