California Business Name Checker
Check if your business name is available in California. Search the CA Secretary of State business registry instantly to verify name availability for your LLC, corporation, or partnership.
Search the official California Secretary of State business registry to verify name availability
1.Click the button above to open the official California Secretary of State business search
2.Enter your desired business name and search for existing registrations
3.Check for federal trademarks at USPTO.gov
4.Verify domain availability for your business name
5.Reserve the name by filing your LLC or corporation formation documents
California Business Name Requirements
✓ Name Requirements
- • Must be distinguishable from existing entities
- • LLCs must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company"
- • Corporations must include "Inc", "Corp", or "Corporation"
- • Cannot suggest government affiliation
- • Cannot be misleading about business activities
- • Must comply with California Business and Professions Code
✗ Restricted Words
- • "Bank", "Trust" (requires special licensing)
- • "Credit Union" (restricted use)
- • "University", "College" (requires approval)
- • "Engineer", "Architect" (professional licensing)
- • "Insurance" (requires licensing)
- • "Olympic" (federal trademark)
How to Check Name Availability in California
Use our tool above to search the California Secretary of State's database of registered business entities. This checks LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and DBAs.
Search the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) database at uspto.gov to ensure you're not infringing on existing trademarks.
Check if the matching .com domain is available for your business name. Your online presence is crucial for modern businesses.
Verify that your desired business name is available on major social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for consistent branding.
You can reserve a business name in California for 60 days by filing a Name Reservation Request (Form NR) with the Secretary of State (fee: $10).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to register a business name in California?
Once you file your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation), it typically takes 5-7 business days for standard processing, or 1-2 business days for expedited processing (additional fees apply). Your business name becomes officially registered once your formation documents are approved.
Can I use a DBA (Doing Business As) name in California?
Yes, you can register a DBA (also called a "Fictitious Business Name") in California if you want to operate under a name different from your legal business name. You must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with your county clerk's office and publish it in a local newspaper.
What if my desired name is taken?
If your desired name is already registered, you'll need to choose a different name. Try adding descriptive words, using synonyms, or changing the business structure designation (LLC vs Corp). You can also use our Business Name Generator to find creative alternatives.
Do I need to trademark my business name?
Registering your business with the California Secretary of State gives you state-level name protection, but not trademark protection. If you plan to operate nationally or want stronger legal protection for your brand, consider filing for a federal trademark with the USPTO. This prevents others from using similar names in your industry across the United States.
Can I change my business name after registration?
Yes, you can change your California business name by filing an Amendment to your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) with the Secretary of State. There's a filing fee, and you'll need to ensure the new name is available before filing the amendment.
How much does it cost to register a business name in California?
The filing fee for an LLC is $70, and for a Corporation is $100 (plus $15 Statement of Information fee). Expedited processing costs an additional $350 for 24-hour service or $500 for same-day service. Name reservation is $10 and optional.
Related Tools
California Secretary of State Business Name Search
The California Secretary of State (SOS) maintains the official database of every registered LLC, corporation, limited partnership, and general partnership in the state. A name search through this database is the first step before filing Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation). The SOS applies a "not likely to mislead the public" standard, meaning your proposed name must be clearly distinguishable from all active entities on file.
California uses the bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov portal for entity searches. You can look up active, inactive, suspended, and dissolved entities. A name that matches a dissolved entity may still be available — dissolved names typically free up 5 yearsafter dissolution, though the SOS has discretion to release them earlier. If you find a "suspended" entity with your target name, that name is still considered taken until the entity is formally dissolved.
| Filing Type | State Fee | Processing Time | Expedited Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC (Articles of Organization) | $70 | 5–7 business days | $350 (24-hr) / $750 (same-day) |
| Corporation (Articles of Incorporation) | $100 | 5–7 business days | $350 (24-hr) / $750 (same-day) |
| Name Reservation (Form NR) | $10 | 5–7 business days | $350 (24-hr) / $750 (same-day) |
| Fictitious Business Name (DBA) | $10–$40 (county) | Varies by county | Not available |
The name reservation through Form NR holds your chosen name for 60 days and can be transferred to another person or entity. This is useful when you need time to prepare your operating agreement or gather member signatures before filing the full formation package.
California LLC and Corporation Naming Rules
California Corporations Code Section 17701.08 requires every LLC name to contain the words "Limited Liability Company" or one of its abbreviations: "LLC" or "L.L.C."The abbreviation "Ltd. Liability Co." is also accepted. The name cannot contain the words "Corporation," "Incorporated," or their abbreviations, as those imply a different entity type.
For California corporations, the name must include "Incorporated," "Corporation," "Limited," or an abbreviation ("Inc.," "Corp.," "Ltd.," "Co."). Professional corporations (law firms, medical practices) must use "A Professional Corporation" or its abbreviation.
Restricted words carry real consequences. Using "Bank" or "Trust" without approval from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) will result in a rejected filing. "Insurance" requires a license from the California Department of Insurance. The word "Olympic" is federally reserved under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and cannot be used in any state.
- "Bank" / "Trust" — requires DFPI approval or charter
- "Insurance" / "Surety" — requires CDI license
- "University" / "College" — requires Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval
- "Engineer" / "Architect" — requires professional licensing board authorization
- "CPA" / "Certified Public Accountant" — requires California Board of Accountancy license
California does not allow LLC names to imply a purpose the entity is not authorized to perform. For instance, an LLC formed for consulting cannot use "Medical Center" in its name without appropriate professional licensing.
Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Registration in California
A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) — commonly called a DBA — allows a California business to operate under a name different from its legal entity name. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 17900, any person or entity conducting business under a name that does not include the owner's legal surname (for sole proprietors) or the exact registered entity name must file an FBN statement.
Unlike entity formation, DBA registration happens at the county level. You file the Fictitious Business Name Statement with the county clerk's office in the county where your principal place of business is located. Filing fees vary by county — Los Angeles County charges $26 for one business name plus $7 for each additional name, while San Francisco charges $52 for the first name.
After filing, California law requires you to publish the FBN statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county within 30 days of filing. Publication must run once per week for 4 consecutive weeks. The newspaper then provides an affidavit of publication that you file with the county clerk to complete the process. Total publication costs typically range from $30 to $80 depending on the newspaper.
An FBN statement is valid for 5 years from the filing date. You must refile within 40 days before expiration to keep the name active. If you abandon the name, you must file an abandonment statement with the county clerk. Failing to file or renew an FBN can result in the inability to enforce contracts made under that name in California courts.