Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Alaska Corporations Database to check if your corporation name is available.
We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in Alaska in this guide.
Recommended: You’ll want to secure your website domain name as soon as possible. Check GoDaddy to make sure it’s available.
Alaska Corporation Name Search
The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state. So, you’ll want to search and make sure no other businesses in the state are already using your name.
It is also useful to see if your corporation name is available as a web domain (URL).
SKIP AHEAD:
How to Search Available Alaska Corporation Names
Once you know your corporation name meets Alaska business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the Alaska Corporations Database.
Want to learn more about corporations? Check out our What Is a Corporation guide to get started.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When deciding on a name for your corporation, you should make sure that a similar or exact domain name is available. A matching URL will help potential customers find your corporation faster.
How to Register a Corporation Name in Alaska
Register Your Name
A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Alaska Articles of Incorporation. You can hire a professional service to form a corporation for you or start a corporation yourself.
Ready to register your corporation name? Use our Form a Corporation guide to get started.
If you want to register a DBA in Alaska, known as a business name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Reserve Your Name
While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in Alaska for up to 120 days before you register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you are ready to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed online or via hard copy with the Alaska Department of Commerce. The filing fee is $25. You can renew your name reservation twice.
Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.
Alaska Corporation Name Requirements
Key Guidelines
Alaska has official requirements for its corporation names.
The name must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of one of these terms.
There are also restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” that you cannot use in order to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Alaska also has the following restrictions for corporation names:
- The name may not contain a word or phrase that indicates or implies that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than the one contained in its articles of incorporation.
- The name of a city, borough, or village may be used in a corporation’s name; however, the name may not contain the word “city,” “borough,” or “village” or otherwise imply that the company is a municipality.
- The name may not contain a word with professional licensing restrictions, such as “Engineer,” unless the business has the appropriate professional license.
- Entity names that mislead regarding corporate purposes are not allowed. For example, a for-profit bookstore couldn’t name itself “Jen’s Not For Profit Charity Bookstore, Inc”.
For more information, check out the Alaska Department of Commerce website.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other Alaska business names. In Alaska, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences make a name distinguishable in Alaska:
- The name contains one or more different letters or numerals or has a different sequence of letters or numerals
- One of the key words is different
- The key words are the same, but they are in a different order
- The key words are the same, but the spelling is creative, unusual, or artistic
- The key words have a different meaning in their contexts and the words are not literally identical
- The difference in key words is between how a number is expressed, as a numeral, Roman numeral, or word representing a numeral
- An "s" is added or deleted to make the word plural, singular, or possessive
Different words or abbreviations that indicate the type of company (e.g., Corporation, LLC, Limited), differences in capitalization or punctuation, and the presence of articles (e.g., a, the, an) do NOT make a name distinguishable.
If your corporation name isn’t distinguishable, your Articles of Incorporation filing will likely be rejected.
What if my corporation name is already taken? Our AI-powered corporation name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
For a list of brainstorming tips, check out our guide to naming your business.
Alaska Corporation Name Search FAQ
How do I check if a corporation name is taken in Alaska?
You can use the Alaska Corporations Database to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the Alaska Corporation Name Search section.
Should I name my corporation after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming a corporation after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting a corporation is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered business name generator.
What words can’t be used in an Alaska corporation name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
In Alaska, a business name may not contain a word with professional licensing restrictions, such as “Engineer,” unless the business has the appropriate professional license. Additionally, business names may not contain the word “city,” “borough,” or “village” or otherwise imply that the company is a municipality.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Alaska Corporation Name Requirements section.
Should I use a business name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your corporation, a business name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
Do I have to include ‘corporation’ in my name?
Alaska corporation names must contain the word word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of one of these terms.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Alaska Corporation Name Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Alaska?
Alaska doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but Alaska DBAs, or business names, must be renewed by December 31 of the fifth year after registration and every five years after that.
You can renew via hard copy. The filing fee is $25.
Can my business name be different from my corporation name in Alaska?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or business name in Alaska.
In Alaska, business names for corporations are filed with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Learn more about business names with our Alaska DBA guide.
Does my corporation need a DBA name?
Your corporation doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more with our Alaska DBA guide.