Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the New Hampshire Business Search tool to check if your corporation name is available.
We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire Corporation Name Search
The New Hampshire Department of State 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).
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How to Search Available New Hampshire Corporation Names
Once you know your corporation name meets New Hampshire business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the New Hampshire Business Search tool.
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 New Hampshire
Register Your Name
A corporation name is officially registered when you file your New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, known as a trade name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Department of State.
Reserve Your Name
While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in New Hampshire 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 by mail with the New Hampshire Department of State. The filing fee is $15.
Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.
New Hampshire Corporation Name Requirements
Key Guidelines
New Hampshire has official requirements for its corporation names.
The name must contain the words "corporation," "incorporated," or "limited;" the abbreviation "corp.," "inc.," or "ltd.;" or words or abbreviations of like meaning in another language.
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.
New Hampshire also has the following restrictions for corporation names:
- The name cannot imply that the corporation was organized for any non-permitted purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation.
- The name cannot include the words "farmers' market" unless the corporation meets the definition of a farmers' market.
- The name cannot include the name of a political party without authorization.
For more information, check out the New Hampshire state statute on corporation names.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other New Hampshire business names. In New Hampshire, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in New Hampshire:
- Articles
- Plural forms
- Phonetic spellings
- Abbreviations
- Prefixes and suffixes (excluding antonyms)
- Business entity type designators
- Numeric designation
- Punctuation and special characters
- Spacing
- Numerals vs. spelled out numbers
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.
New Hampshire Corporation Name Search FAQ
How do I check if a corporation name is taken in New Hampshire?
You can use the New Hampshire Business Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the New Hampshire 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 a New Hampshire 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.
Additionally, New Hampshire corporation names cannot imply that the corporation was organized for any non-permitted purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation, cannot include the words "farmers' market" unless the corporation meets the definition of a farmers' market, and cannot include the name of a political party without authorization.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the New Hampshire Corporation Name Requirements section.
Should I use a business name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your corporation, a corporation name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
Do I have to include ‘corporation’ in my name?
New Hampshire corporation names must contain the words "corporation," "incorporated," or "limited;" the abbreviation "corp.," "inc.," or "ltd.;" or words or abbreviations of like meaning in another language.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the New Hampshire Corporation Name Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every five years with the Department of State.
Can my business name be different from my corporation name in New Hampshire?
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 a trade name in New Hampshire.
In New Hampshire, trade names for corporations are filed with the Department of State.
Learn more about trade names with our New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire DBA guide.