How to Check Corporation Name Availability in North Dakota


Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the North Dakota Business Search tool to check if your corporation name is available.

We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in North Dakota 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.

Woman doing a North Dakota corporation name search on her computer.

North Dakota Corporation Name Search

The North Dakota Secretary 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).

SKIP AHEAD:

  1. How to Register a Corporation Name in North Dakota
  2. North Dakota Corporation Name Requirements
  3. North Dakota Corporation Name Search FAQ

How to Search Available North Dakota Corporation Names

Once you know your corporation name meets North Dakota business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the North Dakota 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.

Find a Domain Now

How to Register a Corporation Name in North Dakota

Register Your Name

A corporation name is officially registered when you file your North Dakota 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 North Dakota, known as a trade name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Secretary of State.

Reserve Your Name

While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in North Dakota for up to 12 months 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 with the North Dakota Secretary of State. The filing fee is $10.

Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.

North Dakota Corporation Name Requirements

Key Guidelines

North Dakota 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.

North Dakota also has the following restrictions for corporation names:

  • The name cannot contain the words "limited liability company," "limited partnership," "limited liability partnership," "limited liability limited partnership," or any abbreviation of these words.
  • The name cannot imply that the corporation was organized for an unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation.

For more information, check out the North Dakota state statute on corporation names.

Distinguishability

Your name must be distinguishable from all other North Dakota business names. In North Dakota, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.

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.

North Dakota Corporation Name Search FAQ

How do I check if a corporation name is taken in North Dakota?

You can use the North Dakota Business Search tool to see if your business name is available.

Learn more about business entity name availability in the North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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, North Dakota corporation names cannot contain the words "limited liability company," "limited partnership," "limited liability partnership," "limited liability limited partnership," or any abbreviation of these words, and they cannot imply that the corporation was organized for an unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation.

Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the North Dakota 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?

North Dakota corporation names must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or an abbreviation of one of these terms.

Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the North Dakota Corporation Name Requirements section.

Do I need to renew my business name in North Dakota?

North Dakota doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every five years with the Secretary of State.

Can my business name be different from my corporation name in North Dakota?

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 trade name in North Dakota. 

In North Dakota, trade names for corporations are filed with the Secretary of State.

Learn more about trade names with our North Dakota 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 North Dakota DBA guide.