How to Check Corporation Name Availability in Utah


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

We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in Utah 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 Utah corporation name search on her computer.

Utah Corporation Name Search

The Utah Department of Commerce 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 Utah
  2. Utah Corporation Name Requirements
  3. Utah Corporation Name Search FAQ

How to Search Available Utah Corporation Names

Once you know your corporation name meets Utah business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the Utah Business Name 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 Utah

Register Your Name

A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Utah 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 Utah, known as an assumed name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Department of Commerce.

Reserve Your Name

While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in Utah 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 by mail with the Utah Department of Commerce. The filing fee is $22.

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

Utah Corporation Name Requirements

Key Guidelines

Utah has official requirements for its corporation names.

The name must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” or “incorporated” 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.

Utah also has the following restrictions for corporation names:

  • The name cannot suggest in any way that the corporation is an agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
  • The name cannot imply that the corporation was organized for a purpose other than the one outlined in its articles of organization.
  • Approval from certain agencies is required to include certain restricted words:
    • Utah Division of Consumer Protection: College, Institute, University, Institution
    • United States Olympic Committee: Olympic, Olympiad, Citius Altius Fortius
    • Department of Financial Institutions: Bank, Banker, Banking, Banc, Banque, Banco, Bancorp, Bancorporation, Bankcard, Bancard, Savings Association, Building Association, Savings and Loan Assoc., Building and Loan Assoc., Savings Bank, Industrial Loan Corp., ILC, Thrift, Credit Union, Trust, Trustee, Trust Company, ESCROW, escrow

For more information, check out the Utah Department of Commerce website.

Distinguishability

Your name must be distinguishable from all other Utah business names. In Utah, 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 Utah:

  • Different key words
  • Different order of the same key words
  • Creative spelling of the same words

The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Utah:

  • Business entity type identifiers
  • Words or symbols of the words "the," "and," "a," or "plus”
  • Punctuation or special characters
  • Capitalization
  • Singular vs. plural forms
  • Spacing
  • Abbreviations

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.

Utah Corporation Name Search FAQ

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

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

Learn more about business entity name availability in the Utah 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 Utah 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, Utah corporation names cannot suggest in any way that the corporation is an agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions, cannot imply that the corporation was organized for a purpose other than the one outlined in its Articles of Incorporation, and need approval to include certain other words.

Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Utah 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?

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

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

Do I need to renew my business name in Utah?

Utah doesn't require corporations to renew their legal name, but assumed names must be renewed every three years with the Department of Commerce.

Can my business name be different from my corporation name in Utah?

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 an assumed name in Utah. 

In Utah, assumed names for corporations are filed with the Department of Commerce.

Learn more about assumed names with our Utah 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 Utah DBA guide.