How to Check Corporation Name Availability in Vermont


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

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

Vermont Corporation Name Search

The Vermont 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 Vermont
  2. Vermont Corporation Name Requirements
  3. Vermont Corporation Name Search FAQ

How to Search Available Vermont Corporation Names

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

Register Your Name

A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Vermont 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 Vermont, known as an assumed business 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 Vermont 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 with the Vermont Secretary of State. The filing fee is $20.

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

Vermont Corporation Name Requirements

Key Guidelines

Vermont has official requirements for its corporation names.

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

Vermont also has the following restrictions for corporation names:

  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, falsely imply governmental affiliation.
  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, denigrate or defame people or groups based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, age, or disability.
  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, depict or describe sexual or excretory organs or the activities or products thereof.
  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, appeal to the prurient interest; or depict, describe in terms patently offensive or threatening, or such words or phrases that imply such terms, regarding sexual conduct.
  • The name cannot include the word "cooperative" or its abbreviation unless the corporation is a worker cooperative corporation or it is organized as a cooperative association.

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

Distinguishability

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

  • Different key words or numerals
  • Different order of the same key words

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

  • Punctuation, special characters, spacing
  • Articles, prepositions, and conjunctions
  • Prefixes and suffixes 
  • Business type identifiers
  • Abbreviations, contractions, alternate spellings
  • Homographs (words spelled the same with different meanings)
  • Numerals vs. word form of numbers
  • Different tenses

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.

Vermont Corporation Name Search FAQ

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

You can use the Vermont business search tool to see if your business name is available.

Learn more about business entity name availability in the Vermont 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 Vermont 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, Vermont corporation names have the following restrictions:

  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, falsely imply governmental affiliation.
  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, denigrate or defame people or groups based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, age, or disability.
  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, depict or describe sexual or excretory organs or the activities or products thereof.
  • The name cannot include words or phrases that, in context, appeal to the prurient interest; or depict, describe in terms patently offensive or threatening, or such words or phrases that imply such terms, regarding sexual conduct.
  • The name cannot include the word "cooperative" or its abbreviation unless the corporation is a worker cooperative corporation or it is organized as a cooperative association.

Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Vermont 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?

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

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

Do I need to renew my business name in Vermont?

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

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

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 assumed business name in Vermont. 

In Vermont, assumed business names for corporations are filed with the Secretary of State.

Learn more about assumed business names with our Vermont 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 Vermont DBA guide.