Business Name Availability Checklist Online (100% Free & Private)
Free business name availability checklist that runs in your browser. No sign-up, no install.
Business name checklist
This tool does not check whether a name is available. It gives you the steps and the official places to search. Steps start unticked.
Search your state's business name records
Each state keeps its own registry, usually run by the Secretary of State. Your name generally has to be distinguishable from existing entities in the state where you form. Rules differ by state and entity type.
SBA: choose your business name (links to state directories)Search USPTO trademarks
Use the USPTO trademark search to look for federally registered or pending marks that are similar in spelling, sound or meaning in your field. A clear search result is not legal clearance. Consider an attorney for anything you will build a brand around.
USPTO trademark searchCheck domain names
Look up your candidate domains with any registrar or a WHOIS tool. Check close variants and the .com in particular. The ideas below are only strings, not availability results.
ICANN domain lookupCheck social media handles
Search each network you plan to use for your handle ideas. Handles that are free today can be taken tomorrow, so claim the ones you need once the name is final.
Apply for an EIN if you need one
Many businesses need an Employer Identification Number to open a business bank account or hire employees. Applying directly with the IRS is free. Some sole proprietors without employees can use their SSN instead.
IRS: apply for an EIN onlineOpen a business bank account
Keeping business money separate makes bookkeeping and taxes simpler, and for an LLC or corporation it supports the separation between you and the company. Banks ask for formation documents and an EIN.
Check state tax registration and local licenses
If you sell taxable goods or services you may need a sales tax permit from your state, and your city or county may require a business license. Requirements vary, so check with your state department of revenue.
SBA: federal and state tax IDsName, domain and handle ideas
Type two to six words (a keyword, your surname, a place). The tool combines them with common prefixes and suffixes into candidate strings. Nothing here has been checked against any registry, registrar or social network.
What this tool does and who it is for
This is a seven-step checklist for vetting a business name and handling basic setup in the US: state name search, USPTO trademark search, domain, social handles, an EIN, a business bank account and state and local registration. Each step has a plain explanation and, where one exists, a link to the official page to do the search yourself.
A name idea generator combines two to six words you type with common prefixes and suffixes and lists candidate names, domain strings and handles. These are only strings. The tool never contacts a registry, registrar or social network, so it cannot say whether anything is available.
All steps start unticked. You can optionally remember your ticks and words on this device; otherwise a reload clears them.
Official Formula / Technical Standard
Real-World Worked Scenario
Step 1: Check state database for LLC name uniqueness. Step 2: Search USPTO for registered marks in your Nice Class. Step 3: Register .com domain. Step 4: Obtain free IRS EIN online.
When people use it
Vetting a name before filing an LLC
Work through the state name search, trademark check and domain lookup before paying a filing fee. A name that fails any of them is cheaper to drop now.
Brainstorming candidates
Type your keyword and surname and scan the generated list for names worth checking properly.
Planning a launch week
Treat the steps as a rough order of operations for opening a small online or local business.
Checking a sole proprietorship or DBA idea
If you plan to operate under a name different from your own, look at your state or county requirements for a DBA filing too. That is not a step on this list.
Notes for US users
- Business names are registered by state, usually with the Secretary of State or a similar office. Passing the state check does not give you nationwide rights to the name.
- A federal trademark search is done with the USPTO trademark search tool on uspto.gov. A clear result is not legal clearance.
- An EIN from the IRS is free to apply for directly on irs.gov. Be careful of third-party sites that charge a fee for the same form.
- Sales tax registration and licensing rules differ by state and city. Check your state department of revenue and local rules.
Limits and what to double-check
- •No lookups happen on this page. It cannot tell you whether a name, domain, trademark or handle is available.
- •Generated names are mechanical combinations. Some will read awkwardly; they are prompts, not recommendations.
- •The list is generic. It does not cover industry licenses, DBA filings, insurance or registered agents.
Expert Best Practices & Common Pitfalls
Recommended Best Practices
- •Perform a comprehensive trademark search in the USPTO trademark search before registering your state LLC to prevent costly cease-and-desist disputes.
- •Prioritize securing the primary .com domain and core social media handles before publicly announcing your business name.
- •Apply for your Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) directly on IRS.gov for free rather than paying third-party document preparers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Assuming that registering a state LLC name grants federal trademark rights across the entire United States.
- •Choosing descriptive or generic names that cannot be legally protected under trademark law.
- •Mixing personal and business finances without setting up a dedicated commercial bank account and EIN.
Step-by-Step Instructions
State Entity Search
Search your Secretary of State business registry to ensure your prospective company name is available.
USPTO Trademark Search
Search the USPTO trademark database to confirm your mark does not conflict with registered brands.
Check .com Domain & Handles
Verify top-level domain availability and secure matching usernames across primary social networks.
Complete Formation & EIN
File articles of organization with your state, obtain a free IRS EIN, and open a dedicated commercial bank account.
Features & Security Architecture
- 100% Client-Side Privacy: Your prospective brand names, LLC formation states, and business concepts remain private
- Official 7-Step Protocol: Covers state Secretary of State entity databases, USPTO trademarks, domains, and IRS EINs
- Interactive Progress Tracker: Dynamic completion percentage bar with interactive checkmarks for streamlined workflow
- Free Official Filing Links: Guidance on using direct free government portals without paying unnecessary agent fees
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this business name checklist?▼
This checklist walks you step-by-step through legal entity availability, trademark searches, domain acquisition, tax registration, and business banking setup.
Does state registration protect my business name nationwide?▼
No. State LLC or corporate registration only prevents other entities from registering the exact same name in that specific state. Nationwide brand protection requires a federal trademark with the USPTO.
Is the IRS EIN application really free?▼
Yes. The official IRS.gov website issues Employer Identification Numbers completely free of charge during regular operating hours.
Does this tool check if my name is available?▼
No. You must do the searches yourself using the links on each step, a domain registrar and the social platforms. Tick each box once you have personally checked.
Do sole proprietors need all seven steps?▼
Not necessarily. A sole proprietor may not need to form an entity, and may not need an EIN unless hiring or choosing to get one. Treat the list as a menu and ask an accountant what applies.
What is a DBA, and is it on the list?▼
A DBA, or assumed or fictitious name filing, lets you do business under a name that is not your legal name. Rules vary by state and sometimes by county. It is not one of the steps, so look up your local requirements.
Should I check the domain before or after the state name?▼
Either order works. Many founders check the domain and trademark first because those are hardest to change later. Do not buy anything until the name clears the searches.
Is my progress saved?▼
Only if you tick the box to remember it on this device. It is stored in your browser and never uploaded. The Clear button deletes it.