One of the first and most important steps of any new business is finding the perfect name for your New Hampshire LLC.

Checking the LLC name availability in New Hampshire is an important step in the business formation process. It ensures your business name is distinguishable from the names of other New Hampshire businesses so that you do not violate anyone’s intellectual property rights.

Our New Hampshire LLC Name Search guide will show you how you can find available business names in New Hampshire, and how to reserve and register your business name.

How to Search for a New Hampshire LLC Name

Below are the four steps that you need to follow in order to conduct an LLC name search in New Hampshire.

Step 1: Follow the New Hampshire LLC Naming Guidelines

The first step is to ensure that your chosen name complies with the requirements of New Hampshire’s LLC naming guidelines as listed below:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations — LLC, L.L.C., or any other similar abbreviations.
• Your name cannot suggest an affiliation with any government agency, state agency, local government subdivision, or authority (FBI, Treasury, Real Estate Commission, etc.).
• You cannot have the same name as a recognized political party, unless you obtain written consent from the political party.
• You cannot use a name that is considered to be vulgar or so grossly offensive as to be unacceptable as a business name.
• You must not include the words “Home Health Care,” “Home Care,” “Visiting Nurse,” or derivatives of these terms unless you have a letter from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Facilities Administration, confirming that the business is licensed, or has applied for licensure with that agency.
• You must not use the words “bank,” “Credit Union,” or “Trust Company” unless approved by the New Hampshire Banking Department. 
• You cannot use the words “Farmers’ Market” unless your business meets the definition of a farmer’s market as outlined by the state legislature.
• You may only use words related to licensed professions such as “Architect,” “Architecture,” “Engineer,” or “Engineering” if you get approval from the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before registering. 
• You can only call your business a “Cooperative” if you operate on a cooperative basis and are registered in the state.

Selecting a name is just one of the several requirements when forming an LLC. To avoid improper or incomplete LLC formation documents, we recommend using the assistance of an LLC formation service.

Step 2: Look Up New Hampshire LLC Name Search Availability

The next step is to conduct a New Hampshire LLC name search. Below are a few ways to do a business name search in New Hampshire.

• LLC Name Search: Use the New Hampshire Department of State Business Name Lookup tool to check if your chosen business name is available. Alternatively, you can call the Information Line at (603) 271-3246 or email the Corporation Division (corporate@sos.nh.gov) to check if the business name you want to use is available. You may also try typing your business or trademark on any search engine to check businesses with similar names. This will also ensure your trademark is unique, meets the state’s requirements, and frees you from any legal hassles in the future.
• Domain Name Search: If your business name is still available, you must register for a domain name. Having a URL that matches your business name is important since this is how your potential and existing clients can find your business.

To determine the availability of your chosen URL, use a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy.

Step 3: Reserve Your New Hampshire LLC Name

You will need to submit an Application for Reservation of Name to the New Hampshire Secretary of State and pay a fee of $15. You can apply online.

Once you have filed your application, your name will be reserved for 120 days. You can extend the reservation by re-filing the form.

You will also need to submit a Certificate of Formation. This document will list your name and those of any other members of the company.

Using a New Hampshire DBA for Your LLC

In New Hampshire, a DBA (“doing business as”) name is known as a trade name. A DBA is your company name, regardless of whether you are a sole proprietor or co-own your company with others.

To use a DBA, you will need to either file an application online using the NH QuickStart website, or complete an Application for Registration of Trade Name and submit it to the New Hampshire Department of State.

LLC owners sometimes choose to brand their businesses with a DBA. Most sole proprietors and general partnerships use a DBA to create a brand other than their surnames.

Step 4: Register a New Hampshire LLC Trade or Service Mark

Doing a name search on the federal trademark database will tell you whether another business or person has already “marked” your name.

Once you verify the availability of your LLC name and secure it, you can choose to apply for a trade or service mark for your business.

However, you don’t have to check your trademark against the federal trademark database if you want to register your trademark in New Hampshire. Instead, you can apply to register your trademark with the New Hampshire Department of State. You can do this online for a fee of $50 plus a $2 online processing fee. Once you have applied, the Department of State will check your trademark against all other trademarks registered with the office.

New Hampshire Secretary of State Contact Information

Mailing Address

Corporation Division
New Hampshire Department of State
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301-4989

Physical Address

State House Annex, Room 317
25 Capitol Street, 3rd Floor
Concord, NH 03301

Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:00pm

Email: corporate@sos.nh.gov

Phone: (603) 271-3246