California Business Name Checker
Check if your business name is available in California. Search the CA Secretary of State business registry instantly to verify name availability for your LLC, corporation, or partnership.
Reviewed by Slava Akulov, CEO & Co-Founder at Jupid · Last updated: July 2026
Search the official California Secretary of State business registry to verify name availability
1.Click the button above to open the official California Secretary of State business search
2.Enter your desired business name and search for existing registrations
3.Check for federal trademarks at USPTO.gov
4.Verify domain availability for your business name
5.Reserve the name by filing your LLC or corporation formation documents
California Business Name Requirements
Name Requirements
- • Must be distinguishable from existing entities
- • LLCs must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company"
- • Corporations must include "Inc", "Corp", or "Corporation"
- • Cannot suggest government affiliation
- • Cannot be misleading about business activities
- • Must comply with California Business and Professions Code
Restricted Words
- • "Bank", "Trust" (requires special licensing)
- • "Credit Union" (restricted use)
- • "University", "College" (requires approval)
- • "Engineer", "Architect" (professional licensing)
- • "Insurance" (requires licensing)
- • "Olympic" (federal trademark)
How to Check Name Availability in California
Use our tool above to search the California Secretary of State's database of registered business entities. This checks LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and DBAs.
Search the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) database at uspto.gov to ensure you're not infringing on existing trademarks.
Check if the matching .com domain is available for your business name. Your online presence is crucial for modern businesses.
Verify that your desired business name is available on major social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for consistent branding.
You can reserve a business name in California for 60 days by filing a Name Reservation Request (Form NR) with the Secretary of State (fee: $10).
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools
California Secretary of State Business Name Search
The California Secretary of State (SOS) maintains the official database of every registered LLC, corporation, limited partnership, and general partnership in the state. A name search through this database is the first step before filing Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation). The SOS applies a "not likely to mislead the public" standard, meaning your proposed name must be clearly distinguishable from all active entities on file.
California uses the bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov portal for entity searches. You can look up active, inactive, suspended, and dissolved entities. A name that matches a dissolved entity may still be available — dissolved names typically free up 5 yearsafter dissolution, though the SOS has discretion to release them earlier. If you find a "suspended" entity with your target name, that name is still considered taken until the entity is formally dissolved.
| Filing Type | State Fee | Processing Time | Expedited Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC (Articles of Organization) | $70 | 5–7 business days | $350 (24-hr) / $750 (same-day) |
| Corporation (Articles of Incorporation) | $100 | 5–7 business days | $350 (24-hr) / $750 (same-day) |
| Name Reservation (Form NR) | $10 | 5–7 business days | $350 (24-hr) / $750 (same-day) |
| Fictitious Business Name (DBA) | $10–$40 (county) | Varies by county | Not available |
The name reservation through Form NR holds your chosen name for 60 days and can be transferred to another person or entity. This is useful when you need time to prepare your operating agreement or gather member signatures before filing the full formation package.
California LLC and Corporation Naming Rules
California Corporations Code Section 17701.08 requires every LLC name to contain the words "Limited Liability Company" or one of its abbreviations: "LLC" or "L.L.C."The abbreviation "Ltd. Liability Co." is also accepted. The name cannot contain the words "Corporation," "Incorporated," or their abbreviations, as those imply a different entity type.
For California corporations, the name must include "Incorporated," "Corporation," "Limited," or an abbreviation ("Inc.," "Corp.," "Ltd.," "Co."). Professional corporations (law firms, medical practices) must use "A Professional Corporation" or its abbreviation.
Restricted words carry real consequences. Using "Bank" or "Trust" without approval from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) will result in a rejected filing. "Insurance" requires a license from the California Department of Insurance. The word "Olympic" is federally reserved under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and cannot be used in any state.
- "Bank" / "Trust" — requires DFPI approval or charter
- "Insurance" / "Surety" — requires CDI license
- "University" / "College" — requires Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval
- "Engineer" / "Architect" — requires professional licensing board authorization
- "CPA" / "Certified Public Accountant" — requires California Board of Accountancy license
California does not allow LLC names to imply a purpose the entity is not authorized to perform. For instance, an LLC formed for consulting cannot use "Medical Center" in its name without appropriate professional licensing.
Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Registration in California
A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) — commonly called a DBA — allows a California business to operate under a name different from its legal entity name. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 17900, any person or entity conducting business under a name that does not include the owner's legal surname (for sole proprietors) or the exact registered entity name must file an FBN statement.
Unlike entity formation, DBA registration happens at the county level. You file the Fictitious Business Name Statement with the county clerk's office in the county where your principal place of business is located. Filing fees vary by county — Los Angeles County charges $26 for one business name plus $7 for each additional name, while San Francisco charges $52 for the first name.
After filing, California law requires you to publish the FBN statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county within 30 days of filing. Publication must run once per week for 4 consecutive weeks. The newspaper then provides an affidavit of publication that you file with the county clerk to complete the process. Total publication costs typically range from $30 to $80 depending on the newspaper.
An FBN statement is valid for 5 years from the filing date. You must refile within 40 days before expiration to keep the name active. If you abandon the name, you must file an abandonment statement with the county clerk. Failing to file or renew an FBN can result in the inability to enforce contracts made under that name in California courts.
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