Reserving A Business Name
Short Term Name Protection While You Prepare
to File
Why Reserve a Name?
If you are not quite ready to submit your
organizing documents, applying for a name reservation could save a
lot of trouble and expense. A lot of work goes
into the first stages of preparing to open a business. You
don't want to be one of the people who hired an attorney to
prepare organizing documents and ordered letterhead and signs,
only to find the chosen name unavailable.
What Does a Reservation Do?
A name reservation holds and protects the company
name you have chosen for 120 days from filing. Our staff adds the reserved
name to the business organizations database, and it will then
appear when a search is performed for name
availability.
What Limitations on Names Apply?
The name must be distinguishable from the name of any other company already registered with the
Secretary of State, and from any other reserved or registered name.
Also, several business types
have specific name limitations and requirements for
suffixes. See Choose a Business Name for information before
you file a name reservation.
How To Apply
Check
name availability |
Search
the Business
Organizations Data System, then call (304) 558-8000
to confirm availability. |
Complete
the application 
|
Click
the icon to download
the form in Acrobat Reader format, enter the
information, print, then sign the form. Need help?
See Acrobat Reader Help. Remember
the name is "owned" by the applicant for 120 days after approval, and the applicant must also sign
the business startup documents. |
File |
Submit
the application and $15 fee to the Business
Organizations Division. See Ordering
& Payment for more information. |
|
