North Dakota DBA Name Search
Before filing your DBA in North Dakota, you need to make sure your desired business name is available. Using a name that's already registered can delay your filing or result in a rejection.
How to Check Name Availability
1. Search the North Dakota Secretary of State Database
The North Dakota Secretary of State maintains a database of registered business names in North Dakota. You can search it online at North Dakota Secretary of State.
Search for your exact desired name and common variations. Look for:
- Exact matches
- Names that are confusingly similar to yours
- Names that differ only by punctuation, spacing, or common words like "The" or "LLC"
2. Check County Records
Even though North Dakota handles DBA filings at the state level, checking county-level records can help you identify potential conflicts with local businesses.
3. Search Federal Trademark Records
Even if a name is available for DBA registration, it could be protected by a federal trademark. Search the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) database at uspto.gov to check for conflicts.
4. Check Domain Availability
If you plan to have a website for your business, check whether a matching domain name is available. This isn't required for DBA filing, but it's practical planning.
Name Requirements in North Dakota
Your DBA name must:
- Be different from names already registered in your filing jurisdiction
- Not be misleading (for example, it can't imply you're a government agency)
- Not include restricted words like "Bank," "Insurance," or "University" without proper licensing
What If Your Name Is Taken?
If your desired name is already registered:
- Try a variation (add your city, a descriptive word, or initials)
- Check whether the existing registration has expired — expired DBA names may be available for re-registration
- Consider a completely different name that still represents your business well
We Include a Name Search
Our $99 service fee includes a name availability search as part of the filing process. We check the name before submitting your paperwork, so you don't waste time or money on a name that's unavailable.