Business Name/Trade Name/DBA

FAQs - BUSINESS NAME/TRADE NAME/DBA

1. How do I research my business name to make sure it is available? 
2. Does the Arizona Secretary of State research my business name to make sure no one else has that name?
3. How do I make my business name distinguishable from another name on record?
4. Does registering my business name with the Arizona Secretary of State protect it?

1.   How do I research my business name to make sure it is available?

Making sure your business name does not infringe on an existing business name, whether it is registered or not, involves research on your part. Arizona does not have a central database of all business names. Unlike some states, registration of trade names is not legally required in Arizona, even though it is an accepted business practice.

Name Research Guidelines:

The Phoenix Public Library Trade Names & Trademarks publication was prepared to help you check the availability of a proposed business, product, or service name before using a trade name or registering a trademark. Following the steps in this two-page handout may help you find potentially conflicting trade names and trademarks. Each step offers a higher degree of protection. (07)

Phoenix Public Library
Trade Names & Trademarks Publication
www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/include/pathfinders/Tradenames&Trademarks.pdf?lwbid=5603 

Research Registered Names: The Arizona Secretary of State provides research for registered names online or by calling them.
Arizona Secretary of State Registered Name Information Search www.azsos.gov/scripts/TNT_Search_engine.dll Phoenix: 602.542.4285 Tucson: 520.628.6583 Arizona Toll Free: 800.458.5842
Special Instructions for:	Check Name Availability with:
Limited Liability Companies, Corporations and Non-Profits	Arizona Corporation Commission http://starpas.azcc.gov/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wsbroker1/eforms.p?form-number=CF0059 602.542.3230
Construction Companies	Arizona Registrar of Contractors www.azroc.gov/clsc/AZROCLicenseQuery?pagerequest=name 602.542.1525
Mortgage Companies	Arizona Department of Financial Institutions www.azdfi.gov Arizona Department of Financial Institutions 602.771.2800 800.544.0708

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2. Does  the Arizona Secretary of State research my business name to make sure no one else has that name?

No. The Arizona Secretary of State only approves a name as being distinguishable from other names already on file with the Secretary of State and the Arizona Corporation Commission. It is up to you to research your name to make sure it does not infringe on an existing business name, whether it is registered or not.

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3. How do I make my business name distinguishable from another name on record? 

Trade Name - Business Name, DBA (Doing Business As):

The Secretary of State Trade Name Guidelines publication includes helpful information about what does and does not make a name distinguishable from another name on the record.

Arizona Secretary of State
Trade Name Guidelines Publication
www.azsos.gov/business_services/TNT/Default.htm

Corporate Name ( Limited Liability Company, Corporation or Non-profit):

The Arizona Corporation Commission Naming Standards provides guidelines to be used in defining "distinguishable." This information is available on the Arizona Corporation Commission website. (07)

Arizona Corporation Commission
Naming Standards
www.azcc.gov/divisions/corporations/filings/namingpolicy.asp

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4. Does registering my business name with the Arizona Secretary of State protect it?

No. The registration of trade names (business names, dba) is not legally required in Arizona, but is an accepted business practice. The registration of a trade name is a public record and does not constitute exclusive rights to the holder of the name.

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