Steps for Starting a Business
Research and Choose Your Business Name

Choose your business name carefully. It is an important part of marketing your goods and services.

If you use a business name that is too much like the name or trademark of another business, you can be sued. Here is a list of resources to help you search for a good business name and to avoid names already being used.

• Search the Secretary of State database for names of corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships that have already been registered.
  
• Search the Department of Revenue database for names of businesses that have already been registered.
• Search for trademarks already registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office
• Search for trade names already registered with the Department of Licensing
• You may also contact the Corporations Division at the Office of the Secretary of State to look up trademarks registered in Washington State.

You may also check:

• Published telephone directories such as Qwest DEX or Anywho.com as well as your local phone books.
• Registered domain names at whois.net

Go to Start a Business index