
A trading name lookup is a crucial step in verifying the legitimacy of a business. You can conduct a trading name lookup through government websites, such as ASIC in Australia or the UK's Companies House.
A trading name is not the same as a business name, and it's essential to understand the difference. For instance, a business name might be "ABC Pty Ltd", while its trading name could be "ABC Supermarkets."
You can perform a trading name lookup to check if a business is registered to use a particular name. This is particularly important if you're considering partnering with or investing in a company.
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Searching
You can search the business names register to find out if a name is available. For step-by-step instructions, see our user guide: Search business names index (PDF 601 KB).
To search by a business name, select 'Search within: Business names index' and enter the business name you want to search for. You can also search by a person or organisation to see any business names they hold.
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Searching by a person or organisation is a good way to find out if someone else has already registered a business name. You can search by their name, ABN or ACN.
If you want to check if a business name is available, there is a special search for this. It's called a business name availability search. Find out more: Name availability.
Before you register a business name, you should check if someone else has registered it, owns the trade mark rights to it or has used the name in their online branding.
Here are some resources to help you find out if a name is already in use:
- Our business lookup: General license
- Secretary of State Corporations Registration Data Search: Corporation and limited liability company names.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Commission: Search for federally registered names.
Always check the state's rules, as they are different for each state. You can also search most state databases online to determine whether the name is available.
Checking Availability
Before you register a business name, you should check if someone else has registered it, owns the trade mark rights to it, or has used the name in their online branding.
Social media is an easy, affordable, and effective way to promote your business and connect with customers.
To check if a business name is available, you can use online tools or visit your local clerk's office. If you are an LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, LP, or LLP, you should check if your business name is available with the New Jersey Department of Treasury.
You can search for available business names online or through the New Jersey Department of Treasury. If your name is available, you will reserve your name when you submit your business formation documents.
Here are some online tools you can use to find out if a name is already in use:
- Our business lookup: General license
- Secretary of State Corporations Registration Data Search: Corporation and limited liability company names.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Commission: Search for federally registered names.
Filing a federal trademark is not difficult, but getting the application approved can be tricky. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has several rules one must abide by in order to successfully trademark a business name.
Searching Options
You can search for a business name to find out the person or organisation that holds it. To do this, select 'Search within: Business names index' and enter the business name you want to search for.
You can also search the name of a person or organisation to see any business names they hold. This includes searching by an ABN or ACN.
To run a business name search in your state, always check the state's rules as they are different for each state. You'll need to follow the specific guidelines for your area.
If you're looking to register a business name, the process varies depending on your business type. For example, if you're an LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, LP, or LLP, you should check if your business name is available with the New Jersey Department of Treasury.
Information Available
You can get more information than the free search provides by paying for additional extracts of information. This can be a useful option if you need to dig deeper.
If you want to check whether a business name is available, there's a special search for this called a business name availability search. You can find out more about this search by visiting the Name availability section.
Paid information is available if you need more details than the free search offers. This can be a cost-effective way to get the information you need quickly.
To check if a business name is available, you'll need to use the business name availability search.
Precautions and Tests
Before finalizing your trading name, it's essential to test it out with others to ensure it doesn't have any negative connotations.
Ask friends, family, and potential customers for their honest feedback on your business name. You want to gauge their initial reaction and see if it gives them a positive image of your brand.
It's also crucial to consider if your business name might offend someone, as it's better to catch potential issues early on. A negative reaction from someone you care about can be a valuable warning sign.
To test your business name thoroughly, ask the people you've chosen if it: might offend someonehas a negative meaning in other languages or culturesis too specific to a product or place – in case you want to expand your business in the future.
Test First
It's a good idea to get feedback on your business name from friends, family, and potential customers. They can help you gauge whether your business name gives them a positive image of your brand.

Before finalizing your business name, ask friends and family if it might offend someone. You want to avoid a name that could be hurtful or insensitive to certain groups.
It's also a good idea to check if your business name has a negative meaning in other languages or cultures. This can help you avoid any cultural or linguistic faux pas.
Consider asking potential customers if your business name is too specific to a product or place. This can help you determine if you'll need to change your name if you plan to expand your business in the future.
Here are some things to consider when getting feedback on your business name:
- Ask if it might offend someone
- Check if it has a negative meaning in other languages or cultures
- Find out if it's too specific to a product or place
What If It's Stolen?
If a business name is taken, the business owner must come up with a different name. It should not be too similar to the taken name.
Some states will not allow the name if it is too similar, and a business owner doesn't want a name that the public can confuse with another business.

A business with a name similar to another business runs the risk of customers going to the other business instead of theirs. This can lead to lost sales and revenue.
The other business could also sue if the name is too similar, which can be a costly and time-consuming experience for the business owner.
About the Service
Our trading name lookup service is designed to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information.
We search multiple government and commercial databases to ensure comprehensive results. Our search covers various jurisdictions, including Australia, the UK, and the US.
Our service is available online, making it easy to access and use from anywhere.
Discover more: Trading Name Search Australia
Paid Information
If you need more information than the free search provides, you can pay for additional extracts of information. This paid option is available for those who require a more in-depth look at the data.
We've found that sometimes, the free search just isn't enough. You can pay for additional extracts of information to get the detailed data you need.
About This

Our service is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to everyone. We've implemented a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and find what you need.
We're committed to providing top-notch support, with a dedicated team available to answer your questions and resolve any issues you may encounter. Our response time is typically within 24 hours.
Our service is built on a robust and reliable infrastructure, ensuring that it remains stable and secure even during peak usage periods. This is backed up by our 99.9% uptime guarantee.
We're passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences, and we're constantly seeking ways to improve our service and exceed your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to look up registered trade names?
To look up registered trade names, visit the California Business Search and use the Advanced Search feature to filter by keyword or exact match. Simply enter your search term and click Search to find the information you need.
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