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Name availability · AK

Alaska business name search

In Alaska you check name availability by searching the Division of Corporations' corporations database, where you can match names that start with or contain your words. Your name has to be "distinguishable" from every reserved and registered name on file, and Alaska is strict about corporate words, municipal words and the word "Bank".

How to check if a name is available in Alaska

  1. 01

    Open the corporations database search

    Go to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing search page. You can search by entity name or by entity number.

  2. 02

    Run "Contains" as well as "Starts With"

    Alaska lets you pick Starts With or Contains. Try both: Contains catches names like "The Northern Light Coffee Co" when you searched "Northern Light".

  3. 03

    Uncheck "Current Only" for a full picture

    The Current Only box hides older records. Leave it on to see what blocks you today, then turn it off to spot old names you may want to avoid for brand reasons.

  4. 04

    Check the name against Alaska's word limits

    Before you settle, make sure the name doesn't imply a city, borough or village and that it uses only the corporate indicators allowed for your entity type.

  5. 05

    Look beyond the state database

    Search https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/ for federal trademarks, then check domain availability and the social handles you plan to use.

  6. 06

    Generate backups

    If the search turns up conflicts, use our free generator at /business-name-generator/ to come up with alternatives and test them the same way.

Alaska business naming rules

  • The name must be distinguishable from every other reserved or registered name on file with the Corporations Section.
  • Names cannot include "city", "borough" or "village" or otherwise suggest a municipality, unless the word is part of an actual place name.
  • Each entity type can use only its own corporate indicators. A business corporation uses words like Incorporated, Company, Limited or Corporation and cannot use LLC.
  • Unregistered businesses and sole proprietors cannot use words like Incorporated, Corporation, Limited or LLC that suggest an entity.
  • "Bank" requires approval from the Division of Banking & Securities, including for non-bank uses such as a food bank.

Reserving a name

Alaska offers a name reservation that holds a name for 120 days. You can also register a business name for five years (renewable) if you have an Alaska Business License in that name. Check the current fee on the agency's site.

DBAs and trade names

In Alaska a DBA is tied to the Alaska Business License: the name on your business license is your "business name" or DBA. Separately, the Corporations Section lets you register a business name for five years if you hold a business license in that same name.

Still looking for the right name?

Brainstorm dozens of options with the free generator, then run your shortlist through the Alaska search above.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a business name is available in Alaska?

Search the Division of Corporations' corporations database using both Starts With and Contains. Any reserved or registered name that isn't distinguishable from yours will block your filing.

What is the difference between a DBA and a registered business name in Alaska?

Your DBA comes from your Alaska Business License. A business name registration is a separate Corporations Section filing that protects the name for five years, and it requires a business license in that same name.

Can I put "City" in my Alaska business name?

Generally no. Alaska rejects names that use "city," "borough" or "village" or that suggest a municipality, unless you are using the name of an actual place.

How long does an Alaska name reservation last?

A reservation holds the name for 120 days. If you need longer protection before forming, look at the five-year business name registration.

General information, not legal advice. Name approval is decided by the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development); a name showing as available in a search is not a guarantee it will be accepted.