Name availability · MN
Minnesota business name search
Minnesota's Business Filings Online search lets you choose Begins With or Contains, filter by Active or Inactive, and include or exclude prior names. Minnesota only requires a difference of one letter or numeral after it standardizes names. Assumed names are not checked against each other at all.
How to check if a name is available in Minnesota
- 01
Open Business Filings Online
Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's business search on mblsportal.sos.mn.gov.
- 02
Set scope and status
Choose Begins With or Contains, and include Inactive filings for a complete picture.
- 03
Include prior names
Switch "Include Prior Names" on to see businesses that used your name before renaming. It helps you avoid brand confusion.
- 04
Check availability by entity type
To check a name formally, choose your entity type in Business Filings Online, type the name and pick the entity designation from the dropdown.
- 05
Search trademarks and digital handles
Search https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/ for federal trademarks, then check the domain and social handles.
- 06
Generate variations
If a name is taken, our free /business-name-generator/ can produce alternatives to test.
Minnesota business naming rules
- Names must differ by at least one letter or numeral from names already on file.
- Before comparing, the office replaces "&" with "AND," removes spaces and everything except A–Z and 0–9, and looks at up to 250 characters.
- Plurals, Roman numerals, numerals vs words, contractions, abbreviations, word variations and entity designations count as acceptable differences.
- Assumed names aren't checked against other assumed names, because the law allows the same or similar assumed name to be filed.
Reserving a name
Minnesota's Business Filings Online lets you check name availability by entity type before filing. We did not confirm the details of a name reservation filing on the pages we reviewed, so ask the Secretary of State before relying on one, and check the current fee on the agency's site.
DBAs and trade names
Minnesota assumed names (DBAs) are filed with the Secretary of State on a Certificate of Assumed Name, which state law says must be filed and published before you do business under the name.
Still looking for the right name?
Brainstorm dozens of options with the free generator, then run your shortlist through the Minnesota search above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a business name is available in Minnesota?
In Business Filings Online, select your entity type, type the proposed name and choose the entity designation from the dropdown to check availability.
Can two Minnesota businesses have the same assumed name?
Yes. The Secretary of State doesn't check assumed names against each other, because the law allows the same or similar assumed name.
Is "Lakes & Loons" different from "Lakes and Loons" in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota replaces "&" with "AND" before comparing, so the two would conflict.
Do I have to publish my assumed name in Minnesota?
Yes. The Certificate of Assumed Name instructions say it must be filed and published before you do business under that name.
General information, not legal advice. Name approval is decided by the Minnesota Secretary of State; a name showing as available in a search is not a guarantee it will be accepted.