Verify Your Business Name With an Alaska Business Name Search

If you’ve already created your business plan and established your desired business structure in Alaska, the next step is to come up with an entity name that’s going to attract target consumers to your new business.

The Swyft Filings’ Alaska business entity search tool can help you achieve this. You don’t need to type in different business names in web browsers and determine whether a company with the name you want for your business resides in Alaska or not. This tool does that for you. You just need to complete these three steps:

1. Fill out a short form that includes your name, email, and desired Alaska business name, then type “Alaska” as the location of your future business.

2. Your results will be ready in an hour and delivered via the email address you’ve provided.

3. You can reserve the name for your business in Alaska if it’s available. Otherwise, you can search for another name by completing the form again.

Whether you want to start a small business or establish a large company, this service will be helpful. Read on to learn how to create a business name and quickly reach the business formation stage.

Key Takeaways

• All future entrepreneurs must abide by the business naming rules the Alaska Secretary of State sets if they desire a smooth and streamlined business registration.

• Several benefits come with your Alaska business name search and help your secure a successful business registration.

• You can continue your business formation by establishing a website and DBA and filing your Alaska LLC or corporation with a service like Swyft Filings.

Alaska’s Business Name Conventions

Before opening the Alaska business name search tool, you should read through the naming conditions set by the Alaska Secretary of State.[1] They are located on Alaska’s state website under the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, or you can read through the section below.

Your Alaska business name must be distinguishable to prevent any legal conflicts with an existing business. This entails the following differences:

• Different letters or numbers

• Different keyword(s)

• Different order of the same keywords

• A “creative, unusual, or artistic” spelling of the same keywords[2]

• Same keywords with different meanings

• A different way of presenting numerals

• Adding an “s” for plurality or possessiveness

On the other hand, non-distinguishable names are those which differ only in the following aspects:

• The addition or deletion of entity indicators, i.e., “Corporation,” “limited liability company,” etc.

• Changes in punctuation marks, special characters, and spacing

• Capitalization of words

• Differences regarding articles, conjunctions, prepositions, or symbols

Apart from the rules mentioned above, there are also several restrictions you need to watch out for:

• Words like “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited” or their variations and abbreviations must only be used by corporations in Alaska.

• The name of your Alaska business can’t imply affiliation with the government unless it’s an organization working under it.

• Your Alaska business name can’t mislead people by including words unrelated to your business.

• Without a professional license, your business name can’t include words that indicate a connection to such a profession.

• You can’t include vulgar names prohibited by local law or agency.

• Your business name must be the same one as stated on your Alaska Business License.

Benefits of an Alaska Corporation Search

As mentioned, an Alaska corporation search makes your business registration run smoothly. The following list will give you a clearer picture of exactly how conducting this search helps you and your business in Alaska.

• An Alaska corporation search gives you much more than just the business’s name. You’ll get valuable insight into the company, such as the registered agent’s information, the company’s status, and contact information.

• By doing an Alaska corporation search, you’ll save the time you’d otherwise spend searching for an available business name on your own.

• Confirming that another business in Alaska has a similar name will prevent legal conflicts that arise if you claim its name.

• Your business licenses and other necessary documentation will arrive sooner if you conduct an Alaska business entity search and avoid mistakes.

Next Steps

You’re on the right track once you figure out how to check business name availability. You only need to complete a few more steps before registering your business in Alaska.

Complete Your Name Reservation

To prevent someone from claiming your chosen business name before you do, reserve it with the Alaska Secretary of State.

Alaska business name reservation is available on the state website under the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing section.[3] You’ll have to provide the name you wish to reserve, the mailing address, the physical address, the owners, the signature, and the contact information.

The filing fee is $25, and the reservation lasts 120 days. This period is enough time to compile other mandatory paperwork like the Articles of Organization or the Articles of Incorporation. After the first 120 days expire, you can only renew your business name reservation twice, and the renewal costs an additional $25 each time.

Choose a Domain Name

By establishing a website for your business, you can reach audiences outside of Alaska and increase your revenue. A user-friendly and well-organized website is also a sign of professionalism that’ll build trust with your current clients and attract new ones.

However, to ensure your customers know the website is connected to your Alaska business, you’ll have to create a domain name representing your brand. It’ll be what your consumers type in when they need your products and services.

Squarespace’s easy-to-use domain search tool can help you quickly find and register a domain name that matches your Alaska business. You can then choose from Squarespace’s flexible website templates, pre-designed layouts, and curated design elements to build a website — no coding required. Start your business with Swyft Filings and receive a free domain from SquareSpace for one year.

Consider a DBA

If the name you wish to claim for your Alaska business isn’t available, you can try claiming it with a DBA. A DBA, or “doing business as,” allows you to sell your products and services under various names. This is a valuable feature if your business has multiple branches, and your goods or services won’t sell well if your initial business name is confusing. This is also useful for owners who used their name as their Alaska business name and wish to change it for privacy reasons.

Filing for a DBA in Alaska costs $25 and lasts five years. After that, you can renew your ownership for another $25. Before paying the necessary fees, ensure your DBA doesn’t match other existing DBAs in Alaska. You can search Alaska’s state website for a DBA name.

Make sure that you have the necessary licenses for your Alaska business. Lastly, fill out the online form on the website or download the DBA registration PDF and send it to this address:

• Corporations Section

• State Office Building, 333 Willoughby Avenue, 9th Floor

• Juneau, AK 99811

File Your Business Online

After completing the previous steps, you’ll finally be ready to file your Alaska LLC or corporation. You can quickly complete this with Swyft Filings. We’re a document filing service that does the job for you. You have to go through these three steps, and your Alaska LLC is almost ready:

• Fill out a 10-minute form that requires some information about your business.

• Let Swyft Filings prepare all the necessary paperwork and file it with the Alaska Secretary of State.

• Wait for the state-approved documents to arrive at your doorstep in a completed LLC package.

Even after the registration process is finished, Swyft Filings can guide you through changing your business name, helping you obtain EIN and the certificate of good standing, changing your registered agent, and much more.

FAQs

What is the Alaska Secretary of State Business Entity Search?

The Alaska Secretary of State Business Entity Search database allows you to find corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered within the State of Alaska.[4] On its search page, you can type in the entity number or the words the entity name contains or starts with. You’ll get the entire business entity name, entity type, entity number, formation date, expiration date, status (e.g., good standing, dissolved, etc.), mailing address, physical address, officials, registered agent name, and the following biennial report due date.

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

Figuring out whether a business is registered in Alaska can be done through a business entity search. You can perform it using the Alaska Secretary of State search tool or the Swyft Filings free service.

How much does an Alaska business entity search cost?

You can complete an Alaska business entity search for free.

How do I register an entity in Alaska?

The process of registering an entity in Alaska will depend on the type of entity you’re forming. For example, corporations are slightly more complex to register than LLCs. However, some general steps apply to all businesses across the nation, including those in Alaska:

• Check your entity name availability and name your business by following your state’s naming conventions.

• Assign your business a registered agent.

• Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN).

• Set up a business bank account.

• Form an Operating Agreement for your Alaska business.

Are business licenses free in Alaska?

Business licenses in Alaska cost $50 per year. If you plan on selling any product containing nicotine, such as tobacco or electronic smoking products, your products must be endorsed, and your Alaska business license will cost an additional $100 per endorsement.[5] You’ll also need a license for each DBA you create.[1]

What is the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development?

The Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCCED) is Alaska’s government agency that regulates the state’s economy and protects its consumers.

Bibliography

1. Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. “Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: Selecting a Name for your Business.“ Accessed May 22. 2023.

2. Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. “Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: How to Determine a ‘Distinguishable’ Name.“ Accessed May 22. 2023.

3. Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. “Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: Business or Corporation Name Reservation.“ Accessed May 22. 2023.

4. Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. “Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: Search Corporations Database.“ Accessed May 22. 2023.

5. Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. “Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing: Business Licensing Forms & Fees.“ Accessed May 22. 2023.