Select a Business Name

Choosing a Business Name: What You Need to Know

Follow Legal Requirements

• Check State and Local Rules
  Follow the rules for business names in your state, city, and county.
• Protect Other Businesses’ Rights
  To avoid legal issues, make sure your chosen name isn’t already in use. Check for existing business names before you pick yours.
• Check Your Business Name in Maryland
  Before you finalize your business name, you must check if it’s available in Maryland.

Use the Maryland Business Express Name Search
Use this search to confirm that your business name is available in Maryland.

Reserve Your Business Name
Complete this form if you’ve found the perfect name but aren’t ready to register your business yet.

Register a Trade Name
Follow this process if your business is already registered, but you want to use a different name for trading. Provide the Department ID of the business that will use this Trade Name.

Register a Trademark for Your Business

You might want to register a trademark for your business. A trademark is a unique logo or symbol that sets your business apart from others.

Learn more about state and federal trademark requirements here:

• Maryland trademarks
• Federal trademarks