The name of any business entity must be distinguishable from other business entity names on file in the Office of the Secretary of State.
A preliminary name availability check can be made by writing to the Secretary of State, by phoning (502) 564-3490, or by checking the Name Availability Search on this website.
This preliminary check is not statutorily required, is not binding upon the Secretary of State, and does not confer any rights to the name. The availability of a name can change at any time. A name may be reserved to ensure availability. An Application for Reserved Name is available from the Secretary of State to reserve a name prior to formation of a particular business.
This includes the names of existing Kentucky corporations, both profit and nonprofit, foreign corporation authorized to do business in Kentucky, limited partnership filed with the Secretary of State, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnership, as well as assumed names, and names reserved or registered with the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State's acceptance of a business entity's name simply means that the name is "distinguishable upon the records" of the Secretary of State. Acceptance of a name does not mean that the name is necessarily protected for use in selling products or rendering services.
A preliminary name availability check can be made by writing to the Secretary of State, by phoning (502) 564-3490, or by checking the Name Availability Search on this website. This preliminary check is not statutorily required, is not binding upon the Secretary of State, and does not confer any rights to the name. The availability of a name can change at any time. A name may be reserved to ensure availability. An Application for Reserved Name is available from the Secretary of State to reserve a name prior to formation of a particular business.