New Hampshire business entity search and name check

What the New Hampshire search covers

QuickStart covers business entities filed with the Corporation Division: corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs, nonprofits and out-of-state registrations. Trade names and trademarks are also filed with the Corporation Division.

Each record has a Business ID. Search by number on the NH QuickStart.

How to read New Hampshire results

New Hampshire does not publish definitions for its status labels in one place. We show the official wording exactly as the registry gives it.

A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.

New Hampshire business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, L.L.C., LLC, a similar abbreviation. A corporation uses one of: corporation, incorporated, limited, corp., inc., ltd., an equivalent word or abbreviation in another language.

A name must be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records from, and not the same as, the names of registered entities, reserved names, and fictitious names of out-of-state entities. It also can't be the name of a U.S. or state agency or a recognized political party, or use 'farmers' market' unless it qualifies. The statute lists differences that don't make a name distinguishable. (RSA 304-C:32, III-a (LLCs); RSA 293-A:4.01(b-1) (corporations)) Source: gc.nh.gov

When comparing names, New Hampshire disregards: an article (a, an, the); plural forms of the same word; a phonetic spelling of the same word; an abbreviation instead of the full word; a prefix, suffix or other form of the same word (opposites excepted); a different entity designator; an added number, unless the current holder consents; punctuation or special characters, unless they change the meaning; spacing between letters or numbers; an Arabic numeral, Roman numeral or word for the same number in the same position. Our name check applies these same rules.

Words that need approval or are restricted

Professional LLCs

Professional LLCs are formed under RSA 304-D (referenced in RSA 304-C:36).

Using a similar name with consent

Yes. You can use a name that isn't distinguishable with the holder's written consent (adding words if the names are identical), with consent plus the holder's promise to change its own name, or with a court judgment (RSA 304-C:32, IV-V; RSA 293-A:4.01(c)).

Reserving a name in New Hampshire

New Hampshire lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $15, held for 120 days. For an LLC, the same applicant can reserve the name again for further 120-day periods (RSA 304-C:27, III). A corporation's reservation can't be renewed (RSA 293-A:4.02(a)).

File an application for reservation of name with the Secretary of State, online through QuickStart or on a paper form.

New Hampshire name reservation Source: gc.nh.gov

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Corporation Division can.

Forming an LLC in New Hampshire

Document

Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1)

State filing fee

$100
The $100 fee is set by state law (RSA 304-C:191, II(c)).

File online

Corporation Division filing

Registered agent

An LLC must keep a New Hampshire registered office and agent. The agent can be a New Hampshire resident whose home or business office is the registered office, or a corporation, LLC, PLLC or LLP formed or authorized in New Hampshire whose business office is the registered office (RSA 304-C:36, I).

Out-of-state LLC registering here

$100 (Application for Registration as a Foreign Limited Liability Company)

Fees change. Confirm them on the official New Hampshire fee schedule before you file.

Keeping a New Hampshire LLC in good standing

Annual Report: $100. Due between January 1 and April 1 each year, starting the year after formation or registration. An entity formed or registered between December 1 and April 1 skips that year's report (RSA 304-C:194, III). Late fee: $50. Source: gc.nh.gov

New Hampshire has no broad personal income tax, but businesses may owe two state taxes. The Business Profits Tax is 7.5% (for periods ending on or after December 31, 2023), with a return required when gross business income exceeds $92,000 (RSA 77-A). The Business Enterprise Tax is 0.55%, with a return required when gross receipts or the enterprise value tax base exceeds $250,000 (RSA 77-E). Both thresholds are adjusted every two years.

Corporations also pay $100 for the annual report, with a $50 late fee. Reinstating an LLC or corporation after administrative dissolution costs $135, or $500 for late reinstatement (RSA 304-C:191, II(f); RSA 293-A:1.22).

Proof of status: Certificate of Good Standing (LLC) / Certificate of Existence or Authorization (corporation) ($5). Source: gc.nh.gov

Assumed names (DBAs)

Sole proprietors using a name other than their own, and partnerships, trusts and associations, must register a trade name with the Corporation Division (RSA 349). It costs $50 and lasts 5 years. Corporations, LLCs, LPs and LLPs registered under their own laws don't need to. Source: gc.nh.gov

Good to know about New Hampshire

• New Hampshire's statute spells out what doesn't make a name different: plurals, phonetic spellings, articles, designators, punctuation, spacing and number formats. Source: gc.nh.gov
• An LLC name reservation can be renewed for further 120-day periods, but a corporation's can't. Source: gc.nh.gov
• Every LLC and corporation must file its annual report by April 1. A late report costs $50 extra, and late reinstatement costs $500. Source: gc.nh.gov
• There's no broad income tax, but the 7.5% Business Profits Tax applies once gross business income passes $92,000 (adjusted every two years). Source: gc.nh.gov
• The 0.55% Business Enterprise Tax applies once gross receipts or the enterprise value tax base passes $250,000 (adjusted every two years). Source: gc.nh.gov
• Since January 1, 2026, a person can file a sworn statement reporting that an entity was formed, or its records changed, using their identity or business information without consent. Source: gc.nh.gov

Sources and accuracy

We checked this page against official New Hampshire sources on October 30, 2026. Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Corporation Division can change an official record.