Entity Name Reservation

Before filing to form a business, checking and reserving your company name (Entity Name Reservation) helps ensure your desired name doesn’t conflict with or cause confusion with a business already registered in that state.

This service is especially useful when you need time to prepare your filing but want to secure your desired company name before a competitor or another party registers it first.

Why use this service at AWE Global?

Avoid wasted time on corrections

Catch a name conflict early, before submitting the official filing.

Secure your company name

Ensures your desired name isn’t registered by someone else while you prepare.

Compliant naming

Ensures the company name follows each state’s specific naming rules.

Process

01Receive your proposed company name

02Search the state business registration database

03Suggest alternatives if the name conflicts

04File the official name reservation if requested

Documents / information needed

Proposed company name (2-3 options)
Intended state of registration

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until the official filing to check the company name, causing rework on the entire application if the name conflicts.
Not knowing the (usually limited) reservation period, letting the reservation expire before completing registration.
Choosing a name that’s confusingly similar to an existing brand, which can lead to legal disputes later even if the names aren’t identical.

Frequently asked questions

Is reserving a company name mandatory?

Not mandatory, but recommended if you need time to prepare your filing before submitting the official registration.

How long does a name reservation last?

Depends on the state, typically 60-120 days.

Does reserving a name guarantee successful registration?

Reserving a name only ensures no one else registers it first; the formation filing still needs to be reviewed separately.