New Hampshire Secretary of State business entity search

New Hampshire's Business Record Search

New Hampshire's state business registry is maintained by the Secretary of State's Corporation Division. Its Business Record Search, on the NH QuickStart website, is where you look up an existing registration. Per the state's FAQ, most charter documents can be searched, viewed and downloaded there at no charge.

The search shows what is already registered. It does not settle whether a new name will pass, because Corporation Division staff determine name availability when a business registration is received.

Processing times vary by filing type and time of year. The state posts its current processing date in the Announcements on the NH QuickStart login page. In-person expedited service in the Customer Lobby costs an additional $25.

What makes a New Hampshire LLC name different

RSA 304-C:32 requires an LLC name to be distinguishable from, and not the same as, other names on the Secretary of State's records. The statute names several differences that do not count. They include an article, a plural form of the same word and phonetic spelling. An abbreviation in place of a complete spelling and a changed word that indicates entity status do not count either.

Adding a numeric designation does not count unless the current name holder consents. Differences in punctuation or special characters do not count unless they change the clear meaning of the word.

An LLC name may contain the name of a member or manager. The statute also protects the name "farmers' market" unless the entity meets the statutory definition. A recognized political party's name needs written consent from its authorized representative. The name of an agency or instrumentality of the United States, New Hampshire or a subdivision of the state is also on the list.

Reserving a New Hampshire LLC name

RSA 304-C:191 sets the fee for an application to reserve an LLC name at $15, and RSA 304-C:27 holds the name for 120 days. The same applicant may reserve the same name again for successive 120-day periods. A corporate name reservation works differently, since it is a nonrenewable 120-day period.

What New Hampshire charges after the name is settled

RSA 304-C:191 puts the LLC certificate of formation at $100. RSA 293-A:1.22 puts articles of incorporation for a corporation at $100 as well.

The LLC annual report also costs $100. It is delivered between January 1 and April 1, starting in the year after formation. A report not filed on or before April 1 adds a $50 late filing fee. The LLC cost calculator adds these figures to the rest of a budget.

A trade name registered with the Secretary of State costs $50 under RSA 349:7 and continues for 5 years after filing. Trade names face the same distinguishable-name test as entity names. The fictitious business name guide covers them in general.

Checking and claiming a name in New Hampshire

1. Open the Business Record Search and look for registrations with the same or a close name.
2. Compare the name with the statute's list of differences that do not count, such as plurals, phonetic spelling and punctuation.
3. Check the name against the protected terms: "farmers' market", political party names and government agency names.
4. Reserve the name for $15 if you need 120 days, and renew it by applying again.
5. File the $100 certificate of formation with an ending from the endings each state accepts. Staff in the Corporation Division determine name availability when the registration arrives.
6. Put April 1 on the calendar for the $100 annual report.