Business Name Reservation

General Information

There are two basic requirements for naming a business entity in Kentucky. First, the business name must be available. This means that no other registered business may have the same name and the name must be “distinguishable from any name of record with the Secretary of State.” KRS 14A.3-010(1). Second, the business name must conform to the appropriate naming guidelines, which usually requires that the type of entity be identifiable within the business name itself. There are separate naming guidelines for each entity type. KRS 14A.3-010.

If a business name is available and meets the naming guidelines, it may be reserved.

Purpose/Necessity

People who commonly seek a business name reservation include:

  1. Entrepreneur who is certain of the desired business name but is not yet ready to complete the business formation process.
  2. Entrepreneur hoping to use his or her name as part of the business name when others have the same or a similar name.
  3. Entrepreneur wanting to start a business which name will be something that is becoming or is likely to be popular in the future.

A business name does not need to be reserved prior to business formation. However, some entrepreneurs find it advantageous to reserve a name so that another person does not register, reserve, qualify, or form a business with the same/an indistinguishable business name.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Legal Services Offered and Cost

Reserve Business Name
Legal fees: $150 flat fee
This includes:

  1. Search that the desired name is available for reservation
  2. Review of client’s information to ensure legal requirements are fulfilled
  3. Completion of Reservation of Reserved Name form
  4. Submission of form and filing fee with the Kentucky Secretary of State
  5. All postage and mailing charges
  6. Email confirmation of name reservation with PDF

If you are ready to get started, please CLICK HERE to enter basic information using our secure online form.

Renew Reserved Business Name
Legal fees: $150 flat fee

This includes:

  1. Review of client’s information to ensure legal requirements are fulfilled
  2. Completion of Renewal of Reserved Name form
  3. Submission of form and filing fee with the Kentucky Secretary of State
  4. All postage and mailing charges
  5. Email confirmation of name renewal with PDF

If you are ready to get started, please CLICK HERE to enter basic information using our secure online form.