Corporations Reserve or Register a Name (Exclusive Rights) In Alaska, you can protect a business name by reserving or registering it with the Corporations Section (AS 10). Doing so gives you exclusive rights to use that name in the Corporations Database, which prevents anyone else from reserving or registering the exact same name with the Corporations Section. It’s important to understand that reserving or registering a name under AS 10 is not the same as obtaining an Alaska Business License under AS 43.70. These are two separate processes, handled under different laws. Under AS 43.70, an Alaska Business License issues what’s called a “Business Name” or “DBA” through www.BusinessLicense.Alaska.Gov. Under AS 10, a name reservation or registration is what actually gives you exclusive rights to a name through www.Corporations.Alaska.Gov. A Business License (AS 43.70) does not protect a business name like a filing does under the Corporations Section (AS 10). Business Licensing laws do not restrict the department from issuing multiple business licenses under the exact same business name. The department must issue a business license under AS 43.70 even if exclusive rights to that name have already been secured under AS 10 in the Corporations Database. Refer to “Exclusive Rights & Enforcement” below. This guide explains the different types of reservations or registrations available, how to check that a name is available to use, and how to maintain and enforce your exclusive rights once you have them. Reserve or Registering Names If a name is not currently registered in the Corporations Database, a person or entity has up to four (4) options to secure exclusive rights. Only one (1) of these options may be active for the same name at the same time. For example, if an entity already holds exclusive rights to its legal name through its existing registration, it does not need to secure those rights again by filing another type of registration. Name Reservation (120 days) - File a Business Name Reservation. This optional filing temporarily protects a business name for 120 days. It prevents others from reserving or registering the name while you prepare your filings. This filing is not required, and if you are ready to submit a registration, it is generally not recommended to file a reservation first. A reservation will block the name for the full 120 days, unless the owner or authorized representative requests cancellation by e-mailing: www.Corporations.Alaska.Gov. Register a Business Name (5 years) - File a Business Name Registration. This filing protects a business name for 5 years. Before you can register a business name with the Corporations Section, you must already have (or first obtain) an Alaska Business License in the same name (DBA), and the name cannot already be registered. A Business Name Registration can be renewed every 5th calendar year to keep it active. To maintain exclusive rights to the name, both an Alaska Business License and the Business Name Registration must remain active. Foreign Corporate Name Registration (1 year) - File a Foreign Corporate Name Registration. This filing protects a Foreign entity’s legal name for 1 year and requires submission of a Certificate of Good Standing for verification. This filing provides name protection only; it does not authorize the Foreign entity to conduct business in Alaska. If the entity intends to do business in Alaska, it must register as a Foreign entity. Register an Entity - File to create a Domestic or Foreign corporation, LLC, or other legal entity. Once formed, the entity’s name is protected for as long as the entity remains active in the Corporations Database. An existing entity may also amend its legal name; once the amendment is approved, the entity gains exclusive rights to the new name. You may secure exclusive rights to a name by filing a Business Name Reservation (120 days), a Business Name Registration (5 years), a Foreign Corporate Name Registration (1 year), or by filing for a new entity using the forms available at Forms by Entity Type. Name Availability & Restricions Names must be “distinguishable” from any other reserved or registered name on file with the Corporations Section, as well as avoid any naming restrictions in Alaska statutes. To avoid delays or rejections, we recommend completing a thorough name search before submitting an application: Search Corporations Database to check whether your desired name is already in use (reserved or registered). Review the Determine a "Distinguishable" Name guidance to understand what the state considers “distinguishable” under Corporations Statutes & Regulations. This resource also explains how “distinguishable” differs from terms like “confusingly similar” or “deceptively similar.” Avoid name restrictions in Corporations Statutes & Regulations: A name will be rejected if it is already registered or if it’s considered “non-distinguishable” from an existing name. A name may not contain the word “city,” “borough,” “village,” or otherwise imply that it is a municipality. However, the name of an actual city, borough, or village may be used. A registered entity may only use the corporate indicators allowed for its specific entity type. For example, a Business Corporation’s legal name must include “Incorporated,” “Company,” “Limited,” “Corporation,” or an abbreviation of one of these words. It cannot use indicators such as “LLC,” or any indicators that do not match its legal name. A non-registered entity or an unincorporated business cannot use corporate indicators that imply it is a corporation, LLC, or another registered entity type (such as “Incorporated,” “Limited,” “Corporation,” “LLC,” “LLP,” or similar terms). A business name may not contain the word “Bank” unless approved by the Division of Banking & Securities. Non-banking entities that use terms like “food bank” or “blood bank” may apply to the Corporations Section for approval by submitting a hard copy application. Consider the status of dissolved or withdrawn entities: For most entity types (such as Business Corporations and LLCs), the name of an “Involuntarily Dissolved” entity becomes available after 6 months from the date of dissolution. If the entity reinstates within those 6 months, it maintains exclusive rights to its name. If you choose to register a new entity using that name before the 6-month window has passed, you may do so at your own risk — however, you may be required to change your entity’s name if the Involuntarily Dissolved entity reinstates on time. A name becomes available immediately when an entity is “Voluntarily Dissolved,” “Revoked,” “Withdrawn,” “Cancelled,” or when an entity has recently amended its name (releasing the former name). Important Note: If an application is available to file online, the system will automatically check name availability and alert you if there is a conflict. Exclusive Rights & Enforcement When you reserve or register a name under Alaska law, you receive exclusive rights to use that name. This means that, while your reservation or registration is active, no one else can reserve or register the same name or a name that is considered "non-distinguishable" in the Corporations Database. If someone else starts using a name that is not distinguishable from your reserved or registered name, you may seek a court order to prohibit the other party from using the conflicting name, along with, if appropriate, any damages. For reference, see: AS 10.06.130(b), AS 10.35.040(b) and AS 10.50.043. Ultimately, only a court can enforce these rights. The Corporations Section and the Business Licensing Section do not have the authority to prevent someone from using a conflicting name. If enforcement is needed, it must be pursued through the court system. For more information about how to exercise your exclusive rights to protect a business name reservation or registration, visit the Alaska Court System website. This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and should not be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to know your registering, reporting, and filing requirements based on your specific business activities. Not knowing what is required does not remove your legal obligation to meet these requirements and compliance with the law. If you need additional assistance, you are encouraged to seek guidance from a qualified professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or an Attorney. Contact Us Please direct your questions to the appropriate section: Corporations, Professional Licensing, or Business Licensing. Each section specializes in its own requirements, per Alaska Statutes and Regulations. Corporations Section Email: Corporations@Alaska.Gov Professional Licensing Section Email: License@Alaska.Gov Business Licensing Section Email: BusinessLicense@Alaska.Gov