Contract Questions and Answers

What are the Guidelines for Determining the Corporate Name?

Please see specific state for details and/or differences.

ALABAMA
In Alabama, the corporate name shall include the word "Corporation," or "Incorporated," or shall contain an abbreviation of such words. Banking corporations shall use the words "bank," "banking," or "bankers." The name cannot be deceptively similar to that of another company. Some exceptions with particular written consent might apply.

ALASKA
The corporate name of a company in Alaska must contain within the name the words: “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or the abbreviation of any of those four words. Language must not be used in the corporate name that would indicate an identity which is deceptively similar to the name of another corporation.

ARIZONA
The corporate name of each corporation organized under the laws of Arizona must contain one of the following words: association, bank, corporation, company, incorporated, or limited. The corporate name, in lieu of the forgoing words, may have an abbreviation of any of those words. The corporation's name must not be deceptive in any respect such that the corporation would include the name "bank" and not be organized for banking purposes. In other words, if a corporation uses the word "bank," it must be in the banking business and must comply with the other laws which apply to banking in Arizona.

ARKANSAS
In Arkansas, the corporate name must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd.," or words or abbreviations of like import in another language. The corporation may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than those contained in §4-27-301 and its Articles of Incorporation. A corporation name must be distinguishable from other corporate names authorized to do business and transact business in the state of Arkansas or other corporate names registered under §4-27-402 or §4-27-403. It is possible to register the name of the foreign corporation. It is also possible to have the use of fictitious names (§4-27-404), in addition to the corporation name in Arkansas. The change of registered office or registered agent must be done in compliance with §4-27-503.

CALIFORNIA
The Secretary of State will not accept Articles where the corporation name is deceptively similar or misleading in reference to an already existing name or name of another entity. The use of the terms: “bank,” “trust,” trustee,” or related words are prohibited unless there has been an appropriate approval by the superintendent of banks.

COLORADO
The Articles of Incorporation must contain: a corporate name which must include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd." and must be otherwise in compliance with Title 7 of the Colorado revised statutes.

CONNECTICUT
Section 33-286 deals with the restrictions or purposes and powers of the corporation and should be reviewed to determine the full extent of corporate use of the state of Connecticut. Section 33-287 provides that the corporate name must include the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," "Limited," or "Societa de zoning Azinoi," "or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Co.," "Inc.," "Ltd." or "SpA."

DELAWARE
The Certificate of Incorporation must contain one of the following words: "Association," "Company," "Corporation," "Club," "Foundation," "Fund," "Incorporated," "Institute," "Society," "Union," "Syndicate," or "Limited," or it must contain one of the following abbreviations: "Co.," "Corp.," "Inc.," "Ltd.," or words or abbreviations of like import in other languages so long as they are written in Roman character or letters.

FLORIDA
The corporate name must contain the word "Corporation," "Company," or "Incorporated," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Co." or words or abbreviations of like import of another language that will clearly indicate that it is a corporation instead of a natural person or partnership. The Articles may not contain language sustaining or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by the Florida law or by its own Articles of Incorporation. The corporate name may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is connected with a state or federal government agency or chartered under the laws of the United States. The corporate name must be distinguishable from the names of all other entities or companies organized, registered, or reserved under the state of Florida and on file with the Division of Corporations.

GEORGIA
The name of the corporation in Georgia must contain the words "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co." or "Ltd." It may not contain anything obscene nor more than 80 characters including space and punctuation.

HAWAII
In conjunction with Section 415-58, the corporate name must include the words "Corporation," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Ltd." The corporation name may not be deceptively similar to any other name already existing.

IDAHO
The corporate name must contain the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Co.," "Inc.," or "Ltd. In the event the word "Company" or its abbreviation is used, it shall not be immediately preceded by the word "and" or an abbreviation or symbol for the word "and." There may not be any names used that are the same or deceptively similar to names of already existing corporations.

ILLINOIS
The name of each company must contain the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or abbreviations of any of the foregoing. Once corporate existence has commenced, the Board of Directors shall have an initial organizational meeting at which time the appropriate Bylaws regarding the regulation of the company may be approved. The Bylaws may contain provisions regarding the regulation and management of the affairs of the corporation not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Incorporation. A company in Illinois may be organized for any lawful purpose. The Articles of Incorporation may limit the actual purpose of the corporation if so desired.

INDIANA
The corporation name must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd."

Each corporation in the state of Indiana must continuously maintain a registered office and a registered agent who must be an individual residing in Indiana or a domestic corporation whose business is identical with the registered office or a foreign corporation whose business office is identical with the registered office.

IOWA
In order to incorporate in Iowa, it is necessary to file with the Secretary of State certain Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation must contain: a corporate name which must include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd." and must be otherwise in compliance with Section 490.401 of the Code of Iowa. A corporate name may not be deceptively similar to an entity already in existence and operating in the state of Iowa.

KANSAS
Contained within the Articles of Incorporation and as provided in Section 17.6002, the name (except for banks) should include the word "Association," "Church," "College," "Company," "Corporation," "Club," "Foundation," "Fund," "Incorporated," "Institute," "Society," "Union," "Syndicate," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Co.," "Corp.," "Inc." or "Ltd."

KENTUCKY
A corporate name in Kentucky must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd." The name may not imply activity other than Section 271B.3-010 or other than permitted under the Articles of Incorporation. The corporate name must be distinguishable from other names recorded by the Secretary of State.

LOUISIANA
A corporation in the state of Louisiana, except in the cases of railroad, telegraph and telephone corporations, shall contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Ltd." The new corporation may contain the word "company" and its abbreviation "Co.," if it is not immediately preceded by the word "and" or the symbol "&." The Articles must be in English language, signed by each incorporator or his agent and acknowledged by the one who signed.

MAINE
Under the Maine Business Corporation Act, the corporate name must not contain any word or phrase which indicates that the corporate purpose is different that the purposes allowed under the Act. The name may not be deceptively similar to any already existing domestic or foreign corporation, any reserved name, any trademark or other registered mark, unless authorized. The corporate name must also be different from any domestic or foreign limited partnership.

MARYLAND
The corporate name should include either one of the following or an abbreviation of the following: "Company" or its abbreviation, if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol "&," and, of course, the word "Corporation" or its abbreviation "Corp.," "Incorporated" or its abbreviation "Inc.," and "Limited" or its abbreviation "Ltd."

MASSACHUSETTS
The corporate name must contain the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Co.," "Inc.," or "Ltd." In the event the word "company" or its abbreviation is used, it shall not be immediately preceded by the word "and" and/or abbreviation or symbol for the word "and." There may not be any names used which are the same or deceptively similar to those of corporations already existing.

MICHIGAN
In order to incorporate in Michigan, it is necessary to file the Articles with the Administrator, along with the corporate name which must include the word: "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co." or "Ltd." and must be otherwise in compliance with Section 21.200(211) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act.

MINNESOTA
Contained within the corporate name must be language, letters or characters in the English language. Also, the corporate name must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Limited," or "Company," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Ltd." If "Co." is used, it may not be preceded by the word "and" or the symbol "&." A corporation may not imply a purpose different than that for which it is incorporated, and it may not use a name that is deceptively similar to a name that is already in existence.

MISSISSIPPI
In Mississippi, the corporate name must contain the word "Corporation," the abbreviation "Corp.," the word "Incorporated," the abbreviation "Inc.," the word "Company," the abbreviation "Co.," the word "Limited," or the abbreviation "Ltd."

MISSOURI
The name of a company in Missouri must include the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or an abbreviation of those identifying words. No word implying that the company is a government agency shall be permitted, and no word or name that is deceptively similar to another company or entity existing in the state of Missouri may be used.

MONTANA
The Articles of Incorporation must contain a corporate name which must include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd." and must be otherwise in compliance with Section 35-1-301 of the Code of Montana. The corporate name may not have any word or phrase that implies any purpose other than the one for which the company is organized. The corporate name may not be deceptively similar to another name already in existence.

NEBRASKA
The corporate name for a company in Nebraska shall contain the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or an abbreviation of those four words. The corporation, under Section 21-2007, may not imply a different purpose than that for which it is incorporated, and the name may not be deceptively similar to another corporation already in existence in the state.

NEVADA
The company name may not appear to be that of a natural person or a continuing given name or initials except, however, the additional word or words including "Incorporated," "Limited," "Company," or "Corporation." The abbreviations "Ltd.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Corp." may be used, or other words that identify the company as not being a natural person.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The corporate name in New Hampshire shall include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or shall contain an abbreviation of one of these words. The corporate name shall not contain any word or phrase which indicates or implies that it is organized for any purpose other than the one stated in the Articles of Incorporation. In addition, it shall not be the same or deceptively similar to any name of a domestic corporation existing under the laws of the state of New Hampshire or any foreign corporation authorized to transact business in New Hampshire.

NEW JERSEY
A corporation may be organized in New Jersey for any lawful purpose except any business which is otherwise regulated by another statute of the state, unless such statute permits organization under Title 14A. The corporate name shall not contain any word or phrases or abbreviations which indicate or imply that the corporation is organized for any purpose other than one that is permitted by its Certificate of Incorporation. The name may not be confusingly similar to another corporate name, and it may not contain a word or phrase or abbreviation which is prohibited or restricted by law unless in compliance with such restrictions.

NEW MEXICO
A corporation in New Mexico must include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," "Association," "Club," "Society," "Union," "Syndicate," or the abbreviation "Co.," or "Inc." The corporate existence shall begin after the filing date with the Corporate Commission.

NEW YORK
In New York, a corporation must include the name "Corporation," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or an abbreviation of one of those three words. The corporation shall not contain any of the following phrases or abbreviations of the following phrases:

board of trade chamber of commerce community renewal state police

state trooper tenant relocation urban development urban relocation

Additionally, the corporation name must not contain any of the following words or abbreviations or derivations thereof:

acceptance	annuity	assurance	bank
benefit	bond	casualty	doctor
endowment	fidelity	finance	guaranty
indemnity	insurance	investment	lawyer
loan	mortgage	savings	surety
title	trust	underwriter

NORTH CAROLINA
A corporate name in North Carolina must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company," or "Limited," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd." The corporate name may not imply any purpose other than that for which the corporation is organized, and the name must be distinguishable from any other corporations pursuant to Section 55-4-01 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act.

NORTH DAKOTA
The corporate name must be in the English language and must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," or "Limited," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Ltd." Or, the name may contain the word "Company" or abbreviation "Co.," so long as "Company" or "Co." is not preceded by the word "and" or the symbol "&." The corporate name may not be deceptively similar to another name that is used for another corporation as registered under the laws of the state of North Dakota.

OHIO
The name of the corporation must include the word "Company" or its abbreviation "Co.," the word "Corporation" or its abbreviation "Corp.," or the word "Incorporated" or its abbreviation "Inc." The company name may not imply that a government agency is involved, and it must not be indistinguishably similar in name to a company that is already in existence.

OKLAHOMA
A corporation name in the Certificate of Incorporation shall contain one or more of the following words: Association, Company, Corporation, Club, Foundation, Fund, Incorporated, Institute, Society, Union, Syndicate or Limited. The company may include the following abbreviations: "Co.," "Corp.," "Inc.," or "Ltd."

The name of the corporation may also contain words of like import. A corporation in Oklahoma must be distinguishable from names of other corporations, foreign corporations, names of partnerships, of limited partnerships, of trade names, fictitious names filed with the Secretary of State, and any corporate or limited partnership names reserved with the Secretary of State.

OREGON
Section 60.094 regulates the type of name which may be used for corporations in the state of Oregon. A corporate name must include one of the following: “Corporation," “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or an abbreviation of any of the foregoing. A corporate name shall not contain the word “cooperative.” The corporation name must also be written in the alphabet used to write the English language. It must not be deceptively similar to another corporate name, reserve name, business, trust name, partnership name, etc.

PENNSYLVANIA
A proper corporate name for a business corporation in the state of Pennsylvania shall include one of the following corporate designators: “Corporation” or “Corp.,” “Company” or “Co.,” “Incorporated” or “Inc.,” “Limited” or “Ltd.,” “Association,” “Fund,” or “Syndicate,” and words or abbreviations of like import in languages other than English. The word “Company” or “Co.” may be immediately preceded by “and” or “&,” whether or not they are immediately followed by one of the words “Incorporated,” “Inc.,” “Limited” or “Ltd.” For example: John Doe & Co. The corporate name shall also comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 17 (relating to names).

RHODE ISLAND
The corporate name in Rhode Island should include the word "Corporation," "Company," "Incorporated," or "Limited." The abbreviations: "Corp.," "Co.," "Inc." or "Ltd." may also be used.

SOUTH CAROLINA
The corporate name of a company in South Carolina must contain within the corporate name the words “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or the abbreviation “Corp.,” “Inc.,” “Co.,” or “Ltd.” A name of a company may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by Section 33-3-101. A company name may not be deceptively similar to the name of a corporation already doing business in the state. Also, the name may not be similar to a corporate name which is reserved for the name of a foreign corporation or the name of a not-for-profit corporation.

SOUTH DAKOTA
A corporate name under the state of South Dakota is governed by Section 47-2-36. Any corporate name, except a non-profit corporation, must include the word “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or an abbreviation of any of those four words. A company name may not be deceptively similar to another name already in use by a domestic corporation, a corporation that has registered a name, or by a foreign corporation. The corporate name must be translated into English or must be in English.

TENNESSEE
A corporate name must include the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Company, " or "Limited," or the abbreviations "Corp.," "Inc.," "Co.," or "Ltd." Certain language may not be contained in the corporate name. See particularly Section 48-14-101.

TEXAS
The corporation name must include the word: "Corporation," "Company," or "Incorporated," or one of the following abbreviations: "Corp.," "Co." or "Inc."

UTAH
In Utah, a corporation's name must include the word "Corporation," "Company," or "Incorporated," or the abbreviation "Corp.," "Co." or "Inc.," or words or abbreviations of like import in another language. Only the names of corporations may contain the word "Corporation" or "Incorporated" or the abbreviation "Corp." or "Inc." A corporate name may not contain any language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by Subsection(4) and by its Articles of Incorporation. The corporation name must be distinguishable from other corporations or other corporate names reserved, including fictitious names adopted by foreign corporations or any corporations not for profit.

VERMONT
A corporation in the state of Vermont must contain one of the following words: “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited.” If the name of the corporation does not include one of the foregoing words, it may include one of the following abbreviations: “Corp.,” “Inc.,” “Co.,” or “Ltd.” A corporation’s name may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by Section 301 of Title 11A and the Articles of Incorporation. The corporation may not have a similar name or a name that is deceptively similar to or confused with or mistaken for the name of companies or reserved names or fictitious names or nonprofit names or the names of foreign corporations which have registered in the state of Vermont. It is possible to reserve a name for a corporation under Section 4.02 in the state. It is recommended that a foreign corporation doing business in the state of Vermont register as such. A registered name for a foreign corporation is covered by Section 4.03.

VIRGINIA
A corporation may not have a name that is deceptively similar to a name of another company, and it must be otherwise in compliance with the laws of the commonwealth of Virginia, particularly Chapter 9 of Title 13.

WASHINGTON
A corporate name in the state of Washington must include one of the following words “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited.” In lieu of any of the foregoing names, the following abbreviations may be used: “Corp.,” “Inc.,” “Co.” or “Ltd.” The name of a company may not be deceptively similar to another corporation already organized under the laws of the state of Washington. It is possible to register a name, in the state of Washington, under Section 23B.04.030 or to reserve a name under Section 23B.04.020.

WEST VIRGINIA
The name of a corporation in West Virginia shall contain the word “Corporation,” “Company,” “Incorporated,” or “Limited,” or an abbreviation of such words. The name of the corporation shall not contain any word or phrase which indicates or implies that it is organized for any purpose other than one or more of the purposes contained in its Articles of Incorporation. The name may not be the same or deceptively similar to the name of any other corporation and shall be translated into letters of the English alphabet, if not in the English language.

WISCONSIN
The corporate name for a company in Wisconsin must include the word “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or “Limited.” The corporate name, as an alternative, may include the abbreviation: “Corp.,” “Inc.,” “Co.” or “Ltd.” The corporate name must not include language that indicates it is organized for any purpose other than that stated in its Bylaws and Articles and as permitted by law. The name may not be deceptively similar to another name being used by another corporation, partnership or other entity in Wisconsin (See Section 180.0401).

WYOMING
In Wyoming, a corporate name is intended to include any name so long as it does not imply a purpose other than that permitted by W.S. 17-16-301. The name may not be deceptively similar to that of any other corporation, trade name, trademark, partnership or limited partnership, etc.