How do I determine whether a corporate, limited partnership, or limited liability company name is available?

 The Department of State will make a determination of name availability in response to written requests addressed to the Albany office of the Department of State that are accompanied by a fee of $5 for each name searched for availability. Requests for name availability cannot be handled by phone. If you wish to reserve a name, you may do so by submitting the appropriate form and fee to the Department.

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Division of Corporations Filing Information, Fees, and Publications
general information on forms, types of businesses that operate in New York State, business/not-for-profit corporations, limited liability companies/partnerships, limited partnerships
URL: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/corp/bcfaq.htm#corpinfo