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RSA 293-A:4.01 · Corporate Name
293-A:4.01 Corporate Name. –
Copy linkmust contain the word "corporation," "incorporated," or "limited," or the abbreviation "corp.," "inc.," or "ltd.," or words or abbreviations of like import in another language; and
Copy linkmay not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by RSA 293-A:3.01 and its articles of incorporation.
Copy linkExcept as authorized by subsections (c) and (d), a corporate name, based upon the records of the secretary of state, shall be distinguishable from, and not the same as:
Copy linkthe name of an entity incorporated, authorized, formed, or registered to transact business in this state under RSA 292, RSA 293-A, RSA 293-B, RSA 294-A, RSA 301, RSA 301-A, RSA 304-A, RSA 304-B, RSA 304-C, RSA 305-A, RSA 349, or RSA 564-F;
Copy linka name reserved or registered under RSA 293-A, RSA 293-B, RSA 304-A, RSA 304-B, RSA 304-C, or RSA 564-F;
Copy linkthe fictitious name adopted by a foreign entity authorized to transact business in this state because its real name is unavailable;
Copy linkThe name of an agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state or a subdivision thereof, including names reserved pursuant to RSA 53-E;
Copy linkThe name of any political party recognized under RSA 652:11, unless written consent is obtained from the authorized representative of the political organization; and
Copy linkThe name "farmers' market" unless the entity meets the definition of "farmers' market" established in RSA 21:34-a, V. (b-1) Except as authorized by subsections (c) and (d), a corporate name, based upon the records of the secretary of state, is not distinguishable upon the record if the only distinguishing factor to the corporate name is:
Copy linkA suffix or prefix added to a word or any other deviation from or derivative of the same word, excluding antonyms and opposites.
Copy linkThe addition of a numeric designation, unless consent is granted by the current name holder.
Copy linkDifferences in punctuation or special characters, unless it changes the clear meaning of the word.
Copy linkDifferences in whether letters or numbers immediately follow each other or are separated by one or more spaces.
Copy linkAn Arabic numeral representing a number, a Roman numeral representing the same number, or a word representing the same number appearing in the same position within otherwise identical names.
Copy linkA corporation may apply to the secretary of state for authorization to use a name that is not distinguishable from, or is the same as, one or more of the names described in subsection (b) of this section, as determined from a review of the records of the secretary of state.
Copy linkthe holder or holders of the name as described in subsection (b) gives written consent to use the name that is not distinguishable from the name of the applying corporation; or if the name is the same, one or more words are added to the name to make the new name distinguishable from the other name;
Copy linkthe other entity consents to the use in writing and submits an undertaking in form satisfactory to the secretary of state to change its name to a name that is distinguishable upon the records of the secretary of state from the name of the applying corporation; or
Copy linkthe applicant delivers to the secretary of state a certified copy of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction establishing the applicant's right to use the name applied for in this state.
Copy linkA corporation may use the name (including the fictitious name) of another domestic or foreign entity that is used in this state if the other entity is incorporated, authorized, formed, or registered to transact business in this state and the proposed user corporation:
Copy linkhas acquired all or substantially all of the assets, including the name, of the other entity.
Copy linkNothing in this section would prohibit the owner or owners of a trade name registered under RSA 349 to form a domestic corporation under the same name as the trade name.
Copy linkThe secretary of state and those acting on his or her behalf shall incur no liability, either personally or on behalf of the state of New Hampshire, as a result of negligent acts or omissions in the reservation or registration of any name under this chapter or any other name registration or reservation statute, including but not limited to RSA 349, or the handling and recording of documents pertaining to such reservation or registration. Source. 2013, 142:1. 2015, 188:3, 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2017, 257:52, eff. Oct. 1, 2017. 2018, 221:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2019. 2019, 316:6, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.
Copy linkSource note
Source. 2013, 142:1. 2015, 188:3, 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2017, 257:52, eff. Oct. 1, 2017. 2018, 221:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2019. 2019, 316:6, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.
Source history
- 2013, 142:1
- 2015, 188:3, 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2016
- 2017, 257:52, eff. Oct. 1, 2017
- 2018, 221:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2019
- 2019, 316:6, eff. Oct. 1, 2019
Related materials
Bill relationships
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2026 HB1629
amend · effective 2027-07-01
nce with RSA 77-A:18 [and RSA 77-E:12]. 19 Corporations, Associations, and Proprietors of Common Lands; Dissolution; Reinstatement Following Administrative Dissolution. Amend RSA 293-A.14.22, (a)(4) to read as follows: (4) contain a certificate from the department of revenue administration in accordance with RSA 77-A:18, III[, and RSA 77-E:12, III,] if such application is received by the secretary
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2026 HB1629-FN
amend · effective 2027-07-01
nce with RSA 77-A:18 [and RSA 77-E:12]. 19 Corporations, Associations, and Proprietors of Common Lands; Dissolution; Reinstatement Following Administrative Dissolution. Amend RSA 293-A.14.22, (a)(4) to read as follows: (4) contain a certificate from the department of revenue administration in accordance with RSA 77-A:18, III[, and RSA 77-E:12, III,] if such application is received by the secretary
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2026 HB186
reference
A 126-X:8, XX, convert to either a domestic corporation organized under RSA 293-A or a limited liability company organized under to RSA 304-C, and may merge with a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A or a limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C. 32 New Subparagraph; New Hampshire Business Corporation Act; Domestication and Conversion; Entity Conversion Authorized. ?Amend RSA 293-A:9.50 by inser
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2026 HB186-FN-A
amend
es; Definitions; Alternative Treatment Center. ? Amend RSA 126-X:1, I to read as follows: I. "Alternative treatment center" means a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A, a domestic limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C, or a not-for-profit [entity] voluntary corporation organized under RSA 292 that is registered under RSA 126-X:7 and that acquires, possesses, cultivates,
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2026 HB54
reference
A 126-X:8, XX, convert to either a domestic corporation organized under RSA 293-A or a limited liability company organized under to RSA 304-C, and may merge with a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A or a limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C. 6 New SubParagraph; New Hampshire Business Corporation Act; Domestication and Conversion; Entity Conversion Authorized. ?Amend RSA 293-A:9.50 by insert
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2026 HB54-FN
amend
ses; Definitions; Alternative Treatment Center. ? Amend RSA 126-X:1, I to read as follows: I. "Alternative treatment center" means a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A, a domestic limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C, or a not-for-profit [entity] voluntary corporation organized under RSA 292 that is registered under RSA 126-X:7 and that acquires, possesses, cultivates,
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2026 SB479
amend
ses; Definitions; Alternative Treatment Center. ? Amend RSA 126-X:1, I to read as follows: I. "Alternative treatment center" means a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A, a domestic limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C, or a not-for-profit [entity] voluntary corporation organized under RSA 292 that is registered under RSA 126-X:7 and that acquires, possesses, cultivates,
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2026 SB479-FN
amend
ses; Definitions; Alternative Treatment Center. ? Amend RSA 126-X:1, I to read as follows: I. "Alternative treatment center" means a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A, a domestic limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C, or a not-for-profit [entity] voluntary corporation organized under RSA 292 that is registered under RSA 126-X:7 and that acquires, possesses, cultivates,
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2026 SB651
amend
; Definition of Alternative Treatment Center. Amend RSA 126-X:1, I to read as follows: I. "Alternative treatment center" means a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A, a domestic limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C, or a not-for-profit [entity] voluntary corporation organized under RSA 292 that is registered under RSA 126-X:7 that acquires, possesses, cultivates, manu
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2026 SB651-FN-A
amend
; Definition of Alternative Treatment Center. Amend RSA 126-X:1, I to read as follows: I. "Alternative treatment center" means a domestic business corporation organized under RSA 293-A, a domestic limited liability company organized under RSA 304-C, or a not-for-profit [entity] voluntary corporation organized under RSA 292 that is registered under RSA 126-X:7 that acquires, possesses, cultivates, manu