Choosing a Corporation Name
The name you decide on for your new corporation cannot be the same as or deceptively similar to the name of any other Washington business entity registered or reserved with the state. The name may not include language that states or implies that the corporation is organized for some purpose other than one permitted by state law or than stated in its articles of incorporation. The name must also include the words “incorporated,” “corporation,” “limited,” or “company,” or an abbreviation of one of those terms.
If your corporate name is not considered sufficiently distinguishable from one already on file with the state, it’s not enough to just change some punctuation, a definite or indefinite article (such as “a,” “an,” or “the”), or the status designator (“corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” “limited,” etc.). You have to make a significant change.
Corporate names can be reserved with the state for a $30 fee for up to 180 days at a time.