How to Reserve a Business Name in New Mexico
March 15, 2026
By Nadia Cabrera-Mazzeo, Esq.
Short answer: You can reserve a business name in the NM Secretary of State’s online business portal.
Did you think of the best business name ever and want to make sure no one takes it before you can officially create your company? In New Mexico, you’re allowed to officially reserve your business name and prevent anyone else from registering a business under that name. But here’s the catch: the reservation is only good for 120 days.
What you’ll need to reserve the name
1. Entity Type. First, you’ll need to know what type of entity you plan to create (e.g. LLC, corporation, partnership).
2. Business Name. It’s ideal for you to do a comprehensive business name search to ensure your perfect name is actually available.
3. Application Fee. The fee will depend on the type of entity you will create and ranges from $10-25.
How to reserve your business name
You can reserve your business name in just a few easy steps:
1. Go to the NM Secretary of State’s online business portal.
2. Log in or create a free account.
3. Click on the “Forms” tab on the left-hand side of the home page.
4. Go to the dropdown menu at the top of the page where it says “Apostille” and click “Business.”
5. Click on “Application for Name Reservation” at the bottom of the Business page in the “Other Filings” section.
6. Complete the application, pay the fee, and submit.
That’s it! The name reservation should only take a few minutes.
What if I need more than 120 days?
You can reserve the business name again by submitting the form when the reservation period expires.
Can I reserve the name of my existing company registered in another state?
Yes. Simply select the type of “foreign” entity you already have. “Foreign” in this case means out of state.
If you want to take this and other business filings off your plate, Honest Contracts is available to support your legal needs.
Law office of Nadia Cabrera-Mazzeo, Esq.
Small business and contracts lawyer
Based in Taos, serving clients throughout New Mexico
505 427 2025
nadia@honestcontracts.com
The information on this website is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The rates and fees listed on this website may not be the most up to date.