Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Rhode Island General Laws Title 7. Corporations, Associations, and Partnerships § 7-1.2-403. Reserved name

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) The exclusive right to the use of a corporate name may be reserved by:

(1) Any individual intending to organize a corporation under this chapter.

(2) Any domestic corporation intending to change its name.

(3) Any foreign corporation intending to make application for a certificate of authority to transact business in this state.

(4) Any foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state and intending to change its name.

(5) Any individual intending to organize a foreign corporation and intending to have the corporation make application for a certificate of authority to transact business in this state.

(b) The reservation is made by filing with the secretary of state an application to reserve a specified corporate name, executed by the applicant.  If the secretary of state finds that the name is available for corporate use, the secretary of state shall reserve the name for the exclusive use of the applicant for a non-renewable period of one hundred and twenty (120) days.

(c) The right to the exclusive use of a specified corporate name so reserved may be transferred to any other person by filing in the office of the secretary of state a notice of the transfer, executed by the applicant for whom the name was reserved, and specifying the name and address of the transferee.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 7. Corporations, Associations, and Partnerships § 7-1.2-403. Reserved name - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-7-corporations-associations-and-partnerships/ri-gen-laws-sect-7-1-2-403/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard