How to Register a new Business Name?

Introduction

A business name is the first impression your clients will have of you. It’s also a strong asset – if done correctly, your business name can help protect both you and your company from confusion with other businesses or brands. So choosing the right one is important!

This article will walk you through all the steps involved in registering a new business name.

What Kind of Business Name do you want?

You should also consider whether your business name includes an assumed name or trade name. An assumed name is a fictitious name you use for your business that isn’t your own or anyone else associated with the business.

A trade name refers to a company’s registered (or official) legal name, which may differ from its actual operating identities, such as in the case of some corporations and limited liability companies. For example, if John Smith owns Acme Widgets LLC, his company could be referred to as either “Acme Widgets LLC” or “Acme Widgets.” The former is known as the company’s DBA (“doing business as”) and appears on registration documents, the latter is known as its trade name and appears on products or advertisements.

Is the Name Available?

In order to ensure that the name you choose is available, you should first check it in state and federal databases. Next, check for the same name in a local database.

If all of these checks are negative, then you may proceed with registering your business name using the Uniform Commercial Code form of registration(http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ucc-registration-form). If there are issues with this form of registration and you wish to register your business under another type of legal entity such as an LLC or corporation, then you can do so by submitting one declaration stating that all parties agree on how they want their company managed and what responsibilities each party has within the company structure itself.

Reserve a Fictitious Name

Fictitious names are usually words or phrases that the public associates with your business, such as “The Healthy Choice,” “Pro Tech,” or even “Joe’s Grill” (if Joe runs the grill). The copyright office will not register a fictitious name unless it is used as part of a service mark or trademark—two different things. A service mark is used on products whereas trademarks are used on services.

In order to reserve a fictitious name, you must complete an application form and submit it along with the appropriate filing fee.

Register your Business Name with the State

If you do not have a business license, you will need to apply for one. This can be done through the website of your state’s office of the secretary of state or a similar agency.

In addition to registering your business name with the state, you should also register your company as a corporation or LLC with the federal government by filing articles of incorporation or articles of organization. You may also be required to file other forms depending on your situation.

Takeaway

All in all, it’s a good idea to register your business name before you start operating. This can save you time and money later on when seeking legal advice if something goes wrong with the company. It also helps protect against any potential fraud accusations from consumers or creditors.

By now, though, I hope that we’ve convinced you that registering your business is an important step worth taking.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to start your own business and want to keep it simple, registering a fictitious name or LLC (limited liability company) is the best way to go. If you want more protection than a fictitious name can offer, consider forming an LLC instead of registering as a sole proprietor. Either way, it’s important to do your research before choosing which type of entity is right for your business—and what paperwork needs doing in order for it all to work out just right.