How To Register A Business Name?

1. Forming a Business Entity

Creating a corporation or an LLC is an option. Registration documents must be filed with the appropriate state agency in order to do so. A legal business name must be selected before registration can be made.

Companies are not allowed to use names that are already used by another company. Therefore, choosing a name involves checking the state’s records to make sure that the desired name is not already in use by another company. Setting up a legal business entity is the most common way to register a business name, but it is more expensive than setting up a DBA.

2. File a DBA or “Doing Business As” name

If you are a sole proprietor or don’t have any partners, this is the easiest and most common way to register your business name. DBAs are a great way to operate under a business name without having to go through the complex legal process of creating a formal legal framework for your business.

Usually, this is done with a county agency, but it can also be done with a state agency in certain states. Some places call this a fictitious name, which is also referred to as a dba or “doing business as” name.

You can use the following instructions to register a business name if you want to set up a DBA:

• For specific requirements in your region, contact your state or county clerk’s office.
• In most cases, you will visit the county clerk’s office to file the required paperwork and pay the small filing fee.
• In order to open a business bank account in the name of your business, most banks require you to register your business name.
• If you are a sole proprietor or owner and you are using a DBA (also called a fictitious or trade name), you should be aware that there is no legal distinction between the business and its owner. All business debts are owed by the proprietor, and any income generated by the business is considered personal income.

3. Register a trademark

It is also possible to register the name of your company as a trademark. Your business name can be protected regionally by registering a trademark with the state. An additional layer of national protection can be gained by registering a trademark with the federal government. The process of registering a business name as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office is more complex and usually more expensive. But keep in mind:

• Before you file for a federal trademark, research the name you’d like to use. Filing through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office involves a fee, and if someone has already trademarked the same or a similar name, your application will be rejected.
• After your business name is registered, a trademark protects it from being used by anyone else.

4. Register a domain name online

Even though this step is not legally necessary, the majority of business owners want a unique website to establish an online presence. You’ll need to register a domain name to do this, which is the URL you’ll use to direct customers to your website. Having purchased a domain name, no one else can use it. Here’s what you need to do:

• If you want to secure a domain name, you should use a reputable registrar to search for and purchase the name (or names).
• Domain names do not need to exactly match your legal business name, trademark, or DBA. It is possible to abbreviate for efficiency, or it may be the case that you cannot use the exact phrase or term you want because it is already trademarked by someone else.
• If the second option is not available, you may decide to try to buy the name from the current owner or select another name that is similar, an abbreviation, or includes your location or other terms that make your domain name unique.