How To Register Your Business Name In California

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How to register your business name in california. The dba you seek to register your business address your contact information and the first day of business. Generally all businesses that wish to conduct business in california need to register and form their legal entity with the california secretary of state s office file appropriate taxes register as an employer and obtain business licenses and other permits from appropriate cities or counties. Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california. To register a business name in california visit your county s website for instructions on submitting a fictitious business name statement. To register your dba in california search and reserve a name online with the secretary of state.

Protecting your business name. Generally all businesses that wish to conduct business in california need to register and form their legal entity with the california secretary of state s office file appropriate taxes register as an employer and obtain business licenses and other permits from appropriate cities or counties. The clerk may require several copies to be filed. After certifying all copies the clerk will keep the original and return the copies to you. This business structure must operate under the surname of the owner.

File a fictitious name statement with your county clerk s office if applicable. To use a different name the business owner must file a dba doing business as also known as a fictitious name in california. Check existing names and reserve a name not already in use by mail or in person with the secretary of state. Use the guidelines below for how to register a business in california. California sole proprietorship naming rules.

Go to the u s. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. If stopping anyone from using your business name is important you can protect it through a trademark learn. You ll have to provide the county with your dba of choice and the names and addresses of yourself and any partners you have. While registering your trade name will keep someone else from registering the exact same name in california it does very little from someone else operating a business under that name in other states.

Some counties let you submit online while others require hard copy. The california business investment services unit. If the name is available for use in california to protect the name for future use a foreign not california corporation that is 1 not registered with the california secretary of state and 2 not transacting intrastate business in california can register the corporate name with the secretary of state by filing a registration of corporate name by foreign corporation pdf. To register the name of a partnership llc or corporation.