Learning how to register a business name in the US can be a daunting and overwhelming process especially given the amount of paperwork needed.
The good news?
We’re here to help you.
In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through a simple step-by-step process on how to register your business.
Let’s get started.
1. Check the Availability of Your Business Name
First thing when planning how to register your business name in the US, you need to check its availability.
Think about it.
As of January 31, 2023, there were 420,987 business applications. By neglecting to check name availability, you risk registering a business name that’s already taken and your application will be rejected.
Here is how to check the availability of your business name:
- Conduct a business name search through the State Secretary’s office website.
- Search the name on Google.
- Conduct a domain name search as well as a trademark search.
You can also check your business name availability using Incfile. Check this comprehensive Incfile review by GovDocFiling for more details about this business formation service.
2. Register a DBA
Filing a ‘Doing Business As’ assumed, or fictitious name is helpful for a Sole Proprietorship business owner who wants to run a business under a name that’s not the legal business name.
You can also file a ‘Doing Business As’ name if you plan to rebrand your registered Corporation or LLC and branch out to a new market in the future.
In that case, you’ll need to file a DBA application in the state your business is located.
3. Apply for a Business Name Trademark
Applying for a business name trademark will help to prevent other people from doing business using a similar name.
Better yet, a federal trademark protects your brand against competitive usage.
You will need to file for a trademark at the state or federal level through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
4. Secure Your Domain Name
Once your business is legally set up, the last step is to secure your domain name online so that you can create a website for your website.
This will help you to operate your business globally.
Conclusion:
Learning how to register a business name is a pretty straightforward process when you know all the requirements and the steps to follow.
Even though the steps vary from state to state, the entire process is pretty simple when you follow our simple guide.
Learn more about registering a business name from this infographic by GovDocFiling.
Author Bio:
Brett Shapiro is a co-owner of GovDocFiling. He had an entrepreneurial spirit since he was young. He started GovDocFiling, a simple resource center that takes care of the mundane, yet critical, formation documentation for any new business entity.
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