To register a company name, first verify that your name is unique by performing a business entity name search, a domain name search, and a federal trademark search. After that, depending on your company`s needs, you can reserve a name, form an LLC or company with it, file a DBA, or file a change to your company`s legal name. No. There is a filing fee for reserving a company name, starting a business with one, getting a DBA and filing an amendment. Select your state from the drop-down menu at the top to see the country-specific things you need to do to register your business name. The result, if you don`t renew your company name, depends on how you registered the company name in the first place. If you have reserved your name and have not renewed the reservation, the name will be available to everyone in that state. A company may choose to operate under other names by applying for a permanent contract, also known as a trade name, fictitious name or assumed name. The filing of a CDI does not change the name of a company. Payment for a company name is made upon presentation of documents such as name reservations, incorporation documents, DTA filings, and legislative amendments to the Secretary of State or the appropriate department of the state where the business is incorporated or exists. An LLC or limited liability company is the easiest way to structure your business to protect your personal assets in case your business is sued. LLCs require unique names that must meet certain naming requirements, here are some common ones: Complete the HAZMAT registration process in addition to CCR registration if your company transports dangerous goods.
Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation`s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration website to follow this process (see Resources). Be prepared to provide the same information you provided when applying to the CCR. The cost of registering a business name differs depending on your needs and your state`s filing fee for reserving a business name, starting a business, filing a DBA, or filing a legal change to your company name. A corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners with a basic operating structure consisting of shareholders, officers, directors and employees. A C Corp corporate structure protects your personal assets. Businesses need a unique name and need to meet certain naming requirements, here are some common requirements: It`s also a good idea to see if someone else in your industry already has a name similar to the one you want to use. You can do this by searching for search terms related to your industry and brand. You can opt for a different business name to stand out.
The federal government is one of the largest customers of small businesses in the United States. The Small Business Administration reports that the federal government buys more than $425 billion worth of products and services from U.S. small businesses each year. In order for your business to be federally recognized, you must register your small business with the appropriate locations. However, there are advantages to filing a name reservation, such as if you find a unique name for your business but don`t want to start your LLC or business right away. Business structures can be formal or informal and are how your business is formed, operated and taxed. We cover all of the following naming needs for the following business structures: Open partnerships are similar to sole proprietorships. The difference is that a partnership consists of two or more people. A partnership is an informal business structure that does not provide protection for personal property. If you haven`t decided yet, choosing the best business structure for your new business is an important step, as different business structures have different pros and cons and different naming rules. The legal name of a corporation is the legal name of a business entity that appears on incorporation documents filed and filed with the state.
A corporate name can be changed by submitting an amendment to the corporation`s incorporation documents. This business structure must operate under the owner`s family name. To use a different name, the business owner must apply for a DBA (Doing Business As). A name reservation does not need to be filed in most states to open a new business or file for a DBA. Filing a DBA (Doing Business As) allows your existing or new business to do business under a name other than your company`s legal name. This can be useful for establishing a brand name or changing the name of a business without having to file an amendment to an original application. Finally, in your search, it`s a good idea to check what pops up when you search for your potential business name online on sites like Google, Bing, Yahoo, Yelp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. This way, you`ll show who else appears on these platforms, if they have a large online presence, and how difficult it can be to compete with them when you`re building your brand.
File your business before registering it for government contracts. Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website and write down your company`s NAICS code (see Resources). Register your business with the U.S. government`s main database, the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). When completing the application, make sure you have your company`s DUNS number, federal tax identification number, NAICS and SCI codes, and your company`s checking account information. Check out our country-specific guide to registering a business name to learn how to register a business name: If the company is voluntarily dissolved or withdraws from its good reputation, according to state laws, the name will also be available to others unless it is restored. What you need to do with your LLC name depends on whether you are already in business or if you are forming a new LLC. For step-by-step instructions on common LLC naming scenarios, see: Get the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes for your organization. Visit the U.S.
Department of State website to obtain these codes. Now that you know that your business name is unique and what you want to do, here`s how to do the following: For more information and a detailed explanation of the small business registration process, visit the SBA Government Contracting external symbol website. Once your business is registered as small due to size standards, you are eligible for financial assistance from the SBA and other programs, including federal government procurement programs that support small businesses. The first step in starting a business is choosing the right business idea, followed by planning and starting your business. Learn how to start a business by reading our comprehensive and in-depth guide covering these topics and more. Now that you know how to come up with a unique name, you need to know what to do with it. This differs depending on the business unit chosen. A DTA may be filed by one of the commercial vehicles referred to in this Article. However, LLC and corporate filing may sometimes differ from filing for sole proprietorships and partnerships in some states.
The procedures for reserving a business name vary from state to state. Charmayne Smith has been writing professionally since 2004, focusing on company documents such as training manuals, business plans, grant applications and technical manuals. Smith`s articles have appeared in the Houston Chronicle and on various websites, drawing on his extensive experience in business management and property and casualty insurance. If a company is incorporated as an LLC, it must have some form of “limited liability company” in its legal name. These include abbreviations such as “LLC”, “llc” or “l.l.c.” To legally name a business, you must start a business with the name you want, file a DBA, or file an amendment to change the legal name. Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website to get a DUNS number for your business (see Resources). It may take approximately 30 days for your newly issued DUNS number to arrive. Keep this number in a safe place as it serves as your company`s “social security number.” Use the U.S. Small Business Administration`s Small Business Size Standards table to identify your organization`s size standard (see Resources). For specific size information, use your NAICS code when you obtain your size standard. Whether or not you register a trademark, it`s good to know if your name is already taken. Get a federal tax identification number for your business if you haven`t already received one.
Visit the Internal Revenue Service website at irs.gov to complete the application. Have a pen handy to write down your number, as it will be issued immediately after the end of the application. A sole proprietorship is the simplest type of business. A sole proprietorship is an informal business structure that does not offer protection of personal property and does not need to be filed with the state. To qualify for a small business contract, you must first be registered as a small business. The following steps are required to certify your business as small and obtain the registration required to bid on government proposals: Registering a company name is part of the LLC filing process: Once your LLC is filed in the state, your name is registered.