How To Register A Business Entity

You may want to consult with an attorney before choosing a legal structure particularly if more than one person will own the business.

How to register a business entity. A registered agent receives official papers and legal documents on behalf of your company. Be warned that this route can directly affect your. Corporation partnership or llc. How to register a business name the first step of registering a name is to find out whether you need to register and at what levels of government. You register your business as the type of legal entity you want.

All businesses need to register both a legal structure business entity form and a name dba. But if you re starting a sole proprietorship or a partnership operating under a name that isn t your own e g your name is john smith but you want your business name to be something else you may need to file a dba a. The process is different for each state. If your business is an llc corporation partnership or nonprofit corporation you ll need a registered agent in your state before you file. Business owners register their businesses in at least two and possibly three ways.

You don t register an s corporation with your state. Selecting the right type of company or corporation for your new business helps maximize your chances of financial and operational success. You select this option after your corporation is in place to file your business type with your state you will need to go to your state s secretary of state website and look for the business division. Keep in mind you may not need to form and register your business and separately in all cases. The registered agent must be located in the state where you register.

You will register your trade name at the county clerk s office in every county where you plan on conducting business. There are also sub categories of partnerships and llcs. Registering a business name is usually part of the process of registering separate entities like llcs and corporations. There are three options to register a name either by registering a company first using your name and file for registration of the name later or reserve the name and then initiate the company incorporation process later. You can find information on the website of the secretary of state or the county or city clerk in your area.

A business owner should conduct due diligence to determine if any other business is conducting business using their proposed alternate name and that the alternate name is not violating another s trademark.