How To Register A Business Name California

Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california.

How to register a business name california. When a business wants to operate under a name other than their legal name the state of california like most states require the business to register their business name. Fictitious business name a fictitious business name or doing business as dba. The registration requirement was designed to protect consumers from business owners hiding anonymously behind the name of a business. In california business name registration requirements depend on your business entity type. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register.

Fictitious business names are not filed with the secretary of state s office. Small business administration website to find a tutorial on how to create a business plan. To register your dba in california search and reserve a name online with the secretary of state. Use the business registration section of the california business navigator to find out what forms and steps you need to take to form your legal entity pay taxes register as an employer sell tangible goods and register at the city and county level in california. If you would like help deciding on a location for your business contact the california business investment services unit of the governor s office of economic development go biz.

Licensees intending to operate under a fictitious name should carefully review section 67 of title 16. Go to the u s. Partnerships llcs and corporations must register their businesses at the state level. The california business investment services unit. He must also file an extra fictitious business name statement at the county level.

There is no provision in california for registration in a central registry at the state level of fictitious business names. You must contact the city and or county clerk and or recorder where the principal place of business is located for information regarding. And if the business owner wants to operate under a name other than his or her own. In california if you re doing business under a name other than your own last name you have to register it with your county government. 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.

The name of the firm must meet the requirements set forth in section 5060 of the business and professions code and section 75 5 of title 16.