How To Register Your Business Name In California

You ll have to provide the county with your dba of choice and the names and addresses of yourself and any partners you have.

How to register your business name in california. California sole proprietorship naming rules. To register your dba in california search and reserve a name online with the secretary of state. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. 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. Use the guidelines below for how to register a business in california.

After certifying all copies the clerk will keep the original and return the copies to you. 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. 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. For easy step by step instructions for filing a dba in california visit our free state dba guide. To register a business name in california visit your county s website for instructions on submitting a fictitious business name statement.

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. Check existing names and reserve a name not already in use by mail or in person with the secretary of state. To register the name of a partnership llc or corporation. 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. File a fictitious name statement with your county clerk s office if applicable.

The clerk may require several copies to be filed. The dba you seek to register your business address your contact information and the first day of business. Some counties let you submit online while others require hard copy. This business structure must operate under the surname of the owner. Protecting your business name.

Go to the u s. Be sure to bring the following information which is required for registration. The california business investment services unit. Small business administration website to find a tutorial on how to create a business plan.