How To Register A Business Name California

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.

How to register a business name california. And if the business owner wants to operate under a name other than his or her own. 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. You must contact the city and or county clerk and or recorder where the principal place of business is located for information regarding. Fictitious business name a fictitious business name or doing business as dba. To register your dba in california search and reserve a name online with the secretary of state.

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 names are not filed with the secretary of state s office. Before you register a business name in california check that the county doesn t already have a similar name in its files. Go to the u s. Partnerships llcs and corporations must register their businesses at the state level.

Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. A fictitious name will not be issued to an accountancy corporation or accountancy partnership. 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. Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california. There is no provision in california for registration in a central registry at the state level of fictitious business names.

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 california business investment services unit. He must also file an extra fictitious business name statement at the county level. 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. 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.