How To Register Business Name California

There is no provision in california for registration in a central registry at the state level of fictitious business names.

How to register business name 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. If the principal place of business is out of state for foreign entities such as corporations and llcs they will register in sacramento county. To register a business name in california visit your county s website for instructions on submitting a fictitious business name statement. Go to the u s. The california business investment services unit.

You must contact the city and or county clerk and or recorder where the principal place of business is located for information regarding filing or registering fictitious business names. 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. Some counties let you submit online while others require hard copy. Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california. 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. 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. To register a business name first check to make sure your name is unique by doing a business entity name search domain name search and a federal trademark search. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. Regardless of the business entity every business registering a fictitious business name statement will file with the county clerk in the county where the principal office is located.

Business name registration is one step of many in the business registration process. Afterward depending on your business s needs you may reserve a name form an llc or corporation with it file a dba or submit an amendment to the legal name of your business. Use the calgold tool to determine which if any licenses your business needs.