How To Register Business Name California

Other key steps for how to register a business in california include.

How to register business name california. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. 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. 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. 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. 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 your dba in california search and reserve a name online with the secretary of state. Some counties let you submit online while others require hard copy. 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. Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california. Fictitious business names are not filed with the secretary of state s office.

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. To register a business name in california visit your county s website for instructions on submitting a fictitious business name statement. Registering with the irs i e get an ein number getting relevant licenses and or permits. The california business investment services unit. If the principal place of business is out of state for foreign entities such as corporations and llcs they will register in sacramento county.

Small business administration website to find a tutorial on how to create a business plan. Use the calgold tool to determine which if any licenses your business needs. Business name registration is one step of many in the business registration process.