How To Register Business Name In California

However if you decide to register a dba or trade name you can search california s business name database to see if your desired name is available.

How to register business name in california. To register a name for a corporation or llc in california it must. Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california. 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. Choose a business structure. 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.

There is no provision in california for registration in a central registry at the state level of fictitious business names. How to do a california business name search. 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. Other key steps for how to register a business in california include.

Visit the california secretary of state s website. If the principal place of business is out of state for foreign entities such as corporations and llcs they will register in sacramento county. The california business investment services unit provides tailored site selection services for businesses real estate executives and site selection consultants. Registering with the irs i e get an ein number getting relevant licenses and or permits. 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.

We recommend that you check to see if your business name is available as a web domain url. Use the calgold tool to determine which if any licenses your business needs. Select the type of entity you are searching for corporation or lp llc enter the name you would like to search and click search. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. A brief overview of the following types of legal business structures available in california can be found on our entity types website.