register a business name

HOW TO REGISTER A BUSINESS NAME IN ALL 50 STATES

Do you want to keep other businesses from using your preferred business name? If yes, registering it is in your best interests. Find out how you can do this:

If you plan to operate your business in any state, it is always best to register a business name. That way, nobody can claim the name before you have the chance to establish your brand in the state. But how can you do that? Find out below:

Steps to Registering a Business Name in All 50 States

Even if you do not plan to start your business immediately, registering a name protects your business interests. You can ensure that even if you decide to open a business operation years from now, nobody else will have access to your preferred name. And here’s how you cement this ownership:

1.    Ensure the Name is Available

You may have a great name in mind, only to find that someone else has already thought of it. The last thing you want is to realize the name is unavailable after you have already worked on branding. So, before you start marketing your business or even setting up an office, you must conduct a name search. Look into the following:

  • Is the name available in the state?
  • Has anyone reserved the domain name?
  • Has anyone trademarked the name?

If the name passes the tests above, you can move ahead with your plans. Not only will you have the chance to register the name, but you can also use it to create a website that further establishes your brand. Plus, you will not run into any legal issues which would arise if someone had trademarked the name.

2.    Register the Name

You must act fast if you want to ensure nobody else can get to the name. And you have four options to do so as follows:

  1. Reserving the Name: Each state charges a reservation fee that allows you to keep anyone from using the name for a given period. For example, you can pay $65 in Texas to ensure nobody can register the name. It gives you time to complete your registration paperwork and attend to other business formation needs. Please note that the name will be up for grabs once the prescribed time lapses. So, this is only a temporary measure.
  2. Registering a Legal Entity: The more permanent option is establishing an LLC or corporation. You will include the preferred name in the registration paperwork, ensuring nobody can use it. Once the LLC or corporation gets approval from the state, the name will become unavailable to other people.
  3. Getting a Trademark: If you are not ready to start your business, you can apply for a trademark. It allows you to hold onto the name while barring other people from using it.
  4. Filing for a DBA: A DBA (doing business as) name allows you to conduct business under the given name, which is not what you registered with the state. For example, you can name your business XYZ Cakes as a DBA under the registered name Cakes INT.

Not all these options are available in all states. For example, Florida does not allow name reservations. And you would thus need to register a legal entity, file a DBA, or get a trademark to protect your business interests.

If you want to operate your business in all 50 states, you must use any of the four methods in each state to reserve the name. Thus, you must consider the costs of doing so in reference to your business revenue. An easy way to cut back on the costs is to use a nationwide registered agent service that can help you centralize your mailing needs.