How To Register A Business Name In California

Choose a business structure.

How to register a business name in california. Make sure the name and spelling you want are available before you actually register. There is no provision in california for registration in a central registry at the state level of fictitious business names. You ll have to provide the county with your dba of choice and the names and addresses of yourself and any partners you have. 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. Check existing names and reserve a name not already in use by mail or in person with the secretary of state.

Looking for information on how to register a business name in california. To use a different name the business owner must file a dba doing business as also known as a fictitious name in california. File a fictitious name statement with your county clerk s office if applicable. The california business investment services unit provides tailored site selection services for businesses real estate executives and site selection consultants. If the principal place of business is out of state for foreign entities such as corporations and llcs they will register in sacramento county.

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. This video will help entrepreneurs find information on legally registering their bu. For easy step by step instructions for filing a dba in california visit our free state dba guide. This business structure must operate under the surname of the owner. Use the guidelines below for how to register a business in california.

Fictitious business names are not filed with the secretary of state s office. To register the name of a partnership llc or corporation. 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. Also keep in mind that the name you choose cannot be too close to another company already doing business in california. Some counties let you submit online while others require hard copy.

A brief overview of the following types of legal business structures available in california can be found on our entity types website. 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.