Where Do I Register My Business Name in California

Date of registration – Date of filing with the entity type of the Secretary of State – e.B. status of a company, limited liability company or non-profit organization – “FTB suspended”, “SOS/FTB suspended” or “dissolved” means that the company is not active in the State. “Active” means that the business unit is in good standing and all reports and registration fees are up to date. Process Service Agent – Commonly referred to as a registered agent, this person is the sole point of contact for the company in case the state needs to contact the company or if legal action is taken against the company. This is often one of the owners, and their home address is often used, making their address public. Many people find this worrisome and use a registered agent service like Northwest Registered Agent, so their home address is not listed publicly. Entity Address – Address of Primary Address Information Return – The last section contains submissions for the Information Return, which is the annual by-law update. Names are not verified against trademark or service mark registrations or against fictitious company names. Trademark and service mark laws can be found in california business and professions code section 14200, ff. and the United States Code, Title 15, Section 1051, ff. Laws relating to fictitious business names (filed with the county in which the principal place of business is located) can be found in California Business and Professions Code Section 17900 et seq.

Once you have found the required tax documents, you will need to submit your tax and employer identification documents. At this point, you should have your legal business name and IRS Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Your FEIN is a nine-digit number that allows the IRS to identify your business. You can apply here. If you`re starting an LLC or business in California, the first thing you need to do is search for company names. This search checks all registered business units in the state to determine if the desired company name is available. Like all other states, the State of California requires that each LLC or company registered in the state have a unique business name. Therefore, before starting your business, it is important to perform a business unit search to verify that the name is available from the California Secretary of State before registering your LLC or company. The search is free. More information on the different types of business units can be found here.

LLC: California companies are required to file an initial disclosure statement within 90 days of submitting the organization`s articles. You must also file information returns with the California Secretary of State every two years before the end of your company`s anniversary month, in addition to general taxation. California also charges a minimum fee of $800 each year to the Franchise Tax Board (but businesses are exempt in their first fiscal year). Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to renew your operating licences on a regular basis. Are you a new business owner who wants to register your business in California? First of all, congratulations! Starting a business is one of the biggest decisions you`ll ever make. But now it is time for the technical part – to be recorded. Registering your business requires compliance with many specific rules and procedures. But don`t worry, it`s not as difficult as it sounds. The names of corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships can be accepted as follows: How to register the name of a partnership, LLC, or corporation: In California, the registration requirements for the company name depend on your type of business.

A sole proprietorship or partnership that operates its business under a name other than the legal name of the owner will register for a fictitious company name, also known as “Doing Business As”, DBA, assumed name or business name. DBA: The fictitious name of your company must be valid for 5 years (unless you change the company name or other information listed in the NBF), in which case you must renew it with the county. Here`s a guide to creating a business plan for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Many businesses need a license or permit to do business. If you`re not sure what you`re legally obligated to do, you can use the following resources to determine what your business needs. CalGOLD and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs are excellent resources that provide businesses with information on permit, licensing and registration requirements. A name can be reserved for a period of 60 days. Fees and instructions for reserving a name are included in the Name Reservation Request Form (PDF). Email or online requests for name reservations cannot be accepted at this time. Please note that tax office staff can help you create a prepaid account, but will not be able to determine the availability of names or reserve a name. A DBA name is the only way for sole proprietorships and partnerships to have a different company name.

It`s also the easiest method for LLCs and businesses, as it allows them to avoid filing a change or complicating their business operations, while allowing them to work with brand names that don`t include the required LLC or Inc. suffix in a legal name. Once you have confirmed and secured the availability of your company name, you can register a trademark for your business. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus attorney fees as well as renewal fees every 10 years. Registration of a california company name occurs when you form your business entity (LLC or Corporation) with the state. You must first select your company structure and then perform a company name search to ensure that the names are available. After that, you need to form your entity with the name of your company with the state. Some companies may also prefer to register only one DBA. Follow our step-by-step guide and read our FAQ to get started. Before you start your business and form an LLC, you should first research business units to make sure the name can be used.

Once you know that the name LLC is available, you will learn how to form a California LLC. “Limited liability company” – a separate entity that provides liability protection to its owners and may also be easier to manage and taxed less than a corporation. Because of these functions, the LLC has taken the first place in popularity in the DBA and Corporation business structures. “Corporation” or “Corporation” – a separate entity that provides liability protection to its owners. This corporate structure includes shareholders, directors and officers. Businesses are more complex than database administrators, but it`s the ideal business structure for profitable businesses. Some professions are required to set up a “Professional Corporation” or PC (doctors, lawyers, architects, etc.). Prepare the business as if someone had to take it over and run it for you. This means that you have a method to process orders, pay bills, pay employees, pay taxes, maintain your approvals, etc. .

Uncategorized