When do i need a fictitious business name

The registration process is covered in more detail below. Do not neglect or put off registering your fictitious business name. Without proof of registration, many banks will not open an account under your business name. Generally speaking, a sole proprietor who includes his or her last name in the business name — such as O'Toole's Classic Cars — does not need to file an FBN statement.

But it is not enough to include only initials and a nickname or part of a name. For example, a business called J. In addition, in many states, if your business name falsely implies that more than one owner is involved, you must file a fictitious business name statement. Check with your county clerk for your state's rules. In some states, FBN registration is accomplished through the Secretary of State or other state agency; however, in most states, you'll register your FBN at the county level. Your first step should be to contact your county clerk's office either online or by phone to find out its requirements and fees.

An increasing number of counties are providing information online and some have online applications. However most counties still require a paper form to be filled out and mailed in. Find out from your county clerk what its process is. In many areas, you'll be instructed to search the county or state database of registered fictitious business names before submitting your statement to make sure no one else has already registered the name you want to use.

Typically, you can search a county's database often an easy-to-search computerized system for free if you go to the office in person. Sometimes you can pay a fee for a staff person to do the search for you. If you want the clerk's office to do the search, you must usually submit the request and fee by mail. Remember, searching your county database won't tell you if a name is trademarked.

Someone in a different county, state, or even country might own trademark rights to that name. If so, and you go ahead and use that name for your business, you may well run into legal trouble, depending on your geographical scope and the products or services you sell. Fictitious Name Registration A sole proprietor who wishes to practice under a fictitious name must register with, and be approved by, the California Board of Accountancy CBA before practicing and holding out to the public.

Connect with the CBA. License Lookup. What to Know About Your Search. Quick Hits. California Government. Forms and fees differ from one state and county to the next. As previously stated, you may be required to issue a notice in your local newspaper and then produce proof of publication to the state or county.

If you are a corporation or LLC, you would be required to provide a printed document issued by the Secretary of State that indicates the current existence of your corporation and its standing. You must decide what your assumed name will be, and how that name might benefit your company! DBAs allow you to become a unique entity and stand out from the competition with a creative and thoughtful title. Certain states require DBA or fictitious business name filings for the safety of consumers doing transactions with the entity.

Doing business as DBA is just another way to refer to a fictitious business name or trade name. Your FBN registration is valid for a set amount of time usually about five years before it has to be renewed.

You may need to renew your FBN document if some information on your statement changes, such as the number of owners or your firm address. Check with your county clerk or a state agency to see what types of changes necessitate a renewal. A fictitious business name is the name owners give to their business that differs from their legal name. For example, the FBN does not include their full birth name. I do business to pay the bills and make music to bring the thrills. Thanks to a bachelor in Business Administration, I'm well-versed in all things business.

Owning a construction company certainly helps, too, but it also brings out my love for building and home protection. Cloning a Hard Drive on Windows and Mac. Incorporating a Business in [Step-by-Step Guide]. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Table of Contents. Do you think fiction is all about mythical characters in books? What Is a Fictitious Business Name? When you do start thinking of a good name, you have two choices: If you are the sole owner , you can title your business entity off of your own name.

The other option, of course, is that you can skip this and create an FBN. The number of DBA names you can register is unlimited. You may file as many DBAs as your company requires! DBAs are misunderstood by first-time entrepreneurs as a form of business structure that would give them liability protection; however, this is not the case. Since FBNs give you a chance to create a unique identity, you can even establish a trademark and become a global brand.

Let us help you find everything you need to know about how to trademark a company name. One of the best advantages of DBA is that it allows owners to register their business under an assumed name to achieve privacy and security.