How Much Does It Cost To Register A Business Name With The California Secretary Of State

How to Register a Business Name in California

Registering a business proper noun in California is washed when you form your business entity (LLC or corporation) with the state. Yous must kickoff choose your business structure, then do a business proper noun search to ensure name availability. Afterward, you must grade your entity with your business concern name with the state. Some businesses may also prefer to just register a DBA. Follow our step-past-footstep instructions and read our FAQs to get started.

How to Register a Business Name in California

Choose a Business Structure
Check Name Availablity
Form Your Concern With the State of California

Graphic showing how to register your business name in California.

Last Updated: 2022-03-04

Step one: Choose a Business Construction

Recommended: We typically recommend forming an LLC for most entrepreneurs because this structure comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty easy to maintain.

If you would similar to use a service, read our guide on the best LLC germination services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

Past default, sole proprietorships operate every bit the aforementioned name as the owner while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

Pace 2: Check Proper noun Availability

When registering a business name, it'due south important to make sure it'southward unique and no ane else in your state formed a company with information technology or has control of it online every bit a domain proper name.

Domain Proper name Search

We strongly recommend that you too check to come across if your business name is bachelor every bit a web domain (URL). Fifty-fifty if you don't programme to create a business concern website today, you may want to purchase the spider web address to foreclose others from acquiring that domain name. If the web domain is available then it's likely the name volition also be available in a business search.

Find a Domain Now

California Business Name Search

Next, search the California Secretarial assistant of Country's concern database tool. This is an important step in the process considering your filing will be denied if you try to file for a name already in use.

Search requirements tin can vary depending on your business concern needs. For example, a unique and available proper noun is required to:

File for formal business structures like LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA name for any business structure.

A land-level name search isn't required for breezy business organization structures like sole proprietorships or general partnerships in California. But, if you decide to annals a fictitious business name or DBA name, you'll need to search the database to meet if your desired name is unique and bachelor.

Step 3: Form Your Concern With the State of California

Once yous have selected your business concern structure and name, y'all volition need to file your formation documents with the state, which will register your business with the state of California.

To register your California LLC, you lot'll need to file the Articles of Organisation with the California Secretarial assistant of Land. You tin apply online, by mail, or in person. Read our Class an LLC in California guide for details.

Or use a professional person service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to course your LLC for you.

To register your California corporation, you'll need to file the Manufactures of Incorporation with the California Secretarial assistant of Land. Read our Grade a California Corporation guide to learn more.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Business organization Proper noun With a Trademark (Optional)

Once yous confirm the availability of your business organisation proper noun and secure it, you tin can choose to apply for a trademark for your business. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus any attorney fees as well as a renewal fee every 10 years.

While this cost can be loftier for a kickoff-up or fledgling business, it will give your company brand nationwide protection backed by federal law. That means if others try to do business organization with the same — or a similar — name as yours, you lot'll take legal precedent on your side. For about small businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Modify the Name of a California Business organization

Changing the name of a business in California tin can be washed in 2 ways: past filing for a fictitious business proper noun or past submitting an amendment to the legal name of an existing business.

The first method, filing for a fictitious business concern name (also known as a DBA name), is the easiest way to operate your business concern using a different name without needing to modify its legal proper name.

A DBA name is the only fashion for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a unlike business name. It's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because it allows them to avert filing an amendment or complicating their business organization operations while enabling them to operate with make names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal proper name.

If you want to change the legal proper name of your LLC or corporation, however, filing an amendment to the legal proper name of an existing business is your all-time choice. Here are links to forms for both options:

Amendment to the Articles of Organisation for LLCs
Document of Subpoena for Corporations

Both must be mailed with the $30 filing fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a small business license in California?

Y'all can get a business license through your local regime in California. To detect where to obtain a business organisation license in your area, use the CalGold website.

Do I need to file a fictitious business proper name in California?

Filing a fictitious business proper noun is not required in California. Youwill, however, need to file a fictitious business name in order to operate your business by a name other than its legal name.

How much does it cost to start a business in California?

Forming an LLC in California requires filing Manufactures of Arrangement with the California Secretary of State, which costs $lxx online or by mail.

Does an LLC need a fictitious business name?

California doesn't require LLCs to have a fictitious business concern name. Nonetheless, you should use one if you lot plan to operate your LLC past a proper name other than its legal business concern name and you lot don't want to file an amendment to modify your business proper name.

How long does it take to go a DBA in California?

Depending on your location, you may exist able to file for a DBA name in California instantly online. Y'all might accept to look longer in counties that require businesses to file in person or by mail.

How can I file a DBA online in California?

You tin file a DBA online in some California counties through your county's website. Other counties, like Sacramento County, will crave you to file in person or by post.

How can I register a business name for free?

In California, you must pay fees in gild to register a business concern name. The required fee corporeality will vary based on your location. In Los Angeles County, for example, the fee is $25 for the first DBA or fictitious business name and $5 for any additional names.

How much does information technology cost to register a business in California?

It depends on the blazon of business y'all're forming. For example, starting an LLC in California costs $70 to file Articles of Organisation with the Secretary of State. Forming a corporation in California, notwithstanding, costs $100 to file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of Land.

California Business Resource