How to Get a Business Name

There are a couple different avenues to take when getting a business name. Establishing your business name will probably be easier then choosing your business name. The following steps will show you how to get your business name and trademark it if you desire.

Things You'll Need

• Filing fees, No tools needed

Instructions

1. Begin by deciding on the name of your business.

2. Decide if you want to own the rights exclusively to the name of your business such as a trademark it, or if you simply want to file for a DBA which "doing business as".

3. File your DBA at your local city hall, usually for under $30.

4. Trademarking or branding will give you legal exclusive ownership over the name you choose. Log on to www.uspto.com, go to the registered trademarks link and do a search on the name you have decided to use for your business. If the search comes up empty you can begin the registration process.

5. Read the application line for line, then fill it out.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to trademark consider using a broker firm such as legal zoom.com

• Don't promote or publicize an unique or original concept without patenting or trademarking it