How to Register a Business Name in Illinois

According to the Illinois Assumed Name Act, if your business name is different from your legal name, you have to register it. Choosing a name is important in a business; the right name can help your business image. The first letter can affect your placement on alphabetical lists; how easy it is to remember can ensure that you stay on your prospect's mind. But, if someone gets it before you, you have to find another name. The trick is to register this name before someone else does.

Instructions

1. Access the State of Illinois Business Portal Website (see Resources below). Click "Starting a business" from the options on the left, then select "Business Start-Up Guides" on the page that shows up. Click on "Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Business," then select option 3, "Where do I register a business?" Select "Find Your County Clerk" to get to the Illinois Department of Public Health (see Resources below). Find your county address, then proceed to register your business name with the county clerk.

2. Let the county clerk know that you've came to register a business name; allow the agency to check its database to make sure your name is available. Know that some counties will let you search their database. Receive an "Assumed Name Certificate Intention" form from the county clerk. Provide the names and addresses of the business you intend to do transactions with in the next section of the form.

3. Print the type of business you intend to conduct, in the county, in the first line entry. Write the business name you want to register in the second line entry. Include every post office address that you intend to conduct your business from in the third line entry. Proceed to the next section of the form to write the names and addresses of the businesses you intend to do business with under your assumed name. Include the date information.

4. Find an Illinois Public Notary to notarize your "Assumed Name Certificate Intention" form. One may be in the county clerk's office. If not, access "123 Notary's" Website, then click "Advanced Search" under the "search" button. Scroll down the page and click "Find a notary," then click "Illinois." Select "Look up an Illinois Notary Public by County," then select your county's name. Contact this public notary to have your form notarized.

5. Return the completed and notarized "Assumed Name Certificate Intention" to the county clerk for filing. Pay a filing fee of $5, then receive its receipt. Proceed to your favorite newspaper and place an advertisement for your business. Receive a "Certificate of Publication" from the newspaper after your business has been advertised the minimum number of weeks. Go back to the county clerk's office and have it file that certificate with your "Assumed Name Certificate Intention" form.

Tips & Warnings

• Since the county clerk processes business name registrations on a regular basis, it may have a notary public on its staff. If it does have someone on staff, it'll just direct you to this person to get your form notarized. Retain a lawyer qualified to practice law in Illinois when you're registering a new business name.

• You must submit your completed form to the county clerk for filing in less than 50 days. If you don't get it in on time, it'll be null and void, and you'll have to file another one. You must also publish your business in the newspaper within 15 days of registering your business name. If you don't do this, you'll have to repeat the filing process. Contact the office of the county clerk for your county to check for rule updates.

Resources

• State of Illinois Business Portal
• Illinois Department of Public Health, County Clerk Addresses
• State of Illinois County of Stephenson Assumed Name Certificate Intention
• Doing Business Under an Assumed Name General Instructions for Bloomington, Illinois 61702-2400
• 123 Notary Website, Directory of Public Notaries