How to Register a Trading Name
If you own a business, it is important to register that business's trade name to protect its identity. By registering a trade name, you stake your own claim to the brand name and prevent another commercial entity from using it. Having a registered trade name also establishes you as a more legitimate business when dealing with clients or potential financiers.
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Instructions
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Brainstorm a minimum of five potential trading names. You will need multiple options when it comes time to check with your Secretary of State's office regarding the availability of prospective names.
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Check with your state's Registered Name Information Search, or the corresponding database run by your secretary of state. Begin with your top choice for a trading name, then go down the list until you come to an available trading name.
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Obtain a trading name registration application from your Secretary of State's office or the state office managing the applications. You can write to the specific office, go into the office personally or you may be able to receive one over the Internet.
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Fill out the application, which will ask for information about your business and why you feel you need a trading name, then mail it to the necessary office. Be sure to include the application fee, which will likely run anywhere from $25 to $50, depending on your state.
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Wait for a confirmation from the office, which usually takes anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on your state and the backlog.
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