How to Register a Trade Name in Arizona

Arizona doesn't require registration of trade names.

In Arizona, one of the first steps to opening your business doors is registering your trade name. Although this is not legally required in Arizona it is a common practice. Trade names need be registered only with the Corporation Commission or the Secretary of State, not with both.

Things You'll Need

• Legal name of your business
• Type of legal structure
• Name of the chief executive officer or owner
• Type of business
• Year the business began
• Name of headquarters and physical address
• Number of employees at the physical location

Instructions

1. Gather your data. You will need the legal name of your business and the type of legal structure it is, such as corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship; the name of the chief executive officer or owner; the type of business; the year it began; and the name and address of the headquarters.

2. Check the name availability with the Corporation Commission (See Resources section). Construction companies must call the Registrar of Contractors at 602-542-1525 to check on name availability. Mortgage companies can check with the Department of Banking at 602-255-4421. If your choice of name is taken, you will need to register another name.

3. Download the application and complete it with the information gathered in Step 1. Type or write in blue or black ink.

4. Send the completed application with a check or money order for $10 payable to:

   Secretary of State
   Business Services--Trade Names and Marks
   1700 W. Washington, 7th Floor
   Phoenix, AZ 85007

   The office does not accept credit cards.

5. Check your registration. Once registered, your trade name becomes public record and can be retrieved through the Registered Name Information Search (see Resources section).

References

• AZSOS: Tradename Registration Guidelines

Resources

• Corporation Commission: Name Lookup
• AZSOS: Trade Name Application