More Resources

Name That Biz

Think the business-name registration process in Florida is the same as the one in California? Think again.
Article Tools
T   |   T
TEXT SIZE:
printPrint
E-MailE-Mail
My Bookmarks

Add to My Bookmarks
Name That Biz
Think the business-name registration process in Florida is the same as the one in California? Think again.

Adds Article to your Entrepreneur Assist Bookmark page.

Q: What exactly do I have to do to register my business name?

Name withheld

A: Registering a business name is usually not difficult, but how you do it varies from state to state. Your first step is to log on to your state's Web site and find out what your state requires. Here's what to look for:

  • Do you register at the state or county level? Florida and Missouri require registration with a state office; other states, like California, send you to the county courthouse. Some will let you register online, so you can avoid both travel and paperwork.
  • Do you need to advertise your use of a fictitious name in a newspaper? It depends. In California, the answer is yes. But in Michigan, it's no. The good news is that you don't have to use the daily newspaper for a public notice. You can use a small weekly instead-it probably has lower rates and will help you fill out any paperwork.
  • Can you use a business name someone else is using? Not in states like New York-but some states, like Florida, allow it. Still, it's good business to determine if a name is already in use or protected by a trademark or service mark. Check the online Yellow Pages at Switchboard.com and AnyWho (www.anywho.com). Do a trademark search using the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's free database (www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm). Or try your state's Web site.

Paul and Sarah Edwards are the co-authors of 15 books, including The Entrepreneurial Parent. Send them your start-up business questions at www.workingfromhome.com or in care of Entrepreneur.

Content Continues Below




Today on Entrepreneur
Current Issue
Young Millionaires
From bootstrap to big time, our 2008 picks share their secrets to multimillion-dollar success.
Magazine Resources
sponsored by
Resource Centers
SecurityResource Center
Protecting your customers' information or preventing physical theft and keeping your company secure is a fundamental part of doing business

More Resources



Office Live Small Business
Get Online and Attract More Customers Now
Office Live Small Business Related Services

e-Business & Technology
Franchise News
Business Book Sampler
Starting a Business
Sales & Marketing
Growing a Business
E-mail*:
Zip Code*:
Subscribe to Entrepreneur Magazine