Does A Holding Company Need To Register In Ca

How to Register a Business Name in California

To register a concern proper name in California, you lot'll need to register your business with the state. You can form an LLC or corporation, or file for a "doing business concern as" name with your land'due south concern sectionalization.

Our How to Register a Business Name in California guide will walk you through each step of the process in California. Check out our other How to Register a Business concern Name guides to learn about registering a business name in every state.

Or simply utilise a reliable professional service:

Northwest ($39 + state fees).

(Nosotros recommend doing a name check first)

Graphic showing how to register your business name in California.

Final Updated: 2022-05-xviii

Pace 1: Choose a Business Structure

Recommended: We typically recommend forming an LLC for most entrepreneurs because this structure comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty easy to maintain.

If yous would like to use a service, read our guide on the best LLC formation services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

By default, sole proprietorships operate as the same proper noun as the owner while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

Pace ii: Cheque Name Availability

When registering a business organisation name, information technology'south important to make sure it's unique and no one else in your state formed a visitor with it or has command of information technology online equally a domain name.

Domain Name Search

We strongly recommend that you besides cheque to see if your business name is available as a web domain (URL). Even if yous don't plan to create a concern website today, you lot may desire to purchase the web accost to prevent others from acquiring that domain proper noun. If the web domain is available and then it's probable the name will likewise be available in a business search.

Find a Domain Now

California Business Name Search

Side by side, search the California Secretary of State's business organization database tool. This is an important step in the procedure considering your filing will exist denied if you endeavor to file for a name already in use.

Search requirements can vary depending on your business needs. For example, a unique and available name is required to:

File for formal business organisation structures similar LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA proper noun for whatever business structure.

A state-level proper noun search isn't required for informal business structures like sole proprietorships or general partnerships in California. Only, if you lot decide to register a fictitious business name or DBA name, you'll demand to search the database to run across if your desired name is unique and available.

Step 3: Form Your Business With the State of California

One time you have selected your concern structure and name, you will need to file your formation documents with the land, which will annals your business with the state of California.

To register your California LLC, you'll need to file the Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State. You lot tin apply online, past post, or in person. Read our Grade an LLC in California guide for details.

Or utilize a professional person service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to form your LLC for you.

To annals your California corporation, you'll demand to file the Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State. Read our Course a California Corporation guide to learn more than.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Business Name With a Trademark (Optional)

Once you lot confirm the availability of your business organisation name and secure information technology, you lot tin can choose to employ for a trademark for your business. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus any attorney fees as well equally a renewal fee every x years.

While this toll can be high for a get-go-up or fledgling business organisation, it will requite your visitor brand nationwide protection backed by federal law. That means if others endeavor to practice business with the same — or a similar — name as yours, y'all'll have legal precedent on your side. For most modest businesses, this actually isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Alter the Proper noun of a California Business

Irresolute the name of a business organization in California can exist done in two ways: by filing for a fictitious business name or by submitting an amendment to the legal name of an existing concern.

The starting time method, filing for a fictitious business organisation proper noun (as well known every bit a DBA name), is the easiest style to operate your business using a different name without needing to change its legal proper noun.

A DBA name is the only fashion for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a dissimilar business name. It's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because information technology allows them to avert filing an amendment or complicating their business operations while enabling them to operate with brand names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal name.

If y'all want to modify the legal name of your LLC or corporation, nonetheless, filing an subpoena to the legal name of an existing business is your all-time option. Hither are links to forms for both options:

Amendment to the Articles of Organization for LLCs
Certificate of Subpoena for Corporations

Both must be mailed with the $30 filing fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a small business organization license in California?

Yous tin get a business license through your local regime in California. To find where to obtain a business license in your expanse, use the CalGold website.

Exercise I need to file a fictitious business organization proper name in California?

Filing a fictitious business concern name is not required in California. Youwill, however, need to file a fictitious business name in lodge to operate your business past a name other than its legal name.

How much does it cost to beginning a business in California?

Forming an LLC in California requires filing Manufactures of Organization with the California Secretarial assistant of Land, which costs $70 online or past mail service.

Does an LLC need a fictitious business proper noun?

California doesn't require LLCs to have a fictitious business organization proper name. All the same, you should employ ane if yous plan to operate your LLC by a name other than its legal concern name and you don't want to file an amendment to alter your business proper noun.

How long does it accept to get a DBA in California?

Depending on your location, you may exist able to file for a DBA name in California instantly online. You might have to wait longer in counties that require businesses to file in person or by mail service.

How can I file a DBA online in California?

You can file a DBA online in some California counties through your county'southward website. Other counties, like Sacramento County, will require you to file in person or by mail.

How can I register a business name for costless?

In California, you must pay fees in club to register a business name. The required fee amount will vary based on your location. In Los Angeles Canton, for example, the fee is $25 for the first DBA or fictitious business organization proper name and $5 for whatever boosted names.

How much does it cost to register a business organization in California?

It depends on the type of business y'all're forming. For instance, starting an LLC in California costs $70 to file Articles of Organisation with the Secretary of Country. Forming a corporation in California, however, costs $100 to file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretarial assistant of State.

California Business concern Resource