How to Claim Ownership of My Business Name
By Owen E. Richason IV
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To operate your business under a name other than its legal name, register it as a Doing Business As or Fictitious Name (DBA). Some jurisdictions may use other terms like "fictitious business name," "trade name," or "assumed name," according to Legalzoom.com. Registering a DBA is a simple process.
Check the availability of your fictitious business name. Prior to applying for a fictitious name certificate to claim ownership, a business owner must determine the availability of the DBA. Determine the agency responsible for registering DBAs or fictitious names. This is either the secretary of state or the clerk's office in the county where the business is located. Go to the agency's website and perform a fictitious name search to ensure it is not already registered.
Complete the fictitious name or DBA registration forms. Visit the secretary of state's website and download the necessary application/registration forms or phone the agency and request the forms by mail. Complete the forms in their entirety and attach a copy of the name search showing the DBA is available for registration. Mail the documents back to the registrar with a self-addressed stamped envelope and preprinted return address.
Publish a notice of DBA or fictitious name registration. Most jurisdictions require business owners to publish notice of fictitious name registration in the local newspaper along with the name and address of the legally-registered business. For instance, a company legally named "Jones Farm Eateries" registering a DBA of "The Capitol Grill" must identify both names in the notice.
Receive the fictitious name's official registration. The registrar will return via postal mail a certificate of fictitious name to the registering company. This certificate, along with an IRS-granted Employer Identification Number allows the new business entity to open a checking account and seek necessary licenses and permits to operate.
Entrepreneur: File Your DBA
Nolo: Registering Your Business Name
Business.gov: Business Name Registration (Doing Business As)
Legal Zoom: Definition of a DBA
Owen Richason grew up working in his family's small contracting business. He later became an outplacement consultant, then a retail business consultant. Richason is a former personal finance and business writer for "Tampa Bay Business and Financier." He now writes for various publications, websites and blogs.
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1 How to Create a DBA or LLC
2 How to Sue for the Use of a Copyrighted Song Without Permission
3 How to Register or Establish a Charity Organization
4 How to Register a DBA in Indiana