Knowing who owns a company is crucial if you have an interest in it or need to do business with it. You can use this information to make wise selections and steer clear of dishonest or unethical businesses. This article will cover how to discover a company’s owners as well as related topics including how to trademark a company name, whether Alabama needs a registered agent, and how to rename an LLC there. How to Discover a Company’s Ownership
1. Verify the company’s website: Most companies will feature their owners or other important employees in a “About Us” or “Our Team” section of their website.
3. Verify the company’s state registration: The Secretary of State’s office in each state keeps a record of all firms registered there. To learn who owns a specific company, search the state’s database. 4. Examine the company’s tax records: The majority of companies file tax returns with the IRS. The IRS will provide you with a copy of a business’ tax return (Form 1040), which will list the owners or other important individuals. How long is a name reservation valid for?
The act of reserving a specific company name for a predetermined amount of time is known as name reservation. The state determines how long the name reservation is valid. Name reservations may be made for up to 120 days in some states and up to six months in others. How to Register a Business Name as a Trademark In order to protect a company name as a trademark, the USPTO must receive registration of the name. It is advised that you enlist the help of a skilled trademark attorney because this procedure can be difficult and time-consuming. To protect a company name as a trademark, you must first check to see if the name has already been registered by another party, submit a trademark application to the USPTO, and pay any applicable costs.
Yes, all LLCs in Alabama are required to have a registered agent. A person or business selected as the LLC’s registered agent will receive all legal and other official documents on the company’s behalf. The registered agent must be accessible to receive these documents during regular business hours and have a physical location in Alabama.
You must submit Articles of Amendment to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office if you want to rename an LLC there. The new name of the LLC must be included in the Articles of Amendment, which must also be signed by a licensed LLC representative. The processing of the change could take several weeks, and there is a charge associated with submitting the Articles of Amendment.
In summary, knowing a company’s ownership is a crucial step in conducting business with them or avoiding dishonest or unethical businesses. Additionally, being aware of name reservation periods, trademarking a company name, registered agent requirements, and how to modify an LLC’s name in Alabama will aid business owners in making educated selections and guaranteeing they adhere to state regulations.