You must apply for a DBA if you wish to start a business in Hawaii using a name other than your own legal name. “Doing business as” (DBA) is another name for a trade name or fictional name. An instruction manual for obtaining a DBA in Hawaii is provided below:
Step 1: Select a Name Choosing a name that is available is the first step in obtaining a DBA in Hawaii. By conducting a search on the Hawaii Business Express website, you can determine whether your selected name is available. It’s critical to pick a name for your company that both accurately describes it and is simple for clients to recall.
Step 2: Register your business name Once you’ve decided on a name, you must register it with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) by submitting a trade name registration form. The filing fee is $50, and you can do it online or by mail. The registration fee is $25, and it can be renewed for another five years.
Step 3: Issue a Notice
Following the submission of your trade name registration, you must issue a notice that must be published in a newspaper with a general distribution in the county where your company is based. For three weeks in a row, the notice must be published once each week. The DCCA will want documentation of your publications. In Hawaii, you can alter your DBA. If your DBA in Hawaii has to be changed, you must submit an Amendment to Trade Name Registration form to the DCCA. You must pay a $25 charge and publish a change notice in a publication with wide distribution. The DCCA will also need you to present proof of publication.
Hawaii Business Licenses for Sole Proprietors Hawaii does not require sole proprietors to get a state business license. They might, however, be required to acquire a county license or permission depending on the nature of their operation. For instance, the Hawaii Department of Health will need you to apply for a permit if you plan to open a food service business. How much does a business license in Hawaii cost? In Hawaii, the cost of a business license varies by county and type of enterprise. For instance, a general excise tax license costs $20 in Honolulu while just costing $4 on Maui. The county in which you intend to conduct business is the ideal place to inquire about the price of a business license in Hawaii. registering a name as a trademark in Hawaii You must submit an application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) if you want to trademark a name in Hawaii. Depending on the type of trademark and the number of classes of products and services you intend to protect, an application with the USPTO can cost more or less money. The price per class typically ranges from $225 to $400. It’s crucial to understand that getting a DBA is not the same as trademarking a name. A trademark gives you the exclusive right to use the name in connection with your goods or services, but a DBA just gives you the legal right to use the name in your business.
The decision of a name, submission of a Trade Name Registration, and publication of a notice are the only steps required to get a DBA in Hawaii. The cost of a business license and trademarking a name varies based on the region and type of business, and sole proprietors in Hawaii may additionally need to acquire a county license or permission. It’s wise to speak with a company lawyer or counselor if you have any issues or need help with the procedure.
You must submit a Trade Name Registration form to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division in order to register a business name in Hawaii. The application can be completed online or printed out and mailed in with the necessary registration money. Upon approval, you will obtain a DBA (Doing Business As) certificate, commonly known as a certificate of registration for your company name.