You must file a fake business name registration with the California Secretary of State if you are conducting business under a name other than your own. Your fictitious business name, sometimes referred to as your “doing business as,” must be registered every five years. It is crucial to remember that the length of the renewal term can change depending on the county in which your company is located. To make sure you adhere to the rules, it is crucial to check the local county standards.
You must fill out a new Fictitious Business Name Statement and submit it to the county clerk’s office in order to renew your fictitious business name in California. The statement must contain the same details as the initial filing, such as the business name, address, and name and address of the registered owner. Your fictitious business name will be renewed for an additional five years once you have filed the declaration and paid the necessary price.
The county clerk’s office where you initially filed your statement is where you can go if you require a copy of your DBA in California. A copy can be ordered online, by mail, or in person. Depending on how you receive the copy, there may be different rates, and if you require a certified copy, there may be an additional charge.
A newspaper that has been adjudicated is one that the county clerk’s office has given permission to publish legal notices, such as the publication of a false business name. Before you can file your fictitious business name statement in California, you must publish a statement of your fictitious business name in an adjudicated newspaper for four consecutive weeks. You will receive an affidavit of publication from the newspaper, which you must submit to the county clerk’s office.
You can search the online database of the California Secretary of State, which provides a list of registered business names, to see if the name you want to use for your company is already taken. In the county clerk’s office where you want to submit your fictitious business name statement, you can also conduct a search. To avoid any future legal concerns, it is crucial to make sure your company name is original.
Finally, you have the option of including “CO,” which stands for “company,” in the name of your corporation. However, rather than sole proprietorships or partnerships, this designation is more frequently applied to corporations and limited liability firms. You must make sure that your company is registered as a corporation or LLC with the California Secretary of State if you choose to utilize “CO” in your business name.
In conclusion, any business owner must take the crucial step of establishing a fictitious business name in California. Every five years, you should renew your DBA and be sure to follow any applicable county regulations. You can check if your preferred business name is already in use, publish your statement in an adjudicated publication, and get a copy of your DBA from the county clerk’s office. If you have a corporation or LLC registration, you may also use “CO” in your company name. You can make sure that your company is operating lawfully by adhering to these rules and preventing any potential legal problems.
You might want to think about filing a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect your company name. This will offer legal protection and stop other companies from going by the same name as yours. To make sure that no one else is already using the name you wish to use for your firm, you may also perform a comprehensive search. Additionally, you might want to think about registering your company name with your state or local government as a fictitious business name.