For a variety of reasons, you as a business owner could feel the need to change the name of your company. Perhaps you wish to change the name of your company or simply believe that the current name no longer accurately describes it. Whatever the cause, renaming your company in Maryland is a straightforward procedure that may be completed in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Verify Your New Business Name Is Available Checking to see if your proposed new business name is available is the first step in renaming your company in Maryland. To achieve this, go to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) website and conduct a database search for the requested name. If the name is accessible, go to the following action.
Articles of Amendment must then be filed with the SDAT after you have made sure your new business name is accessible. This can be submitted online or by mail. You must provide your business name, the new name you intend to use, and the justification for the name change on the Articles of Amendment form. Additionally, there will be a cost for filing the paperwork.
You must amend your business name with other agencies after submitting the Articles of Amendment. This includes notifying the IRS, the Maryland Comptroller’s Office, and any other organizations you have registered with of any changes to your business name. Any licenses or permissions you have earned will also need to have your business name updated.
In Maryland, you are allowed to act as your own resident agent. For the benefit of the company, a resident agent is in charge of receiving official correspondence and legal documents. The resident agent must, however, have a Maryland physical address and be accessible during regular business hours. How Do You Register a Business Name as a Trademark?
You must submit a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in order to register a company name as a trademark. Your company name, the products or services you offer, and other pertinent details must be entered into the application. When your application is accepted, you will be granted sole use of the trademarked name for your company.
No, a trading name does not need to be registered in Maryland. However, you must submit a Trade Name Registration with the SDAT if you are conducting business under a name other than your registered business name. A “doing business as” (DBA) registration is another name for this.
A DBA has the drawback of not offering legal protection for your company name. This implies that a different company may use the same name. Furthermore, a DBA does not establish a distinct legal entity for your company; as a result, you will continue to be personally accountable for any debts or legal problems that develop.
In Maryland, if using the same trading name results in consumer confusion, two businesses cannot use it. This is due to a legislation in Maryland called the “Trademark Act” which forbids the use of a name that can lead to misunderstanding, error, or fraud. Therefore, legal action may be taken to address the problem if two businesses use the same trading name and it causes consumer confusion.