As a business owner, you could like to use a name other than your official business name. Trade names, commonly referred to as “doing business as” (DBA) names, are used in this situation. But can you give your company a trade name? The response is yes, but there are specific actions you must follow.
An additional name that a company employs in addition to its legal name is known as a DBA. In contrast, an LLC is a sort of corporate structure that protects its owners from responsibility and distinguishes between personal and corporate assets. An LLC offers legal protection, whereas a DBA does not. It’s significant to remember that an LLC may conduct business under a trade name. Is a DBA required in Washington State?
If you conduct business in Washington State under a name other than your legal name, you must register a trade name. All different kinds of business entities, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs, are covered by this. Can I change the name of my company in Washington State?
In Washington State, changing your company name is possible by submitting the required papers to the Secretary of State’s office. If you run a corporation or LLC, this entails revising your articles of incorporation or organization, and if you run a sole proprietorship or partnership, it entails registering a new trade name.
Washington State charges $5 for online filings and $10 for paper filings to register a trade name. There can be additional costs if you want to rename your corporation or LLC. The Secretary of State’s office should be contacted for the most recent information and costs.
Adding a trade name to your company is a very easy process, but it’s crucial to take the right precautions to make sure that your firm is running lawfully. You can operate under the name that best expresses your brand while safeguarding your assets and reputation by registering your trade name and revising your business documentation.
Prior to creating a trade name, pick a name that is distinct and not being used by another company. The next step is to do a trademark database search to see if the name is accessible for registration as a trade name. Once you’ve made sure the name is accessible, you can register it with the relevant organization in your state or nation. Additionally, you might want to think about working with a lawyer to guide you through the procedure and guarantee that your trade name is protected by the law.