You might be wondering whether you need to register your business name if you’re beginning a business in Georgia. Yes, you do need to register your business name in Georgia, to give you the quick answer. The benefit of registering your company name is that it helps safeguard your brand from imitators who might try to use a similar name. Furthermore, registering your business name might support building reputation with clients and suppliers.
In Georgia, you can register your company name with the Georgia Secretary of State by submitting a Trade Name Registration form. This filing is also referred to as a “doing business as” (DBA) filing. If you intend to conduct business using a name different than your legal name, you must submit a DBA registration. As an illustration, if your name is John Smith and you want to launch a company called “Smith’s Service,” you would need to submit a DBA registration.
In Georgia, registering a DBA is a straightforward procedure. Online or mail-in filing is an option. The enrollment cost is $25. A certificate of registration will be given to you if your registration is accepted. It’s crucial to understand that registering your business under a DBA is not the same as doing so as a legal body, such as a corporation or LLC. Additional legal protection and tax advantages are provided by registering your company as a legal entity.
You might want to think about trademarking your company name in addition to registering it. A trademark is a design, term, or phrase that sets your company apart from competitors’ brands. You can give your brand more legal protection by registering a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, the procedure of registering a trademark can be more time-consuming and costly than the process of acquiring a DBA.
In conclusion, you must register your business name by submitting a DBA registration if you intend to conduct business in Georgia under a name other than your legal name. This straightforward and reasonably priced method may safeguard your brand and build trust with clients and suppliers. For added legal protection, you can also think about trademarking your company name.