Registering a Trade Name in Hawaii: A Step-by-Step Guide

How do I register a trade name in Hawaii?
Your Hawaii trade name can be filed online or by mail with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. You can file online with the Hawaii Business Express website, or you can complete a hard copy Application for Registration of Trade Name.
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One of the first steps you should do when starting a business in Hawaii is to register your trade name. The name you use to do business is known as a trade name. The phrase “doing business as” (DBA) is another moniker for it. In addition to providing you with legal protection, registering your trade name aids in building your brand identification. This article will walk you through the process of registering a trade name in Hawaii.

Step 1: Verify the name’s availabilty

You must confirm that your trade name is available before registering it. To do this, use the Hawaii Business Express website’s search function. You can use the website’s company name search feature to see if the name you want to use is taken. Additionally, you ought to look for names that are similar and can be confusing.

Step 2: Submit an application for a business name You can submit a business name application to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) once you have verified that the name you have chosen is accessible. Through the website of Hawaii Business Express, the application can be submitted online. Your company name, business type, and other pertinent details must be provided. There is a $50 non-refundable filing fee.

Third Step: Post a Notice You must issue a notice of your registration in a newspaper with general distribution in the county where your business is located after submitting the business name application. After the registration date, you have 60 days to publish the notification. Your company’s name, its nature, and the date of registration must all be mentioned in the notice.

Renew Your Registration in Step 4

The registration of your trade name is good for five years. Before it expires, you must renew your registration. Through the Hawaii Business Express website, you can update your registration information online. The $25 renewal fee applies.

How Much Does It Cost in Hawaii to Trademark a Name?

Trademark registration in Hawaii is distinct from business name registration. You have the sole right to use your name or emblem in connection with your goods or services if you register a trademark. The type of application you submit will determine the cost of trademark registration in Hawaii. A typical trademark application costs $225 for each class of products or services. To submit a TEAS Plus application, you must fulfill a number of standards, and the application fee is $225 per type of products or services.

What Sets a Trade Name Apart from a Trademark?

The name you use to do business is known as a trade name. It’s utilized to make your company known to the general public. Contrarily, a trademark is a symbol, design, or term that identifies and sets your goods or services apart from those of your rivals. While registering your trade name offers your company name legal protection, it does not grant you the only right to use your name or emblem in connection with your goods or services. You must submit a trademark registration application for it.

Does Hawaii Require a DBA?

You must file a DBA registration if you are doing business under a name other than your own or the name of your company. You need to register a DBA for “Hawaii Plumbing Services” if your company is called “John’s Plumbing LLC” but you want to use the term “Hawaii Plumbing Services” since doing so helps you build your brand identity and provides legal protection for your trade name.

FAQ
What is an example of a trade name?

“Nike” is an example of a trade name for a business that sells athletic clothing and footwear.