You might have registered a trade name, sometimes referred to as a “doing business as” or DBA name, with the state of Colorado if you run a business there. A trade name is the name that a company uses to conduct business and to identify itself to the public. The legal name of a company, which is the name registered with the state, is frequently substituted with trade names.
Step 1: Confirm the Status of Your Trade Name You must contact the Colorado Secretary of State to find out the status of your trade name before starting the renewal procedure. This can be done by conducting a search for your company on the Secretary of State’s website. If your trade name is active, a “Renew” button will appear next to it.
You must complete the Trade Name Renewal Application, which is available on the Secretary of State’s website, in order to renew your trade name. Basic information about your company, such as your trade name, legal name, and mailing address, will be requested on the application.
In Colorado, a trade name renewal costs $20. You have two options for paying this fee: either online with a credit or debit card, or by sending the Secretary of State’s office a check or money order.
You’ll receive notification that your trade name has been renewed after submitting your renewal application and payment. The postal address you specified on your application will receive this confirmation. What is DBA Example, exactly?
Doing Business As, often known as a DBA, is a registered trade name that a company employs in place of its legal name. If you run a restaurant with the name “Pizza Palace,” but your official company name is John Smith Enterprises LLC, you can register “Pizza Palace” as your DBA name.
The same DBA name cannot be used by two different businesses. A DBA name that has been registered with the state serves as a special identification for your company. You will need to pick an alternative name if the DBA name you desire is currently being used by another company.
The fact that a DBA offers no legal protection for your company name is one of its key drawbacks. You might not have any legal options to prevent another business from using your DBA name or a name that is similar to it. Additionally, you might need to register your DBA name in each state where you operate if you want to grow your firm into additional states.
What exactly is a forced trade name? A forced trade name is a name that a company must use in place of its desired trade name by order of the state. This might occur if the chosen name is thought to be misleading or deceptive, or if it is too close to the name of another company. Usually, the state will give the company a list of acceptable trade names from which to choose.