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How to Register a Business Name
Registering a business name is a short process people overcomplicate — the order matters more than the paperwork. Get the sequence right and you avoid paying to fix it later.
Check Your Name Before You Register →The 5 steps
- Check availability across all four layers: domain, social handles, state business registry, and a USPTO trademark pre-screen. Do this before you file anything.
- Choose your structure: LLC or corporation, or sole proprietor with a DBA. One-line difference: an entity is a separate legal person with liability separation; a DBA is just an alias for you, with no separation. This is general information, not legal advice.
- Register with the state or county: entities file with the secretary of state; DBAs usually file with the county clerk — rules vary by state. You pay the filing fee and receive your certificate.
- Claim the domain and handles: buy the .com and register the handles on the platforms that matter to you. This is brand control, not legal registration.
- Consider trademark filing: USPTO TEAS is the online filing system. Two filing bases: use-in-commerce (you are already using the name in business) and intent-to-use (you plan to use it, letting you lock the name before launch).
Common mistakes
- Filing the entity before checking the trademark: the state takes your filing fee either way — a trademark conflict discovered later can still force a rename.
- Registering a DBA and assuming it's protected nationwide: a county DBA protects nothing outside that county. Only a federal trademark reaches nationwide.
- Skipping the domain until after launch: discovering the .com is taken after you've printed everything costs you a rebrand or a buyout.
FAQ
Do I need to register my business name in every state?
Only in states where you form the entity or do business. A trademark registered federally applies nationwide; state registrations apply per state. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I start using the name before it's registered?
Yes — using a name does not require registration. But registration (entity, DBA, trademark) is what gives you formal rights, so don't invest heavily in branding before the four-layer availability check is done.
How does NameCheck help with registration?
It doesn't file for you — but it runs the step-1 availability check across all four layers in one go, so the name you take to the clerk or to TEAS is one that's actually clearable. The $9 Clearance Report adds trademark risk detail, alternative names, and a PDF clearance report.
Check Your Name Before You Register →
More: Check If a Business Name Is Available · LLC Name Availability · How to Choose an Available Business Name
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