{"id":5498,"date":"2016-04-04T10:48:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/registering-the-name-of-your-business.html"},"modified":"2026-06-11T00:23:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:23:00","slug":"registering-the-name-of-your-business","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/registering-the-name-of-your-business.html","title":{"rendered":"Registering the Name of Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Register a Business Name<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Linda Long, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Registering your\u00a0business name\u00a0is an essential step in starting a new enterprise. Registration helps your company build brand recognition by ensuring that other businesses in your state do not operate under the same name. In addition, if you plan on running your business as an independent entity, most states require you to establish a unique business name as part of the registration process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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What Businesses Should Register Their Names?<\/h2>\n

Whether or not a business has to register its name depends on how the\u00a0business is structured<\/a>. Businesses operating using one of the following structures are required to register their names when the company is formed:<\/p>\n