What is a Fictitious Business Name?
Another step your startup must take before it gets underway is relatively simple, but extremely important: you have to register your fictitious business name. A fictitious business name is a name of company that does not include the surname of the owner or the names of all of the partners of the company. For instance, a startup called John Smiths Arcade would be acceptable and would not need to be registered under a fictitious name. On the other hand, a company called Blasters Arcade would be obligated to register its name.
Where Do I Register My Fictitious Business Name?
Where you register your fictitious business name (also known as an assumed name, trade name, or a doing business as name) depends on where you live. Some states make you register your startups trade name with the county clerk, others do not. The amount of paperwork and the size of the fee also vary based on the location of your new venture. We recommend that you visit Business.gov and do some research to find out what you need to do to get your business name listed.
How Do I Get My Fictitious Business Name?
Again, every state has a different set of guidelines for registering your trade name. In San Diego County, it is recommended that you perform an in person search at the clerks office and an online search to make sure that your business name is not already taken. You can also check by mailing your business name to your local clerks office, but this usually takes 2-3 weeks.
If the name you want has not been taken, you can then file your fictitious business name either in person or by mail. We suggest you do this in person due to the importance of this document. In San Diego County, all that needs to be done is completing a Fictitious Business Name Statement and paying a $30 fee. Thats all it takes to get your trade name registered!
In our next post we will review how to get a seller’s permit. See you Thursday!
