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Ready to make your business name official? This guide walks you through every type of business name registration.
Types of Business Name Registration
State Business Registration
LLC, Corporation, or Partnership with your Secretary of State
DBA (Doing Business As)
Fictitious name registration
Federal Trademark
Nationwide brand protection through USPTO
Domain Registration
Your website address and online identity
Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
| Structure | Best For | Liability Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship | Freelancers | None |
| LLC | Most small businesses | Yes |
| Corporation | Investment, scaling | Yes |
| Partnership | Multi-owner businesses | Limited |
Most startups should form an LLC for liability protection and tax flexibility.
Step 2: Check Name Availability
Search State Database
Check Domain Availability
Search USPTO
Google Search
Step 3: Register with Your State
| State | Website | LLC Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | corp.delaware.gov | $90 |
| California | sos.ca.gov | $70 |
| Texas | sos.state.tx.us | $300 |
| New York | dos.ny.gov | $200 |
| Florida | sunbiz.org | $125 |
Step 4: Register a DBA (If Needed)
A DBA is needed when operating under a name different from your legal entity name. File with your county clerk. Cost: $25-150.
Step 5: Register Your Domain
Domains can be purchased by anyone at any time. Register your domain immediately.
With namemyapp:
- Domain registration from $1.99/year
- Free WHOIS privacy
- Free DNS management
- Free SSL certificate
Step 6: Consider Trademark
While optional, federal trademark registration provides the strongest brand protection. File through USPTO.gov ($250-350 per class). Takes 8-12 months.
Complete Registration Checklist
| Task | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Register domain | $10-65/yr | Instant |
| State business registration | $50-500 | 1-5 days |
| Get EIN from IRS | Free | Instant |
| File DBA (if needed) | $25-150 | 1-10 days |
| Register trademark | $250-350 | 8-12 months |
Start with the Right Name
The best registration process starts with choosing a distinctive, available name. namemyapp generates brandable business names with verified available domains.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Domain?
Generate AI-powered business names with guaranteed availability. No signup required.
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