How do I incorporate a business name?

Answer 1

First, it must be clarified: do you want to incorporate a business or register a name? This answers both.

Generally, most states have a "Secretary of State" office. Simply search for the terms: [Your state], "secretary" and "state." These state offices provide the means to incorporate a business, as well as "register" a name.

If you are merely looking to conduct business under an assumed name, you will likely need to contact the Assumed Name office of the county for your business (e.g. the County Clerk's Office in Texas counties). There you can do it for very little and have it "registered" but not "incorporated" for a long time (over to 7 years in most cases.

Be prepared to come up with several alternate names for the business as more common ones will likely already be taken. Good luck with the business!

Answer 2

Contact the Secretary of State in the state you want to incorporate in and request incorporation papers. There is usually a fee of $100 to $300 depending on the state. The Secretary of State will have an office at the state capital

Answer 3

To incorporate a business, you must file the business name with your state govenment; it could be the franchise division of the state. Once you get the paperwork, your "ID" will be your social-security-number and all the other information would related to ownership (i.e. YOU) and place of business and contact information. Its primarily a 'taxation-issue' but should not be overly hard to attain.

Please note that this does not mean that you can 'sell' anything legally. You will still have to get a vendor's license to sell items in a particular city or state; check with the government (city, state, fed) of where you are planning to sell.

Hope that helps. I placed a single link below but you can get the same information from the state's website for a lower cost.

Wyndell

Answer 4

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Inc. Yourself: How to Profit By Setting Up Your Own Corporation, Completely Revised 9th Edition by Judith H. Mcquown
* Incorporating Your Business for Dummies by The Company Corporation
* Ultimate Guide to Incorporating in Any State by Michael Spadaccini
* Corporations Step-by-Step (Legal-Ease Series) by David, M.B.A., J.D., CPA Minars

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 5

It's not the name you incorporate, it's the company.

A corporation is a form of ownership, as opposed to a sole proprietorship, or a partnership.

You have to get a charter from a state to form a corporation.

Advatages include limited liability on the part of the owner(s).