If you have not registered your business with your secretary of state, you may only do business under your personal name. You may not legally use your business name without first registering it as one of the many business entities recognized by your state and the IRS.

Is it illegal to trade without a registered business name?

It’s an offence to carry on business under an unregistered business name unless you trade under your own name such as Mary Jones. If you want your business to trade under a name that is different from your legal name, then you’ll have to register it as a business name.

Does your business name need to be registered?

You need to register a business name if you conduct business under a name other than your own. This means you can operate your business in any state or territory in Australia. At the Australian Government’s Business Registration website you can register a business name using one online form.

Does a sole trader need a business name?

Can a sole trader have a business name? Absolutely. Being a sole trader doesn’t mean you have to operate under your own personal name. The entity will always be your personal name, but you can still register a business name to use.

How to register a business name other than your full name?

1 A Sole Proprietor or Partnership using a name other than the full legal name of the owner or owners. 2 A Corporation, Limited Partnership, or Limited Liability Company operating under a name other than the name registered with the Office of the Secretary of State. 3 Any business name you are using that is not your full legal name.

Can you start a business without a business name?

Without being registered as an actual business, most sources of capital will not listen to your presentation without being registered as a corporation.

Can you trade with a different name to your registered name?

You can trade using a different name to your registered name. This is known as a ‘business name’. Business names must not: include ‘limited’, ‘Ltd’, ‘limited liability partnership, ‘LLP’, ‘public limited company’ or ‘plc’.

How to register a business name in Washington State?

If your business activities will stay within Washington, it may be to your benefit to file for a trademark with the Secretary of State. Secretary of State Corporations Registration Data Search: Corporation and limited liability company names.