Oftentimes, while it’s a concept that creates a business, it’s a name that makes it, and choosing the right one for your new venture, is something that should be given due care and diligence.
Here’s how to select and register a name for your Florida business, but for more detailed guidance, seek help from a professional entity management company with state specific expertise:
Step One:
Choose the structure of your business
Your business’s structure will determine how you must register it in the state of Florida, and if you need help deciding which type of structure to select, you should consult with a professional entity management company who can give you all the latest guidance, and ensure that you make the right choice for your business. You can choose to form a sole proprietorship or general partnership, LLC (limited liability company) or corporation.
The factors you should consider when choosing a business structure will depend on your needs and wants for personal liability protection, tax liabilities, and paperwork to keep the company in compliance.
- Sole proprietorships
These typically operate under the same name as the owner; general partnerships on the other hand, must include the surnames of all partners.
- LLCs and corporations
Both entities require unique names and must adhere to certain naming rules; a local entity management company can guide you better.
Step Two:
Check the availability of your chosen name
Checking that your Florida business name is unique and that no other individual has formed a company using it, is essential before registration, and that includes checking that nobody else has control of it as an online domain name.
- Conducting a domain name search
Whether you plan to create a website for your business or not, it’s still worth checking that if your business name is available as a web domain (URL), as you may want to buy the web address to prevent others from using it. Usually, if the web domain is available, it will also be available in a business search.
- Searching for a business name in Florida
This next step is vital in the business registration process, as if the name you plan to use is already being used by someone else, you won’t be able to file it. So, you can use the Florida Division of Corporations business name search tool to discover whether your chosen name is available in the state of Florida.
If you’re forming a sole proprietorship or general partnership in Florida, a state level name search isn’t necessary, however, for registering fictional or DBA names, you will need to conduct a search of the database to check if it’s available and unique.
Step Three:
Form your Florida business with the state
After the business name and structure have been decided upon, you’ll need to take your formation documents and file them with the state; this registers your business with the state of Florida. For registering an LLC in Florida, you’ll be required to file the Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, which can be applied for online, by mail or in person. Should you choose to work with an entity management firm in Florida, they will be able to do this on your behalf. For corporations, you’ll need to file the Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Department of State.
To simplify the entire process of registering your Florida business, work with local professional entity management experts, who will ensure that your business is formed correctly, and swiftly.
Or use a professional service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to form your LLC for you.