What Massachusetts State Agency Do You Go To When You Need To Register Your Business Name?

Footstep 1: Cull Business Structure

Recommended: We typically recommend forming an LLC for virtually entrepreneurs considering this structure comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty easy to maintain.

If you would similar to utilise a service, read our guide on the all-time LLC formation services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

Past default, sole proprietorships operate every bit the same name as the owner while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

Stride 2: Bank check Name Availability

When registering a business name, it'south important to brand sure it'south unique and no one else in your land formed a company with it or has control of information technology online every bit a domain proper name.

Domain Name Search

We strongly recommend that you likewise check to run into if your business proper noun is available as a web domain (URL). Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to purchase the web address to prevent others from acquiring that domain name. If the web domain is available and then it's likely the name will as well be available in a business search.

Find a Domain Now

Massachusetts Business Proper name Search

Next, search the Massachusetts business entity search tool. This is an important pace in the process because your filing volition exist denied if you try to file for a name already in use.

Search requirements can vary depending on your business organisation needs. For instance, a unique and available name is required to:

File for formal business structures like LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA proper noun for whatsoever concern structure.

A state-level name search isn't required for informal business structures like sole proprietorships or general partnerships in Massachusetts. Merely, if you lot determine to register a business concern certificate name or DBA name, you'll demand to search the database to encounter if your desired name is unique and available.

Stride three: Class Your Business With the Country of Massachusetts

Once you take selected your business organisation structure and name, you volition need to file your formation documents with the state, which will register your business concern with the Country of Massachusetts.

To register your Massachusetts LLC, you lot'll demand to file the Document of Organisation with the Massachusetts Secretarial assistant of the Commonwealth. You can utilise online or by postal service. Read our Form an LLC in Massachusetts guide for details.

Or use a professional service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to form your LLC for you.

To register your Massachusetts corporation, you'll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Read our Grade a Massachusetts Corporation guide to learn more.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Business Proper noun With a Trademark (Optional)

In one case you lot ostend the availability of your business concern proper name and secure it, you tin cull to use for a trademark for your business organization. This typically costs effectually $225 to $400 plus any attorney fees too as a renewal fee every x years.

While this cost can be high for a start-up or fledgling business concern, information technology volition give your visitor make nationwide protection backed past federal police. That ways if others effort to do business with the same — or a similar — name as yours, you'll have legal precedent on your side. For most pocket-size businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Alter the Proper noun of a Massachusetts Business

Changing the name of a business organization in Massachusetts can exist done in two ways: by filing for a business certificate name or by submitting an amendment to the legal proper name of an existing business.

The showtime method, filing for a business certificate proper noun (also known as a DBA name), is the easiest way to operate your business using a unlike name without needing to change its legal name.

A DBA name is the only manner for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a different business proper name. Information technology's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow considering it allows them to avoid filing an amendment or complicating their business operations while enabling them to operate with make names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal name.

If you lot want to change the legal name of your LLC or corporation, still, filing an amendment to the legal proper noun of an existing business organisation is your best option. Here are links to forms for both options:

Articles of Amendment for LLCs
Articles of Amendment for Corporations

You may submit a corporation Document of Amendment by mail or online — or an LLC Certificate of Amendment online just — to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. Both require a $100 filing fee.

Ofttimes Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a business in Massachusetts?

The cost of starting a business organization in Massachusetts varies, depending on the business structure. Forming an LLC costs $500 while starting a corporation costs $275 with boosted annual fees.

Is a business license required in Massachusetts?

While the state doesn't require a general business license, Massachusetts counties or cities may require you to obtain their own licensing to operate your business.

How do I become a business license in Massachusetts?

You can determine the advisable business licensing for your company past reviewing the Massachusetts Professional Licenses & Permits webpage.

How practice I get a tax ID in Massachusetts?

Y'all volition receive your country tax ID upon registering your business with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For more information on registering your new business, utilise the land's new business registration webpage.

Source: https://howtostartanllc.com/how-to-register-business-name/register-business-name-massachusetts

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