File an Assumed Name in your County.

Choose your business name. Your business name should be checked before filing, you don't want to be using someone elses assumed name or you will end up in court with a law suite. After confirming that no one is using it for business, file it in your county "Records & Filing" office.

So what happens if I don't file but still use it for business? Well, you run the risk of someone else filing it and you loosing the business name. Because of legal issues, you can not claim it as yours even though you opened for business before them. When you file an Assumed Name it is protected for 10 years from someone else using it without your written permission in the county recorded. Make sure you file in multiple counties if you know in advance that your business will be offering services to a variety of locations. Another reason is that you need this form to open a business account with any bank. This will allow you to deposit checks with your business name and enroll with merchant services which allows you to accept debit and credit cards.

If your business name is already filed. Remember that you can reword your business name if someone else is using the one you want. For example if you want to use, "Juanita's Flower Shop" but someone else has filed it already. Then, reword it like this, "Juanita's Flowers" or "J's Flower Shop" or "Juanita's Flower Arrangements."

What form do I fill? It's called a "Certificate of Assumed Name." You can pick one up at the County Clerk's Office or any of our BizTax offices will provide you with one. The form needs to be notarized before filing. We can fill out the form for you and notarize it for a minimal charge.

Where can I file my assumed name?