Trade Name Registration
Includes Secretary of State filing fees!
Overview
A trade name registration is an official and public way to register a business name with the State of Wyoming. A trade name is also referred to as an assumed name, fictitious business name or DBA (Doing Business As).
Why a trade name is important
Trade names allow sole proprietorships and general partnerships to conduct business under a name other than the owner’s or owners’ personal name(s). For corporations, S corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and nonprofit corporations. Filing a DBA allows you to transact business using a name other than the official company name that is included in the incorporation documents of your corporation, LLC, LP, LLP, or non-profit organization.
Once the trade name registration is approved, the business can use the name as its official business name and...
- Open a business bank account
- Create stationery or business cards
- Develop advertisements and/or list the company in directories
- Undertake transactions on behalf of the company
Common reasons for registering a trade name
There are a number of reasons why business owners choose to file a trade name, and these reasons may vary by business type. Common reasons include...
- To transact business under a name other than the official name of the company or the sole proprietorship. A trade name allows a sole proprietor, corporation or LLC to name the business something other than the legal name, which in the case of a sole proprietor is the name of the individual.
- New name for new business activity. Often a trade name is used when a company wishes to enter a new line of business or to market a new product or service.
- Domain name as trade name. A trade name can be filed in order for a company to transact business under the company’s domain name.
- Public notification. Registering a trade name notifies other businesses that the name is in use, as the trade name becomes part of the public record.
Key benefits of a trade name
There are no limits to the number of trade names a business can register. Having multiple trade names can allow your company to effectively run separate businesses under one legal entity, as long as you stay within any limits posed by your business purpose (if incorporated).
A trade name, AKA DBA (Doing Business As), assumed name, or fictitious business name allows you or your company to do business under a different name. There are many reasons why business owners file a trade name, and they vary by business type. What motivates a sole proprietor to opt for a trade name, for example, is different from what motivates a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). Here are some of the most popular reasons for registering a trade name.
When to register a trade name
- You want to use a business name and not your personal name. As a sole proprietor, your name and your business name are legally the same. For example, if you are John Smith and you have a consulting business, the name of your business is John Smith. The same is true for general partnerships. The business name is the same as the partners’ names. Registering a trade name allows you to transact business under the trade name instead of your personal name.
- Your bank requires a trade name to open a business bank account. For a sole proprietor or the partners in a general partnership to open a business bank account, banks typically require a trade name.
- A prospective client requires a trade name to award you a job. Some clients may require you to have a trade name in order to contract with you. If you’re a freelance graphic designer, for example, you bid to do work for a local corporation. You may be required to have a trade name.
- Your company is entering a new business area not reflected by your current name. As a corporation or LLC, you may eventually expand to a new area not represented by your current business name. Having a more descriptive name could be beneficial. For example, suppose you have a website design business, Web Design Services Inc., and plan to offer graphic design services. You could file a trade name for Graphic Design Specialists for that portion of your business.
- Your company operates another business or website. You may have another business or website that you’d like to operate in addition to your existing one. Imagine that your LLC makes and sells baby clothes. You also produce clothes for tweens and teens. Knowing they would never purchase from the same company or website as their moms shop for their baby brother's rompers, you file a trade name and create a separate website specifically targeting this audience.
Some things to keep in mind
Registering a trade name does not provide personal asset protection to the owner(s). Incorporating a company is necessary to protect personal assets from the debts and liabilities of a business.
FAQ
- What is a trade name?
A trade name registration is an official and public registration of a business name with the Secretary of State. A trade name is also called an assumed name, DBA (Doing Business As) or fictitious business name. You may register for a trade name as an individual or as an entity.
- Can I register a trade name if my company is not incorporated?
Yes. Many sole proprietorships and general partnerships register trade names. In fact, in order to open a business bank account, most banks will require sole proprietorships or general partnerships to have a trade name. Because the owners of sole proprietorships and general partnerships are legally considered the same as the business, without a trade name you must transact business using your personal name.
- When does a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) file a trade name?
File a trade name registration if your corporation or limited liability company (LLC) or nonprofit corporation intends to do business under a name other than the legal name that appears on its state-approved incorporation documents or foreign qualification documents. The corporation or LLC must file the trade name with the appropriate state agency in the state in which the company is formed or foreign qualified.
- Why should I register a trade name?
The reasons for register a trade name often vary by your business type. Common reasons include...
- To transact business under a name other than your personal name (sole proprietorships and general partnerships)
- To open a business bank account (sole proprietorships and general partnerships)
- To transact business under a name that is different from your company name in your state-approved incorporation or foreign qualification documents (corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships) or in addition to your official company name, for example, under your domain name or the name of a specific product or service (corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs)
- The registered trade name also becomes part of the public record, giving other businesses official notice that this name is in use in the state and/or county where the trade name was filed.
- Is trade name registration mandatory?
An individual or company will be required, in most jurisdictions, to register a trade name if they choose to transact business under a name different from the name used on the company’s incorporation documents. The trade name should be registered before you begin transacting business with that business name. The trade name must have been in use by the company prior to filing.
- Where should I file my trade name?
Trade names are typically filed in the state and/or county where the principal business address or street address of the business is located. If you are incorporated in a state other than the state where your business is located, you typically need to register the trade name in your state of incorporation.
- Are there any words that are prohibited in a trade name or fictitious business name?
There are some restrictions: you cannot use words that may mislead the general public into believing the company is something other than what is being portrayed by the trade name. For example, you may not use corporate name endings such as "Inc.," "Incorporated" or "Corp." if the company is not officially formed as a corporation. Also, you may not use "Limited Liability Company" or "LLC" if the company is not officially formed as an LLC.
- How many trade names can I register?
There are no state restrictions as to the number of trade names (DBA, ficticious business name, assumed name) you may file.
- Can someone else use my trade name?
Registering a trade name typically does not reserve the name against future use by another party. In most cases, registration of a trade name or fictitious business name is for public notice only and should not be presumed that the registrant’s rights to own or use the name are protected. In order to protect your business name, you should consider registering a trademark.
- Do trade name registrations expire?
Trade name registration in Wyoming is valid for ten years. Before your registration expires, the Wyoming Secretary of State will notify you at the address you have on record and you will need to re-file the trade name. Maintaining a current business address with the Wyoming Secretary of State is very important.
Use of the Wyoming address and mail forwarding service guarantees that Registerred Agents of Wyoming LLC will contact you about re-filing your trade name in a timely fashion.
- How do I get started with the filing process?
By placing your order with Registered Agents of Wyoming LLC, we undertake the entire process for you.
Includes
- Preliminary Wyoming Trade Name check
- Preparation and filing of documents
- Shipping completed documents to you
Additional options
Consider adding these options when ordering:
-
Wyoming Address & Mail Forwarding Service
- Keep your personal information off of public record.
- Build business nexus with your entity’s home state.
- Includes weekly mail forwarding to any US postal address and $30 annual postage allowance.
What information is required when placing my order?
To complete your order, please provide:
- Trade name to be registered
- Applicant name
- Business address of applicant
- Mailing address of the trade name
- Owner type (Individual, Corporation, General Partnership, Limited Partnership, Statutory Trust, Unincorporated Association, Other)
- If applicant is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or statutory trust, list the state of incorporation or organization.
- If a limited partnership, general partnership, or statutory trust, list names and addresses of Partners, General Partners, or Trustees
- General nature of the business
- Date of first use in Wyoming
To select additional options, please provide:
- Wyoming Address & Mail Forwarding Service *
- Forwarding address (US postal address only)
Note:
* If you wish to have both a physical and mailing address in Wyoming and have your business mail received and forwarded on a weekly basis, you must sign up for our Wyoming Address & Mail Forwarding Service and provide a US postal address for mail delivery. If you do not elect to have the Wyoming Address & Mail Forwarding Service, the billing address provided at checkout will be used for both the principal and mailing addresses on the Secretary of State Public Record.
Got questions?
Email us at agents@mywyomingllc.com
Or, call toll free today (877) 239-2608