Similar to another business name on record in that state

[jakariabd@]

It’s also important to make sure your business name doesn't infringe on any existing or pending trademarks. Do this by checking the USPTO website. You also have the option of registering a ‘Doing Business As’ or DBA, which legally gives you the right to do business under a fictitious name.

As you can see, things can get complicated with business name registration. We’ve simplified things with the upcoming RelateLegal, part of our small business toolkit. It makes this step as easy as choosing a domain for your website in a search box, and will also do the heavy lifting on your registration paperwork.

If you’re worried that your business name will get snapped up overseas data while you’re waiting to get your Articles of Incorporation filed, check with your state’s corporation office — some allow you to reserve the name while your paperwork is pending.

The same applies to corporations as LLCs — a registered agent is the requirement in most states. You’ll need to appoint an individual or company that agrees to accept legal documents on your behalf. Also called a ‘resident agent’ or ‘statutory agent’), each state has their own specific rules.

At a minimum, the registered agent must have a physical street address in the state where your LLC is registered. One of the LLC members can act as registered agent for the LLC, but most businesses use a professional service for this. Or with the RelateLegal tool, you can get everything you need including your registered agent, in one package.