When you register a business name, you’re making your venture official—locking in your chosen name and ensuring no one else can claim it. Many states require you to register your business name if you’re using something other than your own name to do business. Registering your business name also lets you use it for marketing, contracts, and to open a business bank account.

The cost of registering a business name varies depending on where you’re located, what type of business structure you’re operating, and any additional registration steps you might want to take such as registering a trademark or securing a domain name. Below, we’ll explain the different costs involved in registering a business name: how they vary by state and by business type and how you can mitigate them.

What’s in this article?

• Why should you register your business name?
  
• How much does it cost to register a business name?
  
• Costs of registering a business name by location
  
• Factors that affect the cost of registering a business name
  
• Can you register a business name for free?
  
• How to save money when registering a business name
  

Why should you register your business name?

Registering your business name is an important step in starting a business. Here’s why it’s worth your time:

• Legal protection: Registering your business name ensures that no one else can legally use it. This protects your brand from potential copycats and offers you peace of mind.

• Credibility: A registered business name signals to customers, partners, and investors that you’ve taken the extra steps to establish yourself as a legitimate player in your industry.

• Financial opportunities: A registered name is often required for business activities such as opening a business bank account, applying for loans, and securing contracts. It also makes it easier to establish business credit.

• Secure online presence: With a registered business name, you can claim your domain name and social media handles without worrying about name conflicts.

• Compliance with local regulations: Many states require you to register your business name if your company operates under anything other than your legal name. Registering your name helps you avoid fines and penalties.

How much does it cost to register a business name?

The cost of registering a business name varies based on a few factors. In the United States, business name registration fees typically range from $10–$150, depending on your state and the type of registration you need. Here’s a rundown of the costs associated with different types of business registrations:

• “Doing business as” (DBA): Registering a DBA (also known as a fictitious name in some states) usually costs between $10–$100 based on the state or county. This is for businesses that operate under a name other than the owner’s legal name.

• Limited liability company (LLC): Registering an LLC, including the name, can cost anywhere from $50–$500, depending on the state.

• Corporation: Incorporating your business, including the name, can cost between $100–$500, based on the state.

Costs of registering a business name by location

Your location is one of the biggest factors that impacts how much it will cost to register your business name. Here’s a closer look at the costs in different states.

DBA registration fees

If you’re a sole proprietor or partnership and plan to operate under a name that’s different from your own or the legal name of your partnership, you’ll need to register a DBA. Here’s what that costs in different states:

• California: DBA fees typically range from $40–$60 but can be higher or lower. You might also need to pay an additional fee to publish your DBA in a local newspaper, which can cost anywhere from $40–$100, depending on the publication.

• Texas: DBA fees range from $15–$25, depending on the county.

• Florida: The state fee for filing a DBA is $50.

• New York: DBA fees range from $25–$100. In New York City, the fee is often higher.

In some states, you’ll also need to renew your registration every few years. For example, in California, you must renew every five years, which can incur additional fees.

LLC registration fees

If you’re forming an LLC, you’ll register the business name when you file articles of incorporation and officially form your business entity. Here’s what that costs in different states:

• California: Registering an LLC online costs $70, plus a $20 fee to file a Statement of Information, which is due 90 days after registration and then every two years.

• Texas: Registering an LLC costs $300, plus potential franchise taxes.

• Florida: Registering an LLC costs $125, plus a $138.75 annual report fee.

• New York: Registering an LLC costs $200, plus the cost of a publication requirement that can vary widely by outlet.

• Illinois: Registering an LLC costs $150, plus a $75 annual report fee.

• Colorado: Registering an LLC costs $50, plus an annual report fee.

Corporation registration fees

Incorporating a business (such as a C corporation or an S corporation) typically comes with higher up-front costs than with forming an LLC. Here’s what incorporation costs in different states:

• California: Incorporating a business costs $100, plus an annual $25 Statement of Information filing fee.

• Texas: Incorporating a for-profit corporation costs $300. Franchise taxes apply annually, depending on revenue.

• New York: Incorporating a business costs $125, plus the cost of the mandatory publication requirement.

Factors that affect the cost of registering a business name

There are a few factors that impact how much it costs to register your business name. Here’s what typically determines your cost:

• Location: Costs vary depending on the state. For example, filing fees in California are higher than in Colorado or Florida.

• Business structure: Registering a DBA is usually the cheapest option. Forming an LLC or corporation costs more due to additional filing requirements and liability protections.

• Name protection level: Protecting your business name locally (within your state) often costs less. If you’re filing for a trademark to protect your business name on a national level, the cost starts from $250–$350 for just the application, plus legal fees if you decide to hire an attorney.

• Domain name registration: If you want to secure your business’s online presence, buying a domain name can cost anywhere from $10–$50 or more per year, based on the domain extension (.com, .net, etc.). Premium domain names can cost much more.

• Renewal fees: If your business name needs to be renewed every few years (which some states require), this can add to your overall costs. Businesses such as LLCs and corporations might also have annual or biennial report filing fees to keep the registration active.

Can you register a business name for free?

In most cases, registering a business name will incur a fee. But there are a few rare situations when you might not need to pay:

• If you’re a sole proprietor and plan to use your own name as your business name (e.g., “John Doe Consulting”), you usually won’t need to register it or pay a fee. (If you want to operate under a different name, you’ll likely need to register a DBA, which carries a small fee.)

• If your company is a nonprofit, you might be able to take advantage of reduced or waived registration fees. Check with your state to see if your nonprofit qualifies for a fee waiver.

How to save money when registering a business name

There are almost always certain fees associated with registering a business name. But there are ways to keep these costs down. Here are a few tips for making the process more affordable:

• Register online: Many states charge less for online filings than for in-person or mail submissions.

• Do it yourself: If your business structure is straightforward, you might not need to hire a lawyer or a business formation service to handle the registration. Completing the forms yourself can save you the extra service fees.

• Bundle services: Some companies have bundled services that include business name registration, LLC formation, and domain name registration at a discounted rate. If you need multiple services, bundling them can reduce overall costs.

• Choose the right business structure: If you don’t need the complexity of an LLC or corporation, registering a DBA is usually less expensive. You can change your business structure as you expand.

• Look for state-specific incentives: Some states offer discounts or waive fees for new businesses as part of economic development initiatives. Check the website of the secretary of state’s office or local business development offices for any incentives.

• Renew early: If your state requires annual or biennial renewals, renewing on time (or early) can help you avoid late fees, which can sometimes double the cost of your renewal.