Registering a Business Name in 52 States

[Tredepth]

Can one register a buisness name in the USA and that registration cover all 52 States or must one do them all separately?

On top of that can it be done online?

 

[Zigner]

You don't need to make a new thread for your questions. Keep them all in the same thread.

(There are only 50 states in the U.S.)

 

[Tredepth]

Oh did not know that, Thanks for letting me know Zigner. So what do I do with this one should I leave it or add it to my earlier question which I asked?

 

[FlyingRon]

What makes you think there's an obligation to register a business in any state? What sort of business are you envisioning? Where is this business located and is it going to operate in foreign states?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

You only need to register in a state if you have a nexus in the state.

Simply shipping to a state does not generally create a nexus.

 

[Tredepth]

What makes you think there's an obligation to register a business in any state? What sort of business are you envisioning? Where is this business located and is it going to operate in foreign states?

Was looking online and realised that each state had a sligh change to their rules and prices for registration, so I was a bit confused and thinking that if I was to register in Miami then it would not cover me in Chicago. Business is going to be a Clothing Business and possibly registered and located in NYC.

 

[Tredepth]

You only need to register in a state if you have a nexus in the state.

Simply shipping to a state does not generally create a nexus.

Nexus??? Please expand on this word and what it means in the context to which you are referring, thank you.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Nexus simply means a connection. Simply shipping to a state does not create a nexus to that state. If you are going to be based in NY then you would certainly have a nexus there. If you hire a salesman in Chicago you have a nexus in IL. If you ship to Arkansas you have NO nexus in Arkansas.

 

[Tredepth]

Nexus simply means a connection. Simply shipping to a state does not create a nexus to that state. If you are going to be based in NY then you would certainly have a nexus there. If you hire a salesman in Chicago you have a nexus in IL. If you ship to Arkansas you have NO nexus in Arkansas.

Ok so technically with the salesman situation I would have to register over there in IL also then, but not in the case of Arkansas where I would just be shipping to that state.

 

[quincy]

Can one register a buisness name in the USA and that registration cover all 52 States or must one do them all separately?

On top of that can it be done online?

You only need to register your company in one state but you may need registered agents in the states where you do business.

Requirements vary by state so you will want to research the pros and cons of the states you are considering.

What sort of business structure have you formed or intend to form?

Your best course of action is to sit down with a business law professional.

 

[Tredepth]

You only need to register your company in one state but you may need registered agents in the states where you do business.

Requirements vary by state so you will want to research the pros and cons of the states you are considering.

What sort of business structure have you formed or intend to form?

Your best course of action is to sit down with a business law professional.

Hmmmmmm I see, thinking it may be a Partnership, but I was wondering if we should not do an LLC instead since in some reading I was doing it says that it separates us and the company and makes it an entity of it's own.

 

[quincy]

Hmmmmmm I see, thinking it may be a Partnership, but I was wondering if we should not do an LLC instead since in some reading I was doing it says that it separates us and the company and makes it an entity of it's own.

You will want to discuss this with a business law/tax professional in your area. An LLC can be best for some businesses. Others might find advantages to a C-Corp.

There is a lot to do to establish your business in the U.S., including choosing a state, getting licensed, getting an employer identification number (EIN), opening a bank account, taxes ...

You will no doubt find that the choosing and registering of your trademark is the easy part.

By the way, it is preferred on this forum that all related questions are kept to a single thread instead of having several threads. Background information can help us help a poster better.

I can link to your other two threads but try to keep all additional questions to this thread. Thanks.

 

[Taxing Matters]

You only need to register your company in one state but you may need registered agents in the states where you do business.

That's not quite correct. The company organizes in only one state. But in each state where it conducts business (e.g. has an office, has employees, etc) it will generallly need to register as a foreign business entity (foreign in this case meaning any entity organized in any jurisdiction outside that state). Thus, for example, Amy might organize her Better Lemons LLC in Florida to conduct her lemon sales business. She manages her business in Florida. After a year or so, she opens another office in California to handle west coast sales and hires an employee to work in that California office. She will be required to register her LLC in California as a foreign LLC. As part of that process she will have to designate registered agents, but registering as a foreign LLC is something distinctly different than just picking a registered agent.

 

[quincy]

Here are the links to your other threads, Tredepth, for reference purposes:

https://forum.freeadvice.com/threads/are-there-any-restrictions-in-doing-this.650575

https://forum.freeadvice.com/threads/can-i-trademark-from-another-country.650648

You never mentioned in what country you reside. Where do you live?

 

[Taxing Matters]

Here are the links to your other threads, Tredepth, for reference purposes:
You never mentioned in what country you reside. Where do you live?

An important question since how the OP organizes in the U.S. should take into account how this business will be regarded in his/her home country. For example, tax considerations in the home country may influence the choice of entity he or she wishes to use.