How Do I Register A Business Name In Illinois

Step ane: Choose a Business Structure

Recommended: We typically recommend forming an LLC for most entrepreneurs because this construction comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty like shooting fish in a barrel to maintain.

If y'all would like to use a service, read our guide on the best LLC formation services.

Sole Proprietorships and Full general Partnerships

Past default, sole proprietorships operate as the same name as the owner while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

To utilise a different name to conduct business, the business owner(southward) must file for an Illinois causeless proper noun — also commonly referred to as a doing business every bit (DBA) name.

Step 2: Cheque Name Availability

When registering a business concern name, information technology'southward important to make sure it'south unique and no one else in your state formed a company with it or has command of it online as a domain proper noun.

Domain Proper noun Search

Nosotros strongly recommend that yous also bank check to run into if your business proper name is available equally a web domain (URL). Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, y'all may want to buy the web address to forestall others from acquiring that domain name. If the web domain is bachelor then it'south likely the name will also be available in a business search.

Notice a Domain Now

Illinois Business Name Search

Next, search the Illinois corporation and LLC database tool. This is an important stride in the process considering your filing will be denied if you endeavour to file for a name already in use.

Search requirements tin can vary depending on your business needs. For case, a unique and bachelor name is required to:

File for formal business structures like LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA name for any business construction.

A state-level proper noun search isn't required for informal business concern structures like sole proprietorships or full general partnerships in Illinois. Just, if you decide to register an assumed name or DBA proper noun, yous'll need to search the database to encounter if your desired proper noun is unique and available.

Step iii: Form Your Business With the State of Illinois

Once yous have selected your concern structure and name, you volition need to file your formation documents with the state, which will register your business with the state of Illinois.

To register your Illinois LLC, you lot'll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State. You can apply online or past mail service. Read our Form an LLC in Illinois guide for details.

Or use a professional service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to class your LLC for you.

To register your Illinois corporation, yous'll demand to file the Articles of Incorporation with the Illinois Secretary of State. Read our Grade an Illinois Corporation guide to acquire more.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Business concern Proper noun With a Trademark (Optional)

Once you confirm the availability of your business name and secure information technology, you can choose to utilize for a trademark for your business. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus whatever attorney fees as well equally a renewal fee every 10 years.

While this cost can be loftier for a offset-upwardly or fledgling business, it will give your company make nationwide protection backed by federal law. That means if others endeavour to do business concern with the same — or a similar — name as yours, you'll have legal precedent on your side. For most small-scale businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Change the Name of an Illinois Business

Irresolute the name of a business in Illinois can be done in two means: past filing for an assumed name or past submitting an subpoena to the legal name of an existing business.

The first method, filing for an assumed proper name (besides known every bit a DBA proper name), is the easiest way to operate your business organisation using a different proper noun without needing to alter its legal name.

A DBA name is the simply way for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a different business concern name. It's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because it allows them to avoid filing an subpoena or complicating their business operations while enabling them to operate with make names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal name.

If you lot want to alter the legal name of your LLC or corporation, withal, filing an amendment to the legal name of an existing business organisation is your best pick. Hither are links to forms for both options:

Articles of Amendment for LLCs
Articles of Amendment for corporations

You may submit both LLC filings and corporation filings online with a $50 filing fee or by post to the Illinois Secretarial assistant of Country.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pay my Illinois country tax?

You can pay your Illinois state tax electronically via the MyTax Illinois website likewise as in person or by mail.

How much does information technology cost to start an LLC in Illinois?

FIling Manufactures of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of Land costs $150.

Do you need a business organisation license in Illinois?

The land of Illinois doesn't require a general business license. But, you volition need a Certificate of Registration, a license, or a business organization dominance from the Illinois Section of Revenue to conduct business in Illinois.

How practise I get a tax ID in Illinois?

One time you lot receive your Employer Identification Number (EIN), y'all can annals for a state tax ID with the Illinois Department of Revenue. You tin can obtain a tax ID in Illinois online, past mail, or in person.