Register trade names

There are a few things to consider:

Is anyone else using the name? If so, could there be confusion in the marketplace, or could you be infringing on their legal name, trademark, or service mark?
Learn the difference between a “Legal Entity Name” (Article 3 RCW 23.95), “trade name,” a name used in the course of business, and a “trademark,” an exclusive right to use a name.
If your business is a corporation or limited liability entity, the name must indicate the type of entity (such as Corp., Inc., LLC, etc.).

Legal Entity names become record when you file a legal entity such as an LLC or Corporation. You can register a trade name when you complete your Washington Business License Application, at a cost of $5 per name. If you also want to trademark a name, you may want to consult an intellectual property attorney. If your business activities will extend beyond Washington State, file for a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. If your business activities will stay within Washington, file for a trademark with the Secretary of State.

Find out if the name is available:

Our business lookup: General license
Secretary of State Corporations Registration Data Search: Corporation and limited liability company names.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Commission: Search for federally registered names.

Register a trade name:

File a Business License Application online with My DOR.
- Learn how to register a trade name.
Pay the $5 fee for each trade name registered and the $19 Business License Application processing fee (non-refundable).