How to register a name for your foreign business in California?

Step 1

Name availability check. When determining name availability, names are checked only against names of like entities registered with the California Secretary of State. A name can be reserved for 60 days.

Step 2

Name registration for foreign company. If a name is available for registration, businesses can register the corporate name with the Secretary of State by filing form Foreign Name Registration to protect it for further use. The registration is effective until the close of the calendar year in which the application for registration is filed.

Step 3

Renew the name for your foreign business in California. A corporation may renew its name registration by filing a new form between October 1 and December 31 of each year. The renewal, when filed, extends the registration for the following calendar year.

Step 4

Obtain a certificate by an authorized public official of the state or place of incorporation. To the effect that the corporation is an existing corporation in good standing in that state or place, must be attached to the Registration of Corporate Name by Foreign Corporation form by the time of filing with the California Secretary of State.