Business Names

February 2, 2004 11:55 AM

Can a business have two names? [more inside / warning: bureaucratic question]

I've spent the last couple hours pouring over New York State web sites, and I've got nothing to show for it.

I've got a business (New York State LLC) doing web stuff (let's call it "foo"), I also have a side business doing specifically web games ("bar", natch).

I don't really want to form an entirely new LLC, I just want to be able to get checks, have contracts, etc, under the name "bar" and "foo".

Can anyone tell me if this is possible? And if so, can anyone give me some pointers in finding the right form to do it in the New York State web maze?

Thx!

posted by malphigian to law & government (4 comments total)

Wouldn't that be the same as a DBA?

I found relevant info for the Buffalo area, so I imagine there would be something local to you as well.
posted by grabbingsand at 12:02 PM on February 2, 2004

Short form:

"Individuals and unincorporated entities that regularly conduct business using an assumed name (often referred to as a "d.b.a.") must file an assumed name certificate with the county clerk in each county in which business premises are maintained. If corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships (entities created by filing with the secretary of state) do business with a name that is different than the name set forth in the organizational documents, they must file assumed name certificates in the county or counties where the registered office and the principal office are located, and must also file with the secretary of state." [1]

So I'd add your county to the list of search strings you put in Google (probably along with "fictitious name doing business as") to find your appropriate county filing information.
posted by bclark at 12:07 PM on February 2, 2004

This is what you are looking for.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 3:47 PM on February 2, 2004

Woo! Thank you monju_bosatsu!
posted by malphigian at 4:36 PM on February 2, 2004