How Do You Buy A Business Name May 2026

Contact the owner directly and offer to buy the rights to the name, ensuring the transfer is documented with the Secretary of State.

If using a trade name, file a DBA with your local county clerk or state agency. how do you buy a business name

If you form an LLC or corporation, the name is secured through the state upon formation. Contact the owner directly and offer to buy

Register the name by filing Articles of Organization (LLC) or Incorporation (Corporation) with your state’s Secretary of State. Register the name by filing Articles of Organization

If you are a sole proprietor or need to operate under a name different from your legal entity name, you file a "fictitious name" or DBA with the state, county, or municipality.

Check the Secretary of State website in your state, the USPTO database for federal trademarks, and available domain names/social media handles.

Here is a report on how to purchase or secure a business name in the US as of 2026. 1. Identify Your Legal Naming Strategy