I want to name my new small business with an Inc. at the end of it, is this only for corporations

Question: I am starting a new dance studio, and want to call it Dance, Inc.  A friend says I can’t call it “Inc.” unless it is a corporation.  What does the law say?

Response: Some people confuse choosing a business name with choosing a type of ownership or "LLC" onto the end of your business name and start calling yourself a corporation or LLC.  First you must form a corporation or LLC, and to do so you've got to follow certain filing procedures to register the new type of company with your state. 

You should complete a name search (generally done easily online) with your state Secretary of State's office and/or with the County Clerk to determine if the name you would like to use is on the list of assumed or fictitious business names already on record.  If you are to remain an unincorporated business, research the laws and regulations of your state and locality to determine if you will need to register the business name. If so, then complete the registration.  For additional information, consult with an attorney experienced in small business law.

Answered by Jan Hill

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