Practice Areas

Blog

News

Library

Forming Your New Business

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name, also known as a fictitious or assumed name, is any name used in the course of business that does not include the actual legal names of all the owners of the business. Thus, if your business goes by any name other than your own real name, it is operating under a trade name. The same is true of a corporation, if it operates under a name other than its legal name. A trade name might also be one that suggests the existence of additional owners, by using such words as "company," "associates," or "group."

In most states where you do business, it will be necessary to register a trade, fictitious, or assumed name, so that people who do business with you can find out who the actual owners of your business are. You may also want to register any such trade name, as a means of protecting against other companies usurping that particular trade name.

In Maryland, you must register your trade name, if any, with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Trade Name Search and Registration. The registration fee, which covers a five-year registration period, is $25.

The Kramer Law Firm LLC
2275 Research Blvd
Suite 500
Rockville, MD 20850

Maryland Small Business Lawyers
Rockville | Bethesda | Gaithersburg | Germantown | Potomac
Washington, DC

FAQ

The Kramer Law Firm LLC represents small business clients throughout Washington, D.C. and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, including the communities of Bethesda, Bowie, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Laurel, Potomac, Rockville and Silver Spring and all of the surrounding areas.

TERMS OF USE

The information provided in The Kramer Law Firm web site is offered purely for informational purposes. It is not intended to create or promote an attorney-client relationship, and does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal advice. We intend to make every attempt to keep this information current. We do not promise or guarantee, however, that the information is correct, complete or up-to-date, and online readers should not act based upon this information without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted to practice in your jurisdiction.

Transmission of information from The Kramer Law Firm web site is not intended to create, and its receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship with The Kramer Law Firm or any of its individual attorneys or personnel. If you elect to communicate with the firm through this web site, do not transmit any information about any matter (and particularly not any confidential information) that may involve you until The Kramer Law Firm LLC has agreed to represent you, and you have received confirmation of that fact in the form of a written engagement letter executed by a member of the Firm.