To register a business in Alabama, select a unique legal name. Adhere to regulations for suffixes. LLC and corporation names have requirements. Complete a name reservation. Register with the Secretary of State online or by mail. File articles of organization for an LLC. Search business name availability on the Secretary of State website. File registration documents.
Costs and Fees:
- LLC: $200
- Corporation: $236
- DBA: $30
How to Register a DBA:
- Choose a business structure
- Select your DBA
- File DBA registration
Alabama LLCs and corporations must complete and file a Certificate of Name Reservation prior to filing for formation with the state. To use a different name to conduct business, file for an Alabama trade name—also known as a doing business as (DBA) name.
Sole proprietorship initial registration varies based on the type of sole proprietor business you are setting up and does not require registration with the Alabama Secretary of State.
The costs noted above are the total fees you must pay but do not include optional fees offered by the Alabama Secretary of State. Create a business bank account.
Steps to Registering a Business Name in Alabama:
- Check for Business Name Availability
- Choose a Business Structure
- Download the Application to Register or Renew Trademark, Service Mark, or Trade Name form
Your Alabama trade name can be registered with the Secretary of State either online or through the mail.
Alabama business name reservation cost: $28.
Alabama Registered Agent Fee: $0 or $125/year.
In Alabama, registering a DBA/Trade Name is not required but provides several benefits. Initial Application for Registration of a Trademark or Service Mark costs $30.
The minimum starting cost to form an LLC in Alabama is $225, including the $25 fee to reserve your LLC name and the $200 fee to file the Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State. Registration alerts others the name is in use in Alabama.
You can reserve a business name by submitting a Name Reservation Filing with a $25 filing fee. If you’re not ready to register your LLC, you can file the Reservation of a Business Entity Name (Form SCC631) at the cost of $10, which holds the name for up to 120 days.