Business Name Information

Assumed Business Name Certificate, Fictitious Business Name Statement, or Business License

Illinois

The Illinois Assumed Name Act requires businesses to register with their local county clerk's office when the business name is different from the owner's full legal name. This Act does not apply to any corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership. Those entity types must file with the State for an assumed name.

California

A Fictitious Business Name Statement must be registered with the county clerk of the county of the owner's principal place of business if the business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation doing business under a name not containing the owner's surname, such as Smith Accounting Service. Other entity types must file with the State for an assumed name.