Each path has its own government filing fee, and state and county rules swing those fees widely. On top of that, optional costs like name searches, newspaper publication, registered-agent services, domain registration, and legal review can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your total.
This guide breaks down 2026 pricing ranges, the cost components most people forget, and state-specific variables worth checking before you file. All fees mentioned here should be confirmed directly with the relevant state agency, county clerk, or the USPTO before you submit anything, since government fee schedules change without much notice.
Key Takeaways
- DBA filings are typically the cheapest registration route; LLC and corporation formation cost more upfront and ongoing
- No single nationwide price exists: state, county, entity type, filing speed, and renewal rules all affect the total
- State-level name filings don't create nationwide trademark rights or guarantee the name is legally available
- Smart budgets include recurring costs: annual reports, registered-agent fees, licenses, and franchise taxes
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business Name in the US?
Before comparing prices, it helps to separate three distinct filings that people often lump together:
- Legal entity name: registered when you form an LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State
- DBA/assumed name: a trade name filed separately so a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, or corporation can operate publicly under a different name
- Federal trademark: a USPTO registration that protects a brand name nationwide, independent of any state filing
These serve different legal purposes, and paying for one doesn't cover the others.
2026 Fee Ranges by Filing Type
| Filing Type | Typical Government Fee | Example |
|---|---|---|
| DBA / fictitious name | $20–$50 base fee | Colorado $20; Los Angeles County $26; Florida $50 |
| LLC formation | $50–$500 | Colorado $50; California $70; Texas $300; Massachusetts $500 |
| Corporation formation | $50–$300 | Colorado $50; California $100; Texas $300 |
| Federal trademark (per class) | $350 base | Plus surcharges for incomplete applications or non-standard descriptions |
The electronic base application fee for a federal trademark is $350 per class of goods or services, according to the USPTO's fee schedule. Note that TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard options were discontinued in January 2025, so this single base fee (plus any surcharges) is what applies now.
Three Practical Budget Profiles
Rather than quoting one universal number, here's how costs typically break down by scenario:
- Basic name-only or DBA setup: state or county DBA filing plus any mandatory publication charge. Expect roughly $20–$150 depending on jurisdiction and whether newspaper publication is required.
- Standard LLC or corporation setup: formation filing, required initial report, and basic registered-agent costs. First-year totals commonly land between $150 and $800, though states with high franchise taxes (like California's $800 minimum) push this much higher.
- Expanded brand-protection setup: entity or DBA filing plus trademark clearance search, federal trademark filing, domain registration, and professional review. This typically runs $800 to $3,000+, driven mostly by attorney involvement and the number of trademark classes filed.
Each profile excludes industry-specific licenses, which vary too much by business type to estimate generically.
An EIN from the IRS costs $0 when applied for directly through the IRS website, according to IRS guidance. It's not a business-name registration fee, and if a third party charges you for "EIN processing," that's a service fee, not a government cost.
Key Factors and Full Cost Breakdown
The filing fee is just one line item. Your final cost depends on legal structure, location, protection level, and the ongoing compliance your business triggers.
State, County, and Filing-Type Differences
The same business name can cost different amounts depending on whether you file with a Secretary of State, a county clerk, or a city office.
California example: Los Angeles County charges $26 for a fictitious business name filing (plus $5 per additional name or registrant). Newspaper publication is required once weekly for four consecutive weeks, separate from the filing fee itself. LLC formation statewide is $70, plus a $20 initial Statement of Information due within 90 days.
Texas example: Harris County charges $24 for a notarized assumed-name filing (plus $0.50 per additional owner), while the state-level assumed-name certificate for incorporated entities is $25. LLC and corporation formation both cost $300 through the Texas Secretary of State.
These figures are state-specific examples, not a national standard. Your state's fee schedule may look nothing like either of these.
Entity Structure and DBA Requirements
Whether you need a DBA depends on your structure:
- Sole proprietors and partnerships operating under anything other than the owner's legal name usually need a DBA
- LLCs and corporations register their legal entity name during formation, but still need a DBA if they want to operate publicly under a different brand name
Forming an LLC doesn't automatically give you naming flexibility. If your Secretary of State filing says "Smith Consulting LLC" but you want to market as "Bright Path Advisors," that's a separate DBA filing.
US entity formation itself happens through the Secretary of State in your chosen state, with popular formation states including Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and California — each with different fee structures and compliance obligations.
One-Time and Recurring Government Costs
Beyond the base filing, several costs are either mandatory, optional, or triggered by specific circumstances:
- Expedited processing: Texas charges $50 for standard expediting (up to $750 same-day); California charges $350–$750 for faster turnaround
- Name reservations: Texas allows a $40 reservation for 120 days
- Amendments: roughly $30 in California if you need to change your filed name later
- Annual/biennial reports: California LLC statement $20 (biennial) or corporate $25 (annual); Florida $138.75–$150, or $538.75–$550 if late
- Franchise taxes: California $800 minimum annual franchise tax; Texas information report with a $2.65 million no-tax-due threshold for 2026 (Texas Comptroller)
- BOI reporting: beneficial-ownership information reporting to FinCEN for most new entities
Check each cost against your specific state and entity type. Nothing here applies universally.
Additional Protection and Operating Costs
Beyond government fees, several optional costs protect your brand or keep operations compliant:
- Trademark clearance search: roughly $150–$300 for a basic registered-mark search, $300–$600 for comprehensive research including common-law marks
- Trademark attorney: anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on scope
- Registered-agent service: typically $100–$300 annually if you hire a commercial provider
- Domain registration and social handles: modest annual renewal costs, legally separate from any government filing
- Local business licenses or permits: fees vary entirely by activity, city, and county
These are private service fees, not government charges, so shop around before committing.
If your US business also needs ongoing bookkeeping, corporate tax return preparation (Forms 1120, 1120-S, or 1065), payroll filings, or BOI compliance support, VJM Global's US accounting and tax compliance services can handle that recurring side of the business. That said, the actual state business-name registration or federal trademark filing still needs to go through the relevant government agency or a licensed attorney. Accounting support doesn't substitute for legal filing.
Low-Cost vs Higher-Cost Options — What's the Difference and How Should You Estimate the Right Budget?
Picking between a bare-bones DBA and a full brand-protection package comes down to liability exposure, ownership structure, and how much the name itself is worth to you.
| Factor | Basic DBA | Standard LLC/Corp | Brand-Protection Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $20–$150 | $150–$800 | $800–$3,000+ |
| Liability protection | None | Yes | Yes (if paired with entity) |
| Name rights | Local/narrow | State-level entity name | Nationwide (trademark) |
| Best for | Single owner, low risk | Multiple owners, liability concerns | Investor-ready, scaling brands |
Lower-Cost Approach
Using your own legal name as the business name, or filing only a required DBA, keeps costs minimal. The trade-off: a DBA gives no liability separation between you and the business, and your naming rights stay narrow. Someone in another state (or even another county) could use the same name.
Self-filing a straightforward DBA can save on service fees, but double-check forms, deadlines, ownership details, and your specific state's requirements before submitting. A rejected filing often costs more in time than the fee you saved.
Higher-Cost Approach
Forming an LLC or corporation, paying for a registered agent, getting legal advice, and filing a federal trademark make sense when:
- You have multiple owners or outside investors who need clear legal structure
- Liability exposure is real — client contracts, inventory, or employees
- You're planning expansion into other states
- Your brand name carries real commercial value worth protecting
Skimping here can backfire. Rebranding after a trademark dispute, missing an annual report deadline, or facing penalties for an expired DBA often costs far more than doing it right the first time.
A Practical Budgeting Method
Before estimating your total cost, identify:
- Your state and county of operation
- Your business structure (sole prop, LLC, corporation)
- The public-facing name you'll actually use
- Your desired protection level (local, state, or nationwide)
- Whether you'll self-file or use a service/attorney
- Where you expect to operate — one state or several
Then build your budget as: mandatory government filings + optional professional help + name-protection costs + local licenses/permits + first-year recurring compliance.
Add a clearly labeled contingency line for unpredictable items: publication requirements, expedited processing, or an amended filing if something gets rejected. Don't guess a percentage; just list what's uncertain and estimate it separately.
What Most People Miss When It Comes to the Cost of Registering a Business Name
Most underbudgeting happens because people stop at the initial filing fee and forget everything that follows.
- Recurring costs compound fast. Annual reports, registered-agent renewals, local licenses, and franchise taxes (like California's $800 minimum) can dwarf your original filing fee within the first year.
- A name search isn't a trademark clearance. State approval only means no identical filing in that state. Check the USPTO trademark database for federal conflicts, and involve counsel if the name matters commercially.
- Cheapest isn't always right. A $20 DBA won't cut it if you need liability protection, have multiple owners, plan to raise investment, or expect to operate across state lines.
- Consistency matters more than people think. Keep your legal name, DBA, EIN, bank accounts, contracts, invoices, domain, and tax registrations aligned. Mismatches create headaches in audits, loans, or ownership changes, which is when accounting or tax compliance support usually earns its keep.
Conclusion
The real cost to register a business name in the US in 2026 depends on whether you need a DBA, a formal entity, a trademark, or some combination of all three. There's no flat national price, and anyone quoting one isn't accounting for state and county variation.
Build your budget by separating one-time filing fees from recurring compliance and optional brand-protection costs, then verify every figure against the official state, county, or USPTO source before you file.
The right choice balances affordability with the liability protection, compliance, and long-term brand ownership your business actually needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much to trademark a business name in California?
Trademark protection is federal, not state-specific, so California businesses pay the same USPTO base fee of $350 per class, plus any surcharges for incomplete applications. Add optional costs for a clearance search or attorney assistance, and confirm current figures with the USPTO before filing.
How much does an LLC cost in Texas?
Texas LLC formation costs $300 through the Secretary of State. Beyond that, budget for the annual franchise tax report (even if no tax is owed below the threshold), a registered agent, and any required local licenses. Confirm current amounts with Texas state sources.
What are the benefits of an LLC?
An LLC separates personal and business liability in most situations, offers flexible management structures, and allows tax-election options like partnership or corporate treatment. It doesn't eliminate taxes, annual reports, or other state compliance obligations.
How much does it cost to register a DBA in the US?
DBA costs vary by state and county, typically ranging from $20 to $50 for the base filing. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may also owe publication charges, renewal fees, or certified-copy costs on top of that base amount.
Is it free to register a business name?
Operating under your own legal name may let you skip a separate DBA filing in some states. However, forming an LLC or corporation, filing an assumed name, registering a trademark, and obtaining required licenses almost always involve fees, plus recurring compliance costs down the line.
