Foreign Business Name Registration

General Information

A foreign business may register its business name with the Kentucky Secretary of State. A registered name is a way to assure availability of a name in Kentucky before obtaining authority to transact business in Kentucky. A person who registers a business name will have exclusive use of the name in Kentucky during the term of the registration. KRS 14A.3-030(3). The registration lasts for up to a year and may be renewed for another full year.

A registered name is effective when filed with the Secretary of State and will expire on January 1st of the next calendar year. KRS 14A.3-030(3). Therefore, it is most advantageous to register a name early in the year. The registered name may be renewed for the next full calendar year by filing for a renewal of the registered name between October 1 and December 31 of the year in which the registered name will expire. KRS 14A.3-030(4).

Purpose/Necessity

People who commonly seek a business name registration include:

  1. Business owner seeking to prevent others from using the business name in Kentucky.
  2. Business owner eventually intending to expand into Kentucky but not ready to qualify just yet.

A foreign business name does not need to be registered prior to obtaining authority to transact business in Kentucky. However, some entrepreneurs find it advantageous to register a name so that another person does not register, reserve, qualify, or form a business with the same/an indistinguishable business name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal Services Offered and Cost

Register Business Name
Legal fees: $150 flat fee

This includes:

  1. Search that the desired name is available for registration
  2. Review of client’s information to ensure legal requirements are fulfilled
  3. Completion of registration of entity name form
  4. Submission of form and filing fee with the Kentucky Secretary of State
  5. All postage and mailing charges
  6. Email confirmation of name registration acceptance by Secretary of State with PDF

If you are ready to get started, please CLICK HERE to enter basic information using our secure online form.

Renew Registered Business Name
Legal fees: $150 flat fee

This includes:

  1. Review of client’s information to ensure legal requirements are fulfilled
  2. Completion of renewal of entity name form
  3. Submission of form and filing fee with the Kentucky Secretary of State
  4. All postage and mailing charges
  5. Email confirmation of name renewal acceptance by Secretary of State with PDF

If you are ready to get started, please CLICK HERE to enter basic information using our secure online form.