Add or change trade names

To register a trade name or make changes to an existing trade name, you must:

• Submit a new Business License Application.
• and
• Pay the appropriate fees. In addition to the $15 Business License Application processing fee (non-refundable), there is a $5 fee for each name registered.

How to find out if a trade name is available

Search in the following locations to make sure the name you have chosen isn’t already taken:

1. Search business licenses. If your search result is “No matches were found for your search,” try spelling the name differently or leave out abbreviations or punctuation such as Inc, LLC, etc.
   • You can also search this database by mail. The cost is $4 to search up to 3 names. To request a search by mail, send a letter with your return address, a list of the names you want to research, and a check or money order to pay the fee to:
     
     State of Washington
     Business Licensing Service
     PO Box 9034
     Olympia, WA 98507-9034
2. Department of Revenue — All trade names may not be included.
3. Secretary of State Corporations Registration Data Search — Corporation and limited liability company names.
4. U.S. Patent and Trademark Commission — Search for federally registered names.

How to file a Business License Application

There are three ways to file the Business License Application:

• File online using a MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit or debit card (gift cards cannot be used). Filing online isn’t recommended for some businesses. See the list of businesses that shouldn’t file a Business License Application online for details.
• File by mail: Complete the paper Business License Application and mail it to:
  
  State of Washington
  Business Licensing Service
  PO Box 9034
  Olympia, WA 98507-9034
• File in person at a business licensing office.

For more information about filing your application, see File a Business License Application.