Free Trade Name Application (Registration) and instructions - Maryland

State of Maryland

Department of Assessments and Taxation
Charter Division

TRADE NAME APPLICATION
1) Only one trade name may appear on this line TRADE NAME: __________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2) STREET ADDRESS(ES) WHERE NAME IS USED:___________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

CITY:____________________________________STATE:________________ZIP:_______________ P.O. Box address is not acceptable anywhere on this form.

3) FULL LEGAL NAME OF OWNER OF BUSINESS OR INDIVIDUAL USING THE TRADE NAME: _______________________________________________________________________________ If more than one owner, attach an additional sheet listing each owner with their address. Be sure each owner signs this form.

4) If the owner is an individual or general partnership, does it have a personal property account (an "L" number)? Check one box YES NO If YES, WHAT IS THAT NUMBER? ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ If NO, see instruction 4 under How To Complete Trade Name Application.

5) ADDRESS OF OWNER: _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

CITY:____________________________STATE:_______________________ZIP:___________

6) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS:_________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________ I affirm and acknowledge under penalties of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. 7) ______________________________________ SIGNATURE OF OWNER _______________________________ SIGNATURE OF OWNER

______________________________________ SIGNATURE OF OWNER

_______________________________ SIGNATURE OF OWNER

TRADE NAME APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS General information 1. The fee is $25.00; make checks payable to: DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND
TAXATION Filings brought into the office and filed on a while-you wait basis as well as by fax are subject to an additional $50.00 surcharge for Expedited Service. Check fee schedule web page for a list of all service fees, http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/fees.html. Mail the form and check to: Charter Division Department of Assessments and Taxation 301 W. Preston Street, Room 801 Baltimore, Maryland 21201

2. Walk- in hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For same day service, fees must be paid by check or
cash.

3. For expedited faxes, attach a separate completed cover sheet with MasterCard or Visa credit
card payment information, cardholder's signature and expiration date of credit card with the application and fax to 410-333-7097. Do not put credit card information on the trade name application.

4. Trade name applications must be signed to be accepted. 5. If the name is found to be available and all items on the form are completed, The Department will
accept the filing for record and an acknowledgment with the filing date will be sent to the "Address of Owner"( unless otherwise stated), ordinarily within four weeks of acceptance.

6. This filing is effective for five years from the day of acceptance by the Department. During the
last six months of the period the filing may be renewed for an additional five years. If not renewed, the Department will forfeit the trade name and a new application must be filed.

NOTICE: Acceptance of a trade name application does not confer on the owner any greater right to use the name than he otherwise already has. The Department checks the name only against other trade names filed with this Department. Federal trademarks, State service marks, records in other states and trade names are not meant to reserve the name for its owners, to act as a trademark filing or to confer on the owner any greater right to the name that he already possesses. For further information, contact your lawyer, accountant or financial advisor. _________________________________________________________________

HOW TO COMPLETE TRADE NAME APPLICATION
All blanks on the form must be typed or printed with black ink, completed and legible and the signature must be original (no stamp, Xerox or carbon). Numbers correspond to numbers on trade name application: 1. TRADE NAME ­ Only one trade name may appear on this line. To file more than one trade name, complete a separate application for each and send separate checks. NO trade name may contain a term that implies it is a type of entity that it is not (i.e. if the owner is an individual, "Inc. cannot be in the trade name). Check name on business data search on web site ­ www.dat.state.md.us. 2. The ADDRESS (ES) WHERE NAME IS USED - No post office box addresses may be used anywhere on the form. Complete with full address including street address, city, state and zip code.

3. FULL NAME OF LEGAL ENTITY OR INDIVIDUAL USING THE TRADE NAME - Legal entities may be owners of the trade name. If the legal entity is the owner the legal entity must be registered with MD Dept of Assessments and Taxation. If more then one owner, attach an additional sheet listing each owner with his/her address. Be sure each owner signs this form. 4. Answer yes or no. If yes, indicate unincorporated account number. Note: All Unincorporated businesses that own or lease personal property (furniture, fixtures, tools, machinery, equipment, etc.) or anticipate owning or leasing personal property in the future, or need a business license must file an annual personal property return with this Department, Registration applications can be obtained by contacting your local assessment office or by calling (410)767-4991.

5. ADDRESS OF OWNER - Complete with full address including street address, city, state and zip code. P.O. Box not accepted as address. Attach additional sheet for all owners addresses if needed. 6. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ­ State the nature of business.

7. SIGNATURE - Each person listed as an owner must sign. If a legal entity is the owner the
person who signs for the entity must state his/her title. __________________________________________________________________

TRADE NAME BASICS
WHO Any Person engaged in any mercantile, trading or manufacturing business under a name other than the person's own name (person here means legal person so it includes corporations, partnerships, LLC's, and trusts as well as humans) The attached form and filing fee ­ check made payable to Department of Assessments and Taxation. The Department will compare the name to other names filed. If the name is available, it will be recorded and an acknowledgement will be sent. If rejected, the document and check will be returned. Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division 301 W. Preston Street, Room 801 Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2392 By mail, FAX, or the filing may be dropped off at 301 W. Preston Street, 8 Floor from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. any business day. Filings can be made on a "while-you-wait" basis. Fax and "while-you-wait" filings are subject to an additional $50.00 surcharge for Expedited Service. Payment for FAX filings is by VISA or Master Card. 1. The law requires it 2. There will be a filing in the public record to show that as of the filing date the listed owners had the intention of using that name (this may be very helpful in subsequent disputes over the right to use the name) 3. It will help third parties (customers, suppliers, etc. of the business) correctly identify who or what they are actually dealing with 4. It will keep others from filing under that name and let them know that this name is already in use
th

WHAT

WHERE

HOW

WHY

TAX TIP: All unincorporated businesses that own or lease personal property (furniture, fixtures, tools, machinery, equipment, etc.) or anticipate owning or leasing personal property in the future, or need a business license must file an annual personal property return with the Department of Assessments and Taxation. Registration applications can be obtained by contacting your local assessment office or by calling (410) 767-4991.

SDAT Revised 6/07

How long will it take to process my documents? Regular processing time for submitted documents is about 7-8 weeks; Expedited processing request will be responded to within 7 business days. Documents hand-delivered in limited quantities receive same day service between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Hand-delivered transactions are to be paid by check only. There is an expedited fee for same day service for document processing. The expedited service fee is an additional $50.00 for this document; other fees may also apply. Check the Fee Schedule web page for a list of all service fees, http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/fees.html Mail completed forms to: State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Division, 301 W. Preston Street; 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201-2395. Fax completed forms with Mastercard or Visa credit card payment information to 410-333-7097. Fax request will be charged the additional expedited service fee. NOTE: Due to the fact that the laws governing the formation and operation of business entities and the effectiveness of a UCC Financing Statement involves more than filing documents with our office, we suggest you consult an attorney, accountant or other professional. State Department of Assessments & Taxation staff can not offer business counseling or legal advice. Notice regarding annual documents to be filed with the Department of Assessments & Taxation: All domestic and foreign legal entities must submit a Personal Property Return to the Department. Failure to file a Personal Property Return will result in forfeiture of your right to conduct business in Maryland. Copies of the return are available on the SDAT website. The returns are due April 15th of each year.

SDAT: Corporate Charter