If you are planning to start your own business, especially if you are interested in a sole proprietorship, you may want Spiegel & Utrera to obtain your Certificate of Alternate Name (hereinafter "alternate name").

An alternate name is any name under which a person transacts business in the state other than his legal name.

Registering an alternate name is valuable for corporations. The corporation may always use its name. If, however, the corporation wishes to use any name other than its name, it must file an alternate name. For example, XYZ, Inc., a New Jersey corporation wants to open a restaurant and called "Clucky Chicken". XYZ, Inc. must file the alternate name with the State of New Jersey in order to operate under "Clucky Chicken". By registering the alternate name and obtaining a Certificate of Alternate Name, the corporation may use its name or "Clucky Chicken".

One advantage of registering an alternate name is that you can obtain a Federal Identification Number for the name to enable you to open a bank account for the business under the alternate name.

If a business fails to comply with the applicable New Jersey Laws on alternate name registrations, the results may be adverse in a court of law. A person who fails to comply with the requirements of New Jersey Law on alternate names may be charged with a misdemeanor of the second degree.

To order your Certificate of Alternate Name, call the Spiegel & Utrera office nearest you.