Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

• 1). Locate the county in which you will predominantly be conducting business.
  
  
• 2). Contact the county clerk's office of that county. Request a trade name application.
  
  
• 3). Complete the application. Although each county may have a slightly different version of the form, most forms will require you include the names of all owners, their addresses, your business' address, your business' desired trade name and the nature of your business.
  
  
• 4). Mail or deliver the completed form to the county clerk's office. You will need to provide the required filing fee. This fee will vary from county to county.
  
  

Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships

• 1). Visit the New Jersey Department of the Treasury's Division of Revenue's website and download the form C-150G, the application to register an alternate name.
  
  
• 2). Complete the application. You will need to include the name of your business, its state tax ID number, its date of formation, the alternate name you wish to use and the type of services your business provides.
  
  
• 3). Fax, mail or deliver the completed form to the Division of Revenue. You will need to include payment of $50 to cover the filing fee as of 2010. Your registration will be good for five years. After this time, your registration will expire. You must renew within three months of expiration.