William Paterson University

If the business name is your name, registration is advisable but not required. If the business name is not your name, registration is required.

To register a sole proprietorship or general partnership under a trade name or a name including "and Company" or "& Co.", contact the County Clerk in the county or counties where business will be conducted:

For corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships or limited liability partnerships, a Certificate of Incorporation or Business Certificate must be filed with the State of New Jersey. You can file online or download the New Jersey Complete Registration Package from the New Jersey website at www.state.nj.us/njbgs. Or, contact:

Whom do I contact to register a business with the State of New Jersey for tax and employer purposes?

All businesses must register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue 15 days prior to the day business opens. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships with no employees file business taxes under their social security number. All businesses with employees must file business taxes under a federal tax identification number.

Client Registration Bureau
NJ Division of Revenue
PO Box 252, Trenton, NJ 08625-0252
(609) 292-1730

Go to www.state.nj.us/njbgs to register online or to download the New Jersey Complete Registration Package.

How do you reserve a business name?

You can check availability and reserve a business name online from www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/busname.htm and clicking Online Services or by contacting:

Division of Revenue Business Services
NJ Department of the Treasury
PO Box 308
225 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0308
(609) 292-9292

Names for in-state or domestic companies can be reserved for 120 days; out-of-state or foreign companies for one year.

Occupations and business activities may require some form of registration, license or certification by the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey License and Certification Guide can be downloaded from the NJ website at https://www6.state.nj.us/commerce/CEG_LCI/html/licguid.html. You can also call the NJ Commerce and Economic Growth Commission, Licenses and Certification Hotline at (609) 777-2642 or (800) 533-0186.

Municipal and County regulations may also apply, making it prudent to contact your local authorities on regulations and permits applicable to your business.

The SBA does not grant funds for starting or expanding a business, but it does offer a variety of loan programs via intermediaries and participating lenders. Generally, the SBA's grant programs fund non-profits such as educational or intermediary lending organizations to provide technical or financial assistance to small businesses. You can find some information on sources of grants from non-SBA sources on the SBA website at www.sba.gov.

The US SBA's Loan Guaranty Program gives small businesses access to financing by guaranteeing loans by private and non-profit lenders. The SBA is not a direct lender. Three parties are involved in SBA loans: the borrower, the lender and the SBA. The lender determines if the borrower's loan application is acceptable. If it doesn't meet the lender's criteria, the application and credit analysis may be forwarded to the SBA. Once approved by the SBA, the lender approves and closes the loan. The borrower makes loan payments to the lender, not the SBA. Not all banks or non-bank lenders are SBA lenders. Go to the Business Information Center on the Warren County Regional Chamber website at www.warrencountychamber.org or, for statewide and national listings, go to www.sba.gov and search for the List of Certified and Preferred Lenders.

I f you don't see the answer to your question, call the William Paterson Small Business Development Center at (973) 754-8695.