The Florida Senate

617.1506  Corporate name of foreign corporation.--

(1)  A foreign corporation is not entitled to file an application for a certificate of authority unless the corporate name of such corporation satisfies the requirements of s. 617.0401 To obtain or maintain a certificate of authority to transact business in this state, the foreign corporation:

(a)  May add the word "corporation" or "incorporated" or the abbreviation "corp." or "inc." or words of like import, as will clearly indicate that it is a corporation instead of a natural person or partnership, to its corporate name for use in this state, provided, the name of a foreign corporation may not contain the word "company" or the abbreviation "co."; or

(b)  May use an alternate name to transact business in this state if its real name is unavailable and it delivers to the Department of State, for filing, a copy of the resolution of its board of directors, executed as required by s. 617.01201, adopting an alternate name.

(2)  The corporate name, including the alternate name, of a foreign corporation must be distinguishable, within the records of the Division of Corporations, from:

(a)  The alternate name of another foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state.

(b)  The corporate name of a not-for-profit corporation incorporated or authorized to transact business in this state.

(c)  The names of all other entities or filings, except fictitious name registrations pursuant to s. 865.09, organized, or registered under the laws of this state, that are on file with the Division of Corporations.

(3)  If a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state changes its corporate name to one that does not satisfy the requirements of s. 607.0401, such corporation may not transact business in this state under the changed name until the corporation adopts a name satisfying the requirements of s. 607.0401

(4)  The corporate name must be distinguishable from the names of all other entities or filings, organized, registered, or reserved under the laws of the state that are on file with the Division of Corporations, except fictitious name registrations pursuant to s. 865.09

History.--s. 96, ch. 90-179; s. 65, ch. 93-281; s. 15, ch. 98-101.