(1) A foreign corporation whose name is unavailable under or whose name does not otherwise comply with s. 607.0401 shall use an alternate name that complies with s. 607.0401 to transact business in this state. An alternate name adopted for use in this state shall be cross-referenced to the actual name of the foreign corporation in the records of the department, provided that no cross-reference is required if the alternate name involves no more than adding the suffix “corporation,” “company,” or “incorporated” or the abbreviation “Corp.,” or “Inc.,” or “Co.” or the designation “Corp” or “Inc” or “Co” to the name. If the actual name of the foreign corporation subsequently becomes available in this state and the foreign corporation elects to operate in this state under its actual name, or the foreign corporation chooses to change its alternate name, a record approving the election or change, as the case may be, by its directors or shareholders, and signed as required pursuant to s. 607.0120, shall be delivered to the department for filing.

(2) A foreign corporation that adopts an alternate name under subsection (1) and obtains a certificate of authority with the alternate name need not comply with s. 865.09 with respect to the alternate name.

(3) So long as a foreign corporation maintains a certificate of authority with an alternate name, a foreign corporation shall transact business in this state under the alternate name unless the corporation is authorized under s. 865.09 to transact business in this state under another name.

(4) If a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state changes its corporate name to one that does not comply with s. 607.0401, it may not thereafter transact business in this state until it complies with subsection (1) and obtains an amended certificate of authority under s. 607.1504.

(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a foreign corporation may register under a name that is not otherwise distinguishable on the records of the department with the written consent of the other entity if the consent is filed with the department at the time of registration of such name and if such name is not identical to the name of the other entity.

History.—s. 141, ch. 89-154; s. 161, ch. 90-179; s. 39, ch. 93-281; s. 15, ch. 98-101; s. 39, ch. 2003-283; s. 203, ch. 2019-90.