Preliminary name availability check
Prep and filing the DBA documents
Shipping you the completed documents
Doing business as: Adopting a new business name
A doing business as (DBA) filing is an official and public way to register a business name with either the state or a local jurisdiction. A DBA name is also known as an assumed name, fictitious business name, or trade name.
With a DBA, sole proprietorships and general partnerships can do business under a name other than their personal legal name. A DBA also allows LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and other formal business entities to operate using a name other than the legal name listed on their formation documents.
Use a DBA for new lines of business
A DBA allows your company to use a different name when entering a new line of business, launching a new product or service, or rebranding.
There are no limits to the number of DBA names a business can register. Having multiple DBAs can allow your company to effectively run separate businesses under one legal entity, as long as you stay within the scope of your stated business purpose if your company is incorporated.
Other key benefits of filing a DBA
There are a number of reasons why business owners choose to file a Doing Business As, and these reasons may vary according to business type. These include:
- Legal requirement. If an LLC, corporation, or other type of business wishes to legally operate under a name other than its legal name, it must register that DBA name.
- Open a business bank account. Banks typically require sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a DBA before opening a business bank account.
- Added business credibility. Having a DBA can lend additional credibility for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.
- Domain name as your business name. A DBA filing would allow you to operate under a name that matches your company’s web address if it is different from your business’ legal name.
BizFilings’ DBA service ordering details
| Standard Orders | Expedited Orders |
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$139 plus state and/or county fees, any publication fees and a $25 name check fee in states, where applicable. The typical completion time for the DBA Filing Service is 4 to 6 weeks. |
For an extra fee, BizFilings can expedite your order, sending necessary documents for your signature. We also ship your approved DBA document(s) to necessary parties and to you, after receiving them from the appropriate office.
Typical completion time for expedited DBA Filing Service orders is 2 to 4 weeks. |
Important: DBA filings for an existing business entity can impact business registrations. A common misconception is that you do not need to update existing registrations if you file for a DBA. Creating a DBA for an existing entity may require changes to payroll, sales tax, and other types of registrations.
Frequently asked questions
DBA basics
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What is a DBA filing?
A DBA (doing business as) filing is an official and public registration of a business name with either the state or local jurisdiction. A DBA name is also called an assumed name, trade name, or fictitious business name.
The DBA filing also becomes part of the public record, giving other businesses official notice that this name is in use in the state and/or county where the DBA was filed.
Once the DBA filing is approved, the business can use the name as its official business name and:
- Open a business bank account
- Create stationery or business cards using the DBA name
- Develop advertisements and/or list the company in directories
- Undertake transactions on behalf of the company
Related: What is a DBA? (Guide)
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Is a DBA filing the same as registering your business?
No. A DBA filing is not the same as registering or forming a business. A DBA is not a type of business structure. A DBA filing only allows a business to operate under a name that is different than its legal name.
For sole proprietorships and general partnerships, filing a DBA does not provide personal asset protection to the owner(s). LLC formation or business incorporation is necessary to protect personal assets from the debts and liabilities of a business; these involve filing formation or incorporation documents with the state.
Related: Comparing C Corp, S Corp, LLC, and DBA, How to form an LLC, How to start a corporation, LLC & Corporation State Guides
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Can I file a DBA if my company is not incorporated?
Yes. A sole proprietorship and a general partnership are two types of unincorporated businesses that are able to file DBAs. In fact, in order to open a business bank account, most banks will require sole proprietorships or general partnerships to have a DBA. Because the owners of sole proprietorships and general partnerships are legally considered the same as the business, you must transact business using your personal name if you do not have a DBA.
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When does an LLC or corporation need to file a DBA?
You need to complete a DBA registration if your limited liability company (LLC), C corporation, S corporation, or nonprofit corporation intends to do business under a name that is different than the legal name that appears on its state-approved formation documents or foreign qualification documents. (Foreign qualification documents are used when a company is registered to transact business in a state outside its original formation state.) The LLC or corporation must file the DBA with the appropriate state and/or county agency in the state in which the company is formed or foreign qualified.
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Are DBA filings mandatory?
An individual or company will be required, in most jurisdictions, to file a DBA if they choose to transact business under a name different from their legal name. For sole proprietorships and general partnerships, the legal name would be the personal name of the owner or owners. For corporations, LLCs, and other businesses registered with the state, the legal name would be the name used on the company’s formation documents.
Most banks will also require sole proprietorships and general partnerships to have a DBA in order to open a business bank account. The DBA should be filed before you begin transacting business with that business name.
DBA filing and maintenance
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Where should I file my DBA?
DBAs are typically filed in the state and/or county where the principal business address or street address of the business is located. If you are incorporated in a state other than the state where your business is located, you typically need to file the DBA in your formation state. In some cases, you must file the DBA in other local jurisdictions, such as with the city or town clerk.
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What steps are involved in filing a DBA?
Filing a DBA involves the following steps:
- Undertaking a preliminary name check with the appropriate state and/or county agency (if applicable)
- Preparation and filing of the DBA document(s)
- Payment of DBA filing fees to the state and/or county agency
- Publication of DBA filing with local newspapers (if applicable)
- Re-file publication with state and/or county agencies (if applicable)
With BizFilings' DBA Filing Service, we undertake the necessary steps on your behalf.
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What words are prohibited in a DBA or fictitious business name?
There are some restrictions when it comes to choosing a DBA name. You cannot use words that may mislead the general public into believing the company is something other than what is being portrayed by the DBA name. For example, you may not use corporate name endings (such as "Inc.", "Incorporated", or "Corp.") if the company is not officially formed as a corporation. Also, you may not use "Limited Liability Company" or "LLC" if the company is not officially formed as an LLC.
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Can I expedite a DBA filing?
To get your DBA filing sooner, add expedited processing to your DBA Filing Service order. We will send you the necessary document(s) for signature via UPS 2nd Day delivery and ship your approved DBA document(s) via UPS 2nd Day delivery both to the state and/or county and to you after receiving them from the appropriate office. Typical completion time for an expedited DBA Filing Service order is 2 to 4 weeks. Please note, BizFilings cannot guarantee this timeframe, as processing procedures vary greatly by state and/or county.
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How many DBA names can a business have?
There are no state and/or county restrictions as to the number of DBA names you may file.
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Can someone else use my DBA name?
Registering a DBA typically does not reserve the name against future use by another party. In most cases, registration of a DBA or fictitious business name is for public notice only and should not be presumed that the registrant’s rights to own or use the name are protected. In order to protect your business name, you should consider registering a trademark.
Related: What is a trademark?
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Do DBA filings expire?
DBA filings can be valid for any number of years; they may or may not expire. Each state or county establishes its own expiration requirements for DBA filings. If your filing expires, the appropriate agency will notify you at the address you have on record, and you will need to re-file the DBA name. Maintaining a current DBA business address with the appropriate agency is very important.
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Is there a publication requirement for DBA filings?
Some states require publication of the DBA filing in a specific newspaper for a specific time frame. Requirements vary by the state and/or county in which the DBA is filed. In some cases, upon satisfaction of the publication requirement, you will need to file your proof of publication with the appropriate agency.
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How do I get started with the filing process?
DBA filings may need to be made in the state, county, or (in some cases) the city where you are planning to use the name. There are also naming issues and publication requirements that are specific to each government jurisdiction. BizFilings' DBA Filing Service satisfies all of these requirements. When you place your order with BizFilings, we manage the entire process for you.
Explore BizFilings’ services
The following products and services are often applicable to companies seeking a DBA:
File a DBA
$159 plus state and/or county fees, publication fees, and a $25 name check fee in states where applicable
Choose our expedited service for an additional $200 to get it faster.
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