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DBA/ Trade Name Company
DBA / Trade Name Company Formation
Overview A "Doing Business As" (DBA), also called a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name, lets a business operate under a name different from its legal, registered name. DBAs are commonly used by sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations to create a public-facing brand without forming a new legal entity.
Why file a DBA?
Branding: Operate under a marketable name without creating a new LLC or corporation.
Banking: Open business bank accounts and receive payments under the trade name.
Compliance: Meet state or local requirements for public notice and consumer transparency.
Flexibility: Add multiple DBAs to one legal entity for different product lines or locations.
Who needs a DBA?
Sole proprietors who don’t want to use their personal name.
Partnerships that want a distinct business name.
LLCs or corporations wanting to run different operations under separate names.
Any business required by state or local law to register assumed names.
Key steps to form a DBA
Choose a name
Pick a unique, marketable name that complies with local rules.
Avoid names implying a different business structure (e.g., don’t use “Inc.” for a sole proprietorship).
Check for existing trademarks and domain-name availability to reduce legal risk.
Conduct name searches
Search state DBA/fictitious name databases and county records.
Check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for federal trademark conflicts.
Review local county clerk or recorder’s office requirements.
Understand state and local requirements
DBA rules vary by state and sometimes by county or city.
Some states require county-level registration; others use a state-level filing.
Fees and renewal periods differ—confirm local fees, publication requirements, and renewal timelines.
File the DBA registration
Complete the required form with the appropriate state or county office (often the county clerk or Secretary of State).
Provide the legal name of the owner(s) or entity, the proposed trade name, business address, and contact information.
Pay the filing fee and retain a copy of the filed document.
Publication (if required)
Some jurisdictions mandate publishing a notice of the assumed name in a local newspaper for a specified period.
Keep proof of publication as it may be required for the registration to be finalized.
Obtain an EIN and open accounts (if applicable)
Sole proprietors using a DBA may use their Social Security Number, but obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is recommended for privacy and credibility.
Open a business bank account under the DBA; banks typically require the DBA filing and EIN or personal identification.
Maintain compliance
Renew the DBA as required by local law.
Update the registration if ownership, address, or business structure changes.
Monitor for infringement and protect any trademark rights separately.
Costs and timing
Filing fees vary widely: commonly $10–$100 at the county level; state filings can be higher.
Publication fees (where required) vary by newspaper rates and can add several hundred dollars.
Processing time ranges from same-day to several weeks depending on the jurisdiction.
Limitations and legal considerations
A DBA does not create a separate legal entity or provide liability protection. Legal and tax obligations remain with the underlying owner or entity.
A DBA does not grant exclusive trademark rights. Consider federal or state trademark registration for stronger brand protection.
DBAs cannot be used to evade laws or mislead the public about the nature of the business.
Common use cases
Freelancers and sole proprietors using a business name instead of their personal name.
Retailers opening multiple storefronts under different names.
An LLC operating multiple product lines under separate brand names.
Professionals using different names for separate service offerings.
Checklist before filing
Confirm name availability at state, county, and USPTO levels.
Decide whether a DBA is sufficient or whether forming an LLC/corporation is better for liability protection.
Prepare required owner/entity information and business address.
Budget for filing and potential publication costs.
Plan for EIN, business banking, and bookkeeping under the DBA.
Need help? Consider consulting a business attorney or a qualified formation service for jurisdiction-specific guidance, especially when liability protection or trademark concerns are involved. For insurance needs tied to your new trade name—like general liability, professional liability, or business property coverage—assessing risks and securing appropriate policies early protects your venture and brand.
DBA / Trade Name Company Formation
Overview A "Doing Business As" (DBA), also called a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name, lets a business operate under a name different from its legal, registered name. DBAs are commonly used by sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations to create a public-facing brand without forming a new legal entity.
Why file a DBA?
Branding: Operate under a marketable name without creating a new LLC or corporation.
Banking: Open business bank accounts and receive payments under the trade name.
Compliance: Meet state or local requirements for public notice and consumer transparency.
Flexibility: Add multiple DBAs to one legal entity for different product lines or locations.
Who needs a DBA?
Sole proprietors who don’t want to use their personal name.
Partnerships that want a distinct business name.
LLCs or corporations wanting to run different operations under separate names.
Any business required by state or local law to register assumed names.
Key steps to form a DBA
Choose a name
Pick a unique, marketable name that complies with local rules.
Avoid names implying a different business structure (e.g., don’t use “Inc.” for a sole proprietorship).
Check for existing trademarks and domain-name availability to reduce legal risk.
Conduct name searches
Search state DBA/fictitious name databases and county records.
Check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for federal trademark conflicts.
Review local county clerk or recorder’s office requirements.
Understand state and local requirements
DBA rules vary by state and sometimes by county or city.
Some states require county-level registration; others use a state-level filing.
Fees and renewal periods differ—confirm local fees, publication requirements, and renewal timelines.
File the DBA registration
Complete the required form with the appropriate state or county office (often the county clerk or Secretary of State).
Provide the legal name of the owner(s) or entity, the proposed trade name, business address, and contact information.
Pay the filing fee and retain a copy of the filed document.
Publication (if required)
Some jurisdictions mandate publishing a notice of the assumed name in a local newspaper for a specified period.
Keep proof of publication as it may be required for the registration to be finalized.
Obtain an EIN and open accounts (if applicable)
Sole proprietors using a DBA may use their Social Security Number, but obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is recommended for privacy and credibility.
Open a business bank account under the DBA; banks typically require the DBA filing and EIN or personal identification.
Maintain compliance
Renew the DBA as required by local law.
Update the registration if ownership, address, or business structure changes.
Monitor for infringement and protect any trademark rights separately.
Costs and timing
Filing fees vary widely: commonly $10–$100 at the county level; state filings can be higher.
Publication fees (where required) vary by newspaper rates and can add several hundred dollars.
Processing time ranges from same-day to several weeks depending on the jurisdiction.
Limitations and legal considerations
A DBA does not create a separate legal entity or provide liability protection. Legal and tax obligations remain with the underlying owner or entity.
A DBA does not grant exclusive trademark rights. Consider federal or state trademark registration for stronger brand protection.
DBAs cannot be used to evade laws or mislead the public about the nature of the business.
Common use cases
Freelancers and sole proprietors using a business name instead of their personal name.
Retailers opening multiple storefronts under different names.
An LLC operating multiple product lines under separate brand names.
Professionals using different names for separate service offerings.
Checklist before filing
Confirm name availability at state, county, and USPTO levels.
Decide whether a DBA is sufficient or whether forming an LLC/corporation is better for liability protection.
Prepare required owner/entity information and business address.
Budget for filing and potential publication costs.
Plan for EIN, business banking, and bookkeeping under the DBA.
Need help? Consider consulting a business attorney or a qualified formation service for jurisdiction-specific guidance, especially when liability protection or trademark concerns are involved. For insurance needs tied to your new trade name—like general liability, professional liability, or business property coverage—assessing risks and securing appropriate policies early protects your venture and brand.