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A trade name.
Operate under a brand distinct from your legal company name. The cleanest way to launch a new line, run several storefronts, or set aside a cumbersome registered name. Filed in any state.
What it is.
A DBA, short for 'Doing Business As,' is a fictitious name registration.
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When you need one.
There are four common situations where a DBA is the right move:
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How we file.
We start by checking that the DBA name is available in your state and that it does not conflict with any existing fictitious name.
Discover moreWhat it is.
A DBA, short for 'Doing Business As,' is a fictitious name registration. It is the legal record of a brand name that the company uses publicly even though the legal name on the formation documents is something else.
The DBA does not create a new entity, does not need a new EIN, and does not change the legal liability or tax treatment. It is just a name registered with the state so that contracts, bank accounts, and payment platforms can recognize the brand under which the company operates.
A single company can register multiple DBAs. Each one is a separate brand identity sitting on top of the same legal entity.
When you need one.
There are four common situations where a DBA is the right move:
- The legal company name is awkward or generic and you want to operate under a stronger brand
- You are launching a second product line or store and want to keep its brand separate from the parent company
- You are running a holding company and want each operating brand to register under it without forming new entities
- A bank, payment processor, or vendor requires a registered fictitious name to issue invoices or receive payments under the brand
If the brand needs to be defended against copycats, the trademark service is the right add-on. The DBA registers the name with the state; the trademark protects it nationally.
How we file.
We start by checking that the DBA name is available in your state and that it does not conflict with any existing fictitious name. Then we file the registration with the state (and the county, in states that require both filings) and complete any newspaper publication requirements.
Once the registration is approved, you receive the DBA certificate, and the brand name is officially yours to use. We track the renewal date so you do not lose the registration to a missed deadline.
- Articles of Incorporation or Organization for the company
- Proposed DBA name (we run availability checks)
- EIN for the parent company
- Owner's signature on the registration form
Details
What's included
- DBA name availability search
- State and county filing where required
- Newspaper publication when required by the state
- Official DBA certificate
- Renewal date tracking and reminders
- Available in all 50 states
Questions
Frequently asked
Can the fictitious name include LLC, Corp, or Inc?
Yes, but only if those abbreviations match the legal entity type. An LLC can register a DBA that includes 'LLC'; it cannot register one that includes 'Inc' since the legal entity is not a corporation.
How long does the DBA registration process take?
It depends on the state and county. Most filings are completed within 1 to 4 weeks. Some states publish the DBA in a local newspaper before the registration is final, which can extend the timeline.
Does the DBA come with a separate EIN?
No. A DBA is just a name; it does not create a new entity, so there is no new EIN. The original company's EIN covers all its DBAs. This is why DBAs are so much cheaper and faster than forming a separate company.
Can a single company have multiple DBAs?
Yes. A company can register as many DBAs as it wants. Each one is filed and tracked separately, and each one carries its own renewal schedule.
How long is a DBA valid?
Most states issue DBAs for a 5-year term, after which they must be renewed. A few states use 1-year or 10-year terms. We track the renewal date for any DBA we file.
Does a DBA give me trademark protection?
No. A DBA registers a name with the state for record-keeping; it does not protect the name from being used by another business. For protection, the trademark service is the right path.
Ready when you are.
Tell us what you need. Our team takes it from there. Twenty-four years of doing exactly this.
Register your DBAContinue