Doing Business As: When and How to File a DBA
A DBA allows you to do business under a different name than your legal one. Some business entities require one, and many businesses can benefit from one.
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Nerdy takeaways
- Filing a DBA, or “doing business as,” allows you to name your business something other than your own name.
- Registering for a DBA can help you better define your brand for your customers, operate legally within your state and simplify business banking and taxes.
- You need to file paperwork with your city, county or state and pay filing fees. Additional fees may also apply.
A DBA (or “doing business as”) lets you operate under a business name that’s different from your legal name or your company’s registered name.
Filing a DBA doesn’t create a separate legal entity or protect you from personal liability. However, you may be legally required to file a DBA depending on your business entity and where it operates.
What does DBA mean?
DBA stands for “doing business as.” It’s also referred to as your business’s assumed, trade or fictitious name.
For unincorporated business structures, such as sole proprietorships and partnerships, your default legal name is your personal name. Filing a DBA allows you to rename your business, which can be especially useful for banking and marketing reasons.
So, if Laura Smith starts a tech repair business as a sole proprietor, her business legally operates under her own name by default. By registering a DBA like “Laura’s Tech Repair Shop,” she can run and advertise the business under that name — but the DBA remains legally tied to Laura Smith, and it doesn’t create a separate legal entity.
Which businesses need a DBA?
Not all businesses need DBAs. It depends on a combination of the business's legal entity, the locale's requirements and the business owner's preference.
Sole proprietorships and partnerships
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships don't need to file entity formation papers or a business entity name with the state. So business names for these entities default to the owner’s legal name. If you want your business to operate under a name other than your own or your business partner’s, you need to file a DBA.
Franchises
Franchise owners don't need a DBA solely because they’re franchisees. But if a franchisee operates under a brand name that differs from their company’s legal name, they may be required to register a DBA.
For example, you buy a local Burger King franchise and form a limited liability company called 123 Business LLC. You then make your DBA "Burger King" to let your state — and your local customers — know that you are "doing business as" the franchise you joined.
Other legal entities
Most other business entities (S corporations and C corporations, limited partnerships and LLCs) don’t need to file a “doing business as” name. These business types register their business names when they form.
However, any business formed under one of these entities still has the option to register a DBA name. For example, John’s Cosmetics Inc. may want to have a separate name for its upcoming skin care line, “John’s Skincare Solutions.” Filing a DBA to operate under this new name saves John both the money and time it takes to launch a whole new business under an additional LLC or corporation.
How to file a DBA name
The specific details of the DBA filing process vary depending on your business entity and the state in which you operate. There are, however, several steps you’ll complete regardless:
- Determine where you need to file. Depending on your state and entity type, you’ll file for a DBA at either the city, county or state level. Knowing whether you need to file with your city or county clerk or your Secretary of State will make the next step easier.
- Search your desired DBA name. Most County Clerk and Secretary of States offices have an online database where you can search the DBA name you plan to use. If the name you want to go with is already being used by another business, your registration may be denied. Note that your “doing business as” name can’t have a corporate ending such as “Inc,” “LLC," or “Corp,” unless your business has been formed as that type of entity. Otherwise, using that language gives the impression that your business has corporate status when it doesn’t.
- Complete the registration form. Most states offer easy access to the DBA registration form online, through either the website for your local clerk’s office or the Secretary of State. That same website will also tell you whether in-person or mail-in registration is an option. Generally, the form is only a couple of pages and will ask for information such as the DBA name, entity type, business address and EIN, if applicable.
- Pay necessary fees for filing. DBA filing fees vary widely, depending on the state and whether you need to file at the county or state level. For example, Virginia charges $10, Florida charges $50 and Georgia charges filing fees ranging from $150 to $200. Additional fees may apply if you want a certified copy of the registration and if your state requires publication of notice (explained in the next step).
- Publish a DBA notice (if applicable). In some states, you’re required to place a fictitious name ad in a local newspaper for a certain amount of time. This fulfills the “public notice” requirement that exists in certain states like California, Florida and Georgia.
Tips for filing
- If you operate under an assumed name that has not been registered, you can get hit with big fines from your state regulatory agency.
- In many states, you must renew a DBA after a set amount of time. Stay on top (and well ahead) of your renewal date. Letting it lapse can impact your business marketing and force you to redo the entire DBA process, fees and all.
- Certain states also require you to file a new DBA if the information provided in the original filing changes, such as a change in officers (for a corporation), partners (for a general partnership), or members (for an LLC). Note that in some states, you can simply file an amendment under these circumstances.
Advantages of filing a DBA
Makes business banking much easier
We recommend that every business owner opens a business bank account separate from their personal bank account. Separating your business and personal finances is helpful in several ways:
- It protects your personal assets in case of a lawsuit.
- It preserves your personal credit score if your business fails.
- It simplifies your bookkeeping and tax filing.
- It helps you look more professional in the eyes of your clients and small-business lenders.
Keeps your business legally compliant
If you operate your business under a name other than what’s on your incorporation documents and didn’t file a DBA, then you may be breaking the law in states where a DBA is required. That could result in your business being fined or even sued.
Your name defines your brand
Your brand name is the public's first impression of your business. Ideally, your business's name should reflect your product or service, and give people a reason to become paying customers. If sole proprietor Laura Smith kept her business’s name as just “Laura Smith,” who would know what she offered until they walked into her shop? And why would they feel compelled to walk into that shop at all?
Opens up expansion possibilities
Registering a DBA allows businesses to operate multiple firms under one ownership, without having to form a separate business entity each time they expand. If there’s any hope that your original venture will expand into new product lines, markets, etc., you’ll want to register each under a separate DBA name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a DBA a legal entity?
No, a DBA is not a legal entity. If you register a DBA without first forming some type of legal entity, your state will automatically recognize your business as a sole proprietorship.
How do I get a DBA for my business?
Depending on your state, county, city and business structure, you’ll either go to your county clerk’s office to file the paperwork to apply for a DBA or you’ll do so with your state government.
In some states, you might also have to place a fictitious name ad in a local newspaper for a certain amount of time. This fulfills the “public notice” requirement for some states — giving the local area an official announcement of your business name.
How much does it cost to start a DBA?
DBA costs vary by state, county, city and business structure, but in general, registering a DBA comes with paperwork and filing fees anywhere from $10 to a couple hundred dollars.
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