Whether you are a corporation, LLC, or a sole proprietor, there may be advantages to filing a “Doing Business As” or “DBA” for your business.
What is a DBA?
DBA stands for “doing business as” and is an official, public registration of a business name. DBAs are also known as fictitious names, fictitious trade names, assumed names, and trade names. Essentially, a DBA is a business name that is not the name of the owner or, in the case of a corporation, a name that is different from the corporate name on file with the Secretary of State.
What are the benefits of filing a DBA?
A DBA makes it easy:
o Open a bank account and cash checks and payments payable to your business
o Have a more professional appearance by establishing a separate business identity
o Begin marketing and advertising under a name other than your personal or corporate name
What is an example of a DBA and how is it used?
If you were a sole proprietor named Jane Brown and your business name was “Donuts Unlimited”, you would register your business as Jane Brown and do business as “Donuts Unlimited”.
I already have a name for my corporation or LLC. Do I need a DBA?
If you have a corporation or LLC and want to do business under a different name than your company, most states require you to file a “Doing Business As” or “DBA” name.
For example, if an LLC does business under the name “Studio City”, but the corporate name is “Pinnacle Projects, LLC”, then a DBA must be filed for the name “Studio City”. This DBA filing must be made in the county or state (where applicable) in which the company’s registered office and principal address are located.
What information is required for a DBA filing?
DBA filings will generally contain the applicant’s name, filing date, fictitious company name, and company address. Submissions can be made by individuals or companies. In most states, you must first file DBA documents with the appropriate government entity, along with a state or county fee. In some states, you must also publish the name in a newspaper to give notice of the new business name.
