Register my business name
You need to fill out specific paperwork and pay a filing fee when you file a DBA. This is a great option for a sole proprietor who doesn’t want their business under their personal name. Key takeaway: DBA stands for “doing business as,” the name your business is referred to as by the public. “The legal name remains the person’s name (if an unregistered sole proprietorship) or the business entity (if a corporation or a limited liability company), but the name that the public knows the business as is the DBA name.”
Having a DBA “means that the person or business entity intends to use that name to identify itself to the public,” said Kimberly Hanlon, attorney at Lucēre Legal LLC. A DBA is ideal for sole proprietors who prefer not to use their own names as their company name and small business owners who want to pick their own business name without becoming a corporation. A DBA has a few aliases itself: It is also known as a fictitious business name, assumed name or trade name. What is DBA?ĭBA stands for “doing business as.” Your DBA is the name your business is referred to both legally and by consumers. This can cost anywhere from $5 to $100 and takes one to four weeks to file. Some people choose to use their own name for their business, but if you want to give yours a unique name – without registering as a corporation – you’ll need to register your alternative business name with the right people, which you can do in two or three steps (depending on the state you file in). Choosing a “doing business as” name, or DBA, is not only one of the first steps to establish your business, but also a good branding move. Once you’ve decided you want to start a business and have chosen a business structure, it’s time to figure out how you want to present your business to the public. A DBA gives them the option to file under a name of their choosing.
To file for a DBA, you must fill out an application through a local, state or county agency.The filing fee for a DBA ranges from $5 to $100 depending on the state.DBA stands for “doing business as,” referring to the name you want the public to call your company.