Visit your local county clerk office or secretary of state office in the county or state where you do business. Some states require DBA names to be registered at the county level, while others require it at the state level. Start at the county level; there you will find out if you need...
California treats it as a "doing business as" name, or DBA for short. Before you choose a name for your business, check that no other business is using it in the state. The primary way to do this is by checking thename databases of both the California Secretary of State and county cl...
Note that some states have specific rules regarding company names, such as words that cannot be included in your name. Be sure to check your state’s regulations before committing to a DBA name. File Your DBA Name Application Once you’ve selected a name, you’re ready to file the DBA ...
Generic names can be so unmemorable that building a strong brand around them will be difficult. Names that are too similar to existing businesses might also lead to customer confusion or disputes over trademark infringement with the existing business. To avoid these pitfalls, research existing names...
While there’s no numerical limit to how many DBAs someone can register, it can get expensive if you register multiple names. Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Rhode Island are the only states that don’t require everyone operating under a DBA to register. Still, it’s best to chec...
3. Try a DBA search Sometimes, a limited liability company, corporation, or sole proprietorship may choose to advertise with a name other than the one with which they originally registered. This is known as a DBA, or "doing business as." When business entities go this route, they aren't...
Also known as trade names, assumed names, and fictitious names, DBAs are primarily used for marketing purposes. Any business, whether you’re a sole proprietor, general partnership, LLC, or corporation, can use a DBA to establish its brand, increase brand recognition, and maintain its public ...
When doing research about your own prospective business name, you’ll want to research DBAs as well as legal entity names. Depending on where you plan to register your business, the local laws governing DBA registration and use might vary. Even if a business hasn’t officially registered a ...
However, when we opened our account the bank would not allow us to put D___ Academy on the checking account even though our EIN paperwork showed that our DBA was D___ Academy. We were told we needed to file for a fictitious business name. I’ve tried to do some research as to wha...
Check with your Secretary of State’s Office for specific requirements. Depending upon the state where the business is located, a DBA registration can have other names, such as: Assumed Name Statement Assumed Business Name Certificate Business License Application Fictitious Business Name Statement What...