What is a DBA Trade Name?

DBA Trade Name DBATradeName

All businesses using a Trade Name (DBA) must obtain this.
Starts @ $119 Except Where Additional Fees are Indicated.
*Select State: * If your state does not appear in the list, click here

What is a DBA Business Name?

A DBA is short for "Doing Business As".
Example: Al Pacino starts a business and names it "Rob 'em & Cheat 'em". Al Pacino is Doing Business As (DBA) "Rob 'em & Cheat 'em". Because "Rob 'em & Cheat 'em" is not his own personal name, namely, Al Pacino, he must register it with a DBA business name registration.
A DBA business name is also called a fictitious business name, an assumed business name, a trade firm name, or a business certificate.

Depending on what state your business is located, all of the above are certificate names of the registration of a business trade name.
Do I Need a DBA?
You may need a DBA.
Example: Sole Prop. consultant John Smith is doing business as (DBA) "John's ExperTax Consulting ". John MUST register a DBA Business name certificate (DBA).
Similarly, if you had formed "Super Company, LLC" and were doing business as "Exquisite Things," "Exquisite Things," would be a trade name and you would need to register it.
NOTE: A DBA Trade Name is NOT a Business License, a Federal Tax ID Number, a State Employer Tax ID EIN, an LLC , or a Corporation.
Package: Preliminary business name search (where required - fee is included in DBA price) We complete and file your DBA application - fee is included in DBA price.
We Publish your business name (if required in your state- fee is included in DBA price).
We File your proof of publication (if required in your state- fee is included in DBA price).
For example, in Los Angeles, to file, publish, and file a proof of publication costs $119.
How Can I Get a DBA Business Name?

You can obtain it, here, online.

1. Click On The Get It Now Link Below

2. Submit Your Business Information

3. Then Select State & Then Select DBA Business Name

Get It Now

DBA Video
Corp. vs. LLC vs. DBA Video

Who is Required to File a DBA?
Users of a trade name other than their last name or the corporation's or LLC's legal name.

Thus, if you use a trade name to conduct business, you will need to register the trade name, legally publish it, and file a proof of publication as well as obtain the DBA certificate.

Businesses using a name other than the owner's surname, or the LLC or corporation name, are required to register a DBA / Fictitious Business Name Certificate.
Note that you can incorporate or form an LLC instead of filing a DBA because the LLC or the Corporation name is not a fictitious name but the legal name of the corporation or the LLC.
Thus, if you use a name such as "John Doe" only, you don't need to register a trade name, however, see examples below that even if you use your own name, you still need to register a DBA doing business as.
If you are a partnership, you need to register the partnership name as well regardless of the name.
For example, the partnership name "Nathan Jones," must be registered even if it is the name of the one of the partners because more than one owner is registering under that name.
Here are examples of sole proprietors that must register a DBA Doing Business As name: "John Doe & Associates," (because "Associates" connotes additional owners) "Spick & Span Cleaning Service," "Bob's Online Widgets," "IBN Enterprises,"etc.
If you are an LLC or Corporation you don't need a DBA; however, if you use a trade name other than the name of the corporation or LLC, you will need to register a DBA.
Examples of corporations or LLCs that must register a trade name:
Example #1 "Microsoft Corporation" conducting business as "Kirkland," must register the name "Kirkland" under Microsoft corporation.
Example #2 If an LLC called "Jones, LLC" is doing business as "Los Angeles Painters," it needs to register the "Los Angeles Painters" Doing Business As name.
State law even requires you to operate your business under a filed trade name even if a variation of your Legal business name is used, and even if used for a short time.
DBA Video

Corp. vs. LLC vs. DBA Video

DBA Trade Name Fictitious Business Name - In most states we send a representative to your home or office to have it signed and notarized.

In most cases, we can file the DBA on the same day but, normally, a DBA filing takes an average of 3-5 Business Days - could take longer in some states.

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