Business Name Filings – DBAs

Overview of Business Name Filings – DBAs

A "DBA" is an acronym for "doing business as" and is also referred to as a fictitious business name (FBN), trade name, or assumed name. DBA registrations are required when the business name being used is different from the owner’s or entity's legal name. Below are some examples of when a DBA is required:

• If John Smith starts a sole-proprietorship called "Donut Factory", he must file a DBA because his actual legal name does not appear in the business name. However, if he decided to use the business name "John Smith's Donuts" then DBA registration is generally not required, but is still recommended.
• If Jane Doe and Janet Smith start a partnership called "Top Notch Consulting", they must file a DBA because their actual legal name does not appear in the business name. However, if they decided to use the business name "Doe & Smith Consulting Services" then DBA registration is generally not required, but is still recommended.
• If Widgets Investments Inc. (the corporation’s legal name) is created to run a restaurant named "Hamburger World", then a DBA must be filed. However, if Widgets Investments Inc. only uses their legal name "Widgets Investments Inc." to conduct business, then DBA registration is generally not required, but is still recommended.

Even if you are exempt, filing a DBA is still recommended because most financial institutions will not open a business bank account until they receive proof that a DBA is properly registered. In addition to the filing, some states also require that the DBA be legally published in a local court approved newspaper. The legal publication is intended to provide legal notice to the general public of the recently filed business name.

My Legal Depot can process your DBA promptly and accurately at affordable rates. Our experienced staff will review your questionnaire for errors, prepare the necessary documents, file them with the appropriate government office, and if required legally publish the business name filing in a local court approved newspaper.

Filing and publishing a DBA can be time consuming and expensive. My Legal Depot has registered Legal Document Assistants (LDAs) that have experience in preparing and filing thousands of legal documents. Let us prepare, file and publish your business name registration promptly and accurately at affordable rates.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding DBAs.

Click here for more information about your state’s DBA Laws.