Register Your DBA Today!

A DBA, "doing business as," or fictitious business name lets you operate your business under a name other than your own legal name or your entity's registered name.

Start Now

Registering a DBA is different in every state. Let us handle the process.

Step 1

Provide your state, business details, and desired DBA

We will check name availability and initiate the correct process based on your state. Some states require filing at the county level.

Get Started

Step 2

We prepare the paperwork and initiate the filing process

Some states require signatures or additional information on the DBA paperwork. We will reach out to you if we require these additions.

Step 3

We file the required paperwork on your behalf and keep you informed while it processes

Once your DBA has processed, we will send you any confirmations received from the state or county.

What is a DBA?

A DBA is a registered public record that connects your legal name to the trade name your business actually uses. It doesn't create a new legal entity, and it doesn't change your tax structure — it simply puts your real name on file next to the name you're operating under, so customers, vendors, and courts can trace one back to the other.

Businesses file a DBA for a number of practical reasons. Sole proprietors often want to operate under a brand name instead of their own personal name, and many banks won't open a business account under anything other than a legal name unless a DBA is on file to back it up. A registered DBA also keeps your personal name off public-facing materials like invoices, contracts, and signage, which matters if you'd rather your business, not you personally, be the name that customers see.

A DBA can be useful beyond day-to-day branding, too. It lets you launch a new product line or location under its own name without going through the process of forming a separate LLC or corporation, and it can satisfy a vendor's or payment processor's verification requirements when they ask to confirm who's actually behind the business. Filing also supports your legal standing to do business under the name you've registered, since it puts your ownership on record and helps you enforce contracts made under that name.

A DBA is not a trademark

Registering a DBA does not give you exclusive rights to your business name. A DBA filing is a matter of public notice and, in many states, legal compliance. It tells the world who owns the business behind the name. It does not stop someone else from using a similar name, and it doesn't function as a trademark.

If you want exclusive, nationwide rights to a name, you'd need a federal trademark through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Some states also offer their own trademark or service mark registration for exclusivity within that state alone. A DBA and a trademark solve two different problems: one tells people who you are, the other protects what you're called. Many businesses file both.

How DBA filing works by state

Where and how you file a DBA depends entirely on your state — there is no single national process. Broadly, most states fall into one of four patterns:

State-only filing

A single state-wide registration, typically handled online through the Secretary of State or an equivalent office. Colorado, Delaware, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, amongst others, all use this model, with no county-level filing required.

County or local-only filing

Some states have no state-wide DBA registry at all — you file directly with a county, parish, or town/city clerk, sometimes in every jurisdiction where you conduct business. States such as Connecticut (town clerk), Massachusetts (city/town clerk), and Nevada (county clerk) follow this pattern.

Split by registrant type

This is the most common structure in the country: sole proprietors and general partnerships file locally with a county clerk or recorder, while corporations, LLCs, and other registered entities file with the state instead. Texas, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Kentucky are examples of the states which split their requirements this way.

Voluntary or non-existent

A handful of states treat trade name registration as optional rather than required, and a few have no formal DBA framework at all. Alabama, Arizona, and Mississippi allow voluntary trade name registration but don't require it to operate. Kansas, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Wisconsin have no dedicated DBA registration process.

Frequently asked questions

What is a DBA and why would my business need one?

A DBA, or "doing business as" registration, lets you operate under a name other than your legal name or your entity's registered name. Businesses use one to build a public brand, open a bank account under a trade name, or launch a new product line without forming a new entity.

Is a DBA the same as a fictitious name, trade name, or assumed name?

Yes — these terms refer to the same type of filing, and which one applies depends on your state's terminology. California and Florida use "fictitious business name," Texas and several others use "assumed name," and states like Colorado and Ohio use "trade name."

Do I file a DBA with the state or the county?

It depends on your state. Some states handle DBA filings entirely at the state level, others require county or town-level filing, and many split the requirement based on whether you're a sole proprietor or a registered entity.

Does a DBA give me exclusive rights to my business name?

No. A DBA is a public notice filing, not a trademark. Exclusive rights to a name come from a federal USPTO trademark or, in some cases, a state trademark registration.

Does every state require DBA registration?

Not exactly. Most states require or offer DBA registration, particularly for sole proprietors and partnerships operating under a name other than their own, but a few states treat it as voluntary and a handful don't have a formal DBA process at all.

How long does a DBA registration last?

Renewal periods vary by state, commonly landing around five years, though some states set shorter or longer terms. Check your state's specific renewal requirement so your registration doesn't lapse.

Can an LLC or corporation file a DBA too?

Yes. Registered entities commonly file DBAs to operate a new product line, brand, or location under a different name without forming a separate legal entity.

What happens if I operate under a name without registering it?

Consequences vary by state, but operating under an unregistered trade name can limit your ability to enforce contracts made under that name, and some states impose fines for noncompliance. Check your state's specific requirements to avoid running into these issues.

How long does DBA processing take?

Processing time depends heavily on your state and filing method. A fully online, state-level filing can sometimes be approved within days, while a mail-in or fax submission may take weeks. Check with your specific filing office for their current processing time before you plan around a firm start date.