DBAs can be called many things in different states, counties, cities and parishes. DBA stands for Doing Business As, the term is also referred to as Trade Name, Assume Business Name (ABN), or a fictitious business names, regardless of what a DBA is called in your area, they term for the same thing, doing business as another name other than your own, or the legal name of your business entity. With a DBA you can be paid in the DBA name, rather than your own name, which looks more professional.

A good example is, if someone was to open up a store and calls it "Michael's Skateboards," any payment the owner receives will have to be made in his own name, so if someone was to pay with a check, it would have to be made out to the owners name. Therefore if Micheal Smith is doing business as "Michael's Skateboards" without having filed for a DBA and having a bank account which is associated with "Michael's Skateboards" he will always have to accept checks and charge customers under Michael Smith, his legal name. It always appears more professional when you are running your business under a recognized name.

Filing for a DBA is often the first step people take when going into business, it gives them a feel on what running a business is like. DBAs do not hold any liability protection like corporations or LLCs, but sometimes a business' entire existence is through a DBA. We help form DBAs in many states, please see our DBA page for more information, if you have any questions about forming a DBA, LLC or corporation, please give us a call at 866-999-8200.

You may wonder why some people choose to file for a DBA, or doing business as instead of a corporation or LLC. There are many reasons why people feel that filing a DBA is best for them, and one of the main reasons is because it is easier to handle than an LLC or Corporation though you can still have a bank account and do business as another name than your own. What a DBA, sometimes called a trade name or assumed business name, does not provide, is liability protection. For businesses just starting out they might not feel they need the liability protection that a corporation or LLC provides and just want to file the simplest form. When you file for a DBA, trade name, or assumed business name, you're not creating a separate entity but rather an alternate name, other than your own that you're allowed to do business as, sort of like an alter ego. While an LLC and Corporation provide that same privilege they are not as easy to run as a DBA. DBA filings are usually done at the county level so we currently help in filing for a DBA in Delaware, a DBA in Arizona, a California DBA, Nevada DBA, and DBA filings in Pennsylvania and we are adding states all the time. If you have any questions about DBA filings, LLC filings or corporation filings don't hesitate to contact us at 866-999-8200.

When you start a business you'll have a lot of people telling you what to do and what not to do, it's important to realize where this advise is coming from, if the person telling you not to start the business, because most small businesses fail, has never tried to start a business, who are they to tell you what you should or shouldn't do? The main thing is to focus on what you set out to do and try not to steer far from that goal. A lot of people will also tell you not to worry about anything and everything will work out, while you shouldn't kill yourself by overworking, part of owning your own business is worrying about things, that's what makes it yours, and when you're focusing on the right areas of the business your business should succeed.

If you're looking to start a new business, whether that be a corporation, limited liability company or file for a DBA, we can help.

A doing business as or DBA as it is commonly known is a filing thats done at the county clerks office in order to do business under a different name than yourself or a corporation.  The DBA filing was created to prevent any confusion among the public as to the true owner of the business.  This allows the public to quickly search who is the true owner of a company.  It is intended for the protection of the general public. 

The DBA is also commonly known as a fictitious name, assumed name, and trade name, it all depends on the county and state.  However, the names are used interchangeably.  Filing a DBA is done with the county clerk however some states file DBA's at the Secretary of State.  Keep in mind that the name availability requirements are different from county to county and state to state.  Some states and counties allow for muliple names of the same company name and most states do not.  The DBA once filed must undergo a publication requirement.  This publication of the DBA must be done once a week for 4 weeks.  Some states don't have a publication requirement and some don't have the 4 consecutive week rule.  You must check with the county clerk or Secretary of State for requirements.  Once filed, the DBA typically lasts for 5 years in most counties and states.  Prior to the expriation of the DBA, you must renew the name at the same govenmental agency where you obtained your DBA.  Failure to do so may result in foreiture of the name. 

Any business person or business entity can file for a DBA.  Requirements are that the name be available and that you do a publication.  The same owner can file multiple DBA's.  It is important in the case of business entities who file for a DBA to make sure that the DBA is owned by the corporation and not an individual. 

Form a DBA today or get more DBA info.