What exactly is doing business as (dba)?

A DBA (Doing Business As), also called a Fictitious Name, Trade Name, or Assumed Name, is a registered alternative name under which a business operates. DBAs allow sole proprietors to operate under a brand name instead of their personal legal name, and allow LLCs/corporations to market under multiple brand names.

When was doing business as (dba) created?

DBA registration requirements derive from English common law principles of name registration. US states began requiring DBA registration in the early 20th century, primarily to give consumers and creditors a way to identify the actual party behind a business name. Some states require county-level DBA filings; others require state-level filings.

Do all businesses need doing business as (dba)?

It depends. Some concepts apply universally; others only in specific situations. The above sections explain when this is relevant.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary by state, complexity, and entity type. File.Business adds No state-fee markup on top of any state or federal pass-through fees.

Can I handle this myself or do I need professional help?

Many people DIY successfully. Professional help is recommended for complex situations, multi-entity structures, or when mistakes would be costly. File.Business splits the difference: self-service tools backed by specialists.

What does DBA Filing Service: File a Doing Business As Name involve?

This page covers DBA Filing Service: File a Doing Business As Name — including what it is, who needs it, how to file or apply, typical costs, deadlines, and how File.Business handles it for you end-to-end.

How much does DBA Filing Service: File a Doing Business As Name cost with File.Business?

Pricing is shown on this page. We always disclose state filing fees separately from our service fee, with no surprise add-ons at checkout.

How long does DBA Filing Service: File a Doing Business As Name take?

Turnaround depends on the state agency. Standard processing typically takes a few business days; rush options are available where the agency offers expedited service.

Is this service available in all 50 states?

File.Business handles filings across all 50 US states and DC. State-specific rules, fees, and forms are built into the workflow so you don't have to research them yourself.

Home/Services/File a DBA

Trade Name Registration

County, city, and state-level filings

Operate under any name you like. Without forming a new company.

A DBA lets an existing LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor do business under a different name. We confirm whether your state or county requires the filing, prepare the paperwork, and file at the right office.

File your DBA

Pay only the state fee 60-day money-back Cancel anytime

220,000+

Businesses formed

4.9 / 5

From 8,200 reviews

A+

BBB rated, SOC 2 II

Missed-filing penalties

What it is

File a DBA, explained plainly.

A DBA, also called a fictitious business name, assumed name, or trade name, is a name your business uses publicly that is different from its legal name. If your LLC is registered as "Sequoia Properties LLC" but you market apartments as "Bayside Rentals", you need a DBA for the second name.

A DBA does not create a new entity. It does not change your tax structure, ownership, or liability. It is simply a public registration that tells your state or county "this business uses this other name". Banks usually require a DBA filing before they will let you accept payments or open an account under the alternate name.

Where you file depends on your state. About half of US states file DBAs at the Secretary of State level; the other half file at the county or town clerk level. A handful (Arizona, Nebraska, others) do both. We confirm the correct office for your jurisdiction before filing.

Who this is for

Common situations that need this filing.

Sole proprietorsRun a side business under a name that is not your legal name (which is your own name by default for sole proprietors).

Multi-brand operatorsOne legal entity, multiple consumer-facing brands. Each public-facing name needs its own DBA in most states.

E-commerce sellersSelling on Amazon, Etsy, or Shopify under a store name that differs from your LLC name.

Real estate investorsProperty holding LLCs that market under a portfolio name instead of the entity name on title.

FranchiseesFranchisee LLC operating under the franchise system name (typically required by the franchisor).

Rebrands without restructureSame company, new public name. A DBA is the fast path without changing the legal entity name.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

How it works

Four steps. We handle everything else.

Step 1

Name checkWe verify the trade name is available at the right level for your state.

Step 2

PrepareWe complete the assumed-name form, signed and notarized where required.

Step 3

FileSubmitted to the Secretary of State or county clerk that has jurisdiction.

Step 4

ConfirmedYou receive the stamped certificate. Banks accept it for new account naming.

Side by side

How we compare.

	LegalZoom	ZenBusiness	Bizee	File.Business
Service fee	$99	$99	$0–99	$99
Jurisdiction confirmation	manual	manual	limited	auto
Publication arranged	extra	extra	extra	included
Renewal monitoring	no	limited	limited	yes
Document storage	PDF only	no	limited	vault

Based on publicly listed pricing and feature pages as of 2026. Competitor names are trademarks of their respective owners.

FAQ

Common questions.

Is a DBA the same as forming an LLC?

No. A DBA is just a public name registration. It does not give you liability protection, does not create a separate entity, and does not change your taxes. If you want liability protection, form an LLC. A DBA is what you add on top to operate under a name different from the entity name.

Where is a DBA filed: state or county?

It depends on your state. Roughly 25 states file at the state (Secretary of State) level. The rest file at the county or town clerk level. A few states require filings at both. We confirm the correct office for your specific jurisdiction before we file.

Do I have to publish my DBA in a newspaper?

Some states (most notably New York, New Jersey, Florida, and parts of Arizona) require a published notice of the assumed name in a designated newspaper. We arrange the publication where required and include the affidavit of publication with your filing.

How long does a DBA last?

In most states, 5 years. A few states (California, Texas, New York) have different renewal cycles. We monitor your DBA expiration date and remind you well before it lapses.

Can multiple businesses share one DBA?

No. Each DBA must be tied to one filer. If two LLCs want to use the same trade name, both must file separately and the second filing may be rejected if it conflicts with the first.

Does a DBA protect the name from others using it?

No. A DBA filing puts your use of the name on the public record, but it does not give you exclusive rights. For that, you need a federal trademark registration with the USPTO.

Can I file a DBA before forming my LLC?

Yes, but you would file as a sole proprietor. If you later form an LLC, you will need to refile the DBA under the LLC. We typically recommend forming the LLC first if it is in your plans.

How fast can a DBA be filed?

For state-level filings, 1 to 10 business days depending on the state. For county-level filings, often same-day or next-day. Publication requirements (where applicable) add 2 to 6 weeks.

Will my bank accept the DBA filing?

Yes. The stamped certificate is the document banks require to open or rename an account under the trade name. We deliver it in PDF and store the original digitally in your Document Vault.

Things that go with this filing.

Form an LLCIf you have not formed an entity yet, start here.→ Trademark RegistrationA DBA does not protect your name. A federal trademark does.→ AmendmentsChanging your entity name? File an amendment instead of a DBA.→

Start your DBA in about 5 minutes.

Tell us a few details. We file at the right office. You receive the stamped certificate in your dashboard.

Start your DBA Talk to a specialist

Pay only the state fee 60-day money-back State fee at cost Cancel anytime

Why File.Business

Built on the same infrastructure used by 220,000+ businesses.

SOC 2 Type II audited

Independent annual security audit covering access control, change management, incident response, and data handling. Current report on request.

All 51 US jurisdictions

Every state plus DC plus Puerto Rico - direct filings, not third-party reseller. We hold registered-agent qualifications in every state we operate.

Deadline guarantee

If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. Specific to each plan and the filings it includes.

4.9 from 8,200+ verified reviews

Independently verified by Trustpilot + Google + our own NPS infrastructure. Customer success team within reach by email, chat, or phone.

60-day money-back promise

Change your mind in the first 60 days and we refund our service fee in full. State filing fees pass through at cost and are non-refundable once paid to the state.

E&O insured

Errors and omissions coverage protects you from service errors. Carrier and certificate available on request for enterprise clients.

Bundle & save

Recommended add-ons

Most customers add these to keep their business compliant year-round.

Trademark Search & Filing

Recommended

Lock down the brand name federally before someone else does.

$199 one-time Add →

Registered Agent

Required for any registered business entity in your state.

$99 /year Add →

Compliance Monitoring

Track DBA renewal dates by state - most expire every 5 years.

$19 /month Add →

Why File.Business

Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.

Trust you can verify

SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.

A compliance partner, not a transaction

Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.

Premium experience competitors cannot match

Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state or federal filings. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.

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