DBAform
A DBA — “doing business as” — is the official way to operate under a name that isn't your own legal name or your company's registered name.
A DBA stands for “doing business as.” It's also called a fictitious business name, an assumed name, or a trade name depending on the state. Registering a DBA puts the public on notice that a particular person or company is operating a business under that name.
For example, if Jane Smith runs a bakery called “Sunrise Breads,” she is Jane Smith doing business as Sunrise Breads. The DBA is what lets her open a bank account, sign contracts, and market under the bakery's name rather than her own.
A DBA is not a business entity. It doesn't create a corporation or LLC and it doesn't provide personal liability protection. If protecting your personal assets matters, you may want to form an LLC or corporation and then file a DBA under it. A DBA also isn't a trademark — it doesn't grant nationwide exclusive rights to the name.
Where you file depends entirely on your state and business type — some file with the Secretary of State, others with a county or town clerk. Use our 50-state registry to see the exact office, fee, and renewal term for your jurisdiction, or let DBAform file it for you for a flat $99.