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DBA filing · West Virginia

How to File a DBA in West Virginia

In West Virginia, a DBA is registered at the state level. Register with the Secretary of State — One Stop Business Portal for $25.

Check my business nameSee how to file

A DBA — short for “doing business as,” also called a fictitious business name, assumed name, or trade name — lets you legally operate under a name that isn't your own legal name or your company's exact registered name. In West Virginia, a DBA is registered at the state level.

Here's exactly where and how to register your DBA in West Virginia — and what it costs — so your filing is accepted the first time.

How to file a DBA in West Virginia

  1. Confirm your name is available. Run a quick pre-check on our name-search tool, then verify it against the official West Virginia records so you don't pay to file a name that's taken.
  2. Complete the West Virginia filing. Register with the Secretary of State — One Stop Business Portal. The filing fee is $25.
  3. Handle any extra steps. Trade name (DBA) filed via the One Stop portal; $0 for sole proprietors, $25 for entities.
  4. Keep it active. Your registration lasts None — we'll remind you before it lapses.
Where it's filed: State filing — Secretary of State — One Stop Business Portal.

Two ways to file in West Virginia

DBAform is a resource either way — do it yourself with the official link, or let us handle it.

Do it yourself — free

Use the official West Virginia link and the details on this page to file it yourself at no charge.

Open the official West Virginia filing page →

Done for you — via LegalZoom

Prefer to hand it off? File through LegalZoom, our recommended service (plus the $25 state fee).

File through LegalZoom →

Rather have it done for you?

Don't want to navigate the Secretary of State — One Stop Business Portal yourself? File through LegalZoom, our recommended filing service — they prepare the paperwork and submit it to the correct office (from $99 plus the $25 state fee). DBAform may earn a commission if you use our link, at no extra cost to you.

File through LegalZoom →Read the FAQ

West Virginia DBA — frequently asked questions

Where do I file a DBA in West Virginia? +

In West Virginia, a DBA is filed with the Secretary of State — One Stop Business Portal. This is a state-level filing.

How much does a DBA cost in West Virginia? +

West Virginia's government filing fee is $25. You can file it yourself and pay only that fee, or file through LegalZoom (from $99 plus the state fee).

Does a DBA in West Virginia expire or need to be renewed? +

A West Virginia DBA does not expire and needs no renewal.

Does West Virginia require newspaper publication for a DBA? +

No. West Virginia does not require you to publish a notice of your DBA in a newspaper.

Do I have to file a DBA in West Virginia? +

If you operate under any name other than your own legal name (as a sole proprietor) or your business's exact registered name (as an LLC or corporation), West Virginia requires you to register it. If you use only your legal name, you generally don't need one.

Is a DBA the same as an LLC in West Virginia? +

No. A DBA is only a registered trade name -- it doesn't create a legal entity or protect your personal assets. An LLC does both. Many owners form an LLC and then file a DBA under it.

Other states

Filing in more than one state, or not sure this is the right one? Browse every jurisdiction or jump to a popular state:

DBA in CaliforniaDBA in TexasDBA in FloridaDBA in New YorkDBA in IllinoisDBA in GeorgiaAll 50 states →

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