DBA (Doing Business As) — What It Is and How to Register One
A DBA ("doing business as") is a registered operating name that allows your business to use a public-facing name different from its legal name. It doesn't create a new entity — your existing LLC or sole proprietorship remains the legal owner. A DBA is required in most states if you conduct business, sign contracts, or accept payments under any name other than your exact legal entity name. ZenBusiness files DBAs for $95 plus your state's filing fee in 20 states.
What a DBA Is (and Isn't)
A DBA is:
- A registered operating name for your business
- Also called a fictitious name, assumed name, or trade name (all terms are interchangeable — states use different words)
- Required when you operate under any name other than your LLC's legal registered name
- Filed with your state or county, not the federal government
A DBA is NOT:
- A new legal entity — your LLC is still the legal owner
- Liability protection — a DBA provides no separation between you and the business
- Trademark protection — anyone else can register the same DBA in a different jurisdiction
- A separate tax identity — your DBA uses your LLC's existing EIN
Example: If your LLC is "Smith Holdings LLC" but you want to do business as "Smith Consulting," you need to register "Smith Consulting" as a DBA. Your clients interact with "Smith Consulting," but your LLC remains the legal entity behind it.
When You Need a DBA
You need a DBA if you operate under any name that's different from your legal entity name:
| Situation | DBA Required? |
|---|---|
| Sole proprietor using any name other than your personal legal name | ✅ Yes |
| LLC operating under a different name than the legal LLC name | ✅ Yes |
| LLC launching a separate brand or product line | ✅ Yes |
| Using a website domain different from your legal name AND accepting payments under it | ✅ Yes |
| Using a website domain just for marketing (no payments under that name) | Usually not |
| LLC using its exact registered legal name | ❌ No |
| Social media handles only (no contracts or payments) | Usually not |
Many banks require a DBA registration document to open a business bank account under a trade name. Even if your state doesn't technically require it, a DBA is often practically necessary for banking.
DBA vs. LLC vs. Trademark
These three things address different needs and are frequently confused:
| DBA | LLC Formation | Federal Trademark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creates a new legal entity | No | Yes | No |
| Liability protection | No | Yes | No |
| Exclusive name rights | No | State-level only | Yes, nationwide |
| Cost | $95 + state fee (ZenBusiness) | $0 + state fee (ZenBusiness Starter) | $250–$350/class + USPTO |
| Who needs it | Anyone using a non-legal name | Anyone forming a business | Anyone protecting a brand nationally |
| EIN required | No — uses existing EIN | Yes (new EIN) | No |
The right approach for most businesses: Form an LLC (for liability protection) → register a DBA if you operate under a different name → file a trademark if you need nationwide brand protection.
ZenBusiness DBA Filing Service
ZenBusiness handles DBA filings in the following 20 states for $95 + your state's filing fee:
Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah
What's included:
- Name availability search before filing
- State or county-level filing (ZenBusiness determines the correct jurisdiction)
- Preparation and submission of all required paperwork
- Notification when approved
- Optional expedited filing where available
How to get started: Log in at zenbusiness.com → Compliance Center → DBA.
For states not listed above, you'll need to file directly with your state's Secretary of State or county clerk. Processing through ZenBusiness takes 2–3 business days, after which the state's own processing time applies (days to several weeks depending on state).
State-by-State DBA Filing Guide
Filing requirements vary significantly by state — some file at the state level, others at the county level; some require newspaper publication.
| State | File With | Approx. Fee | Renewal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Secretary of State | $30 | 5 years | Online filing available |
| Alaska | Dept. of Commerce | $25 | 5 years | Requires active AK business license |
| Arizona | Secretary of State | $10 | 5 years | Optional but common |
| Arkansas | Secretary of State | $22.50 | No expiration | File stamped copy with county clerk after state |
| California | County Clerk/Recorder | ~$30/county | 5 years | Must publish in newspaper 1x/week for 4 weeks |
| Colorado | Secretary of State | $20 | Annual | Online only; renew annually |
| Connecticut | Town Clerk | $20 | No expiration | No state registry; town level only |
| Delaware | Division of Revenue | $25 | No expiration | New statewide online system since Feb 2026 |
| Florida | Dept. of State (Sunbiz) | $50 | 5 years | Self-certify publication in county newspaper |
| Georgia | Superior Court Clerk | $150–175 | Permanent | Publish 1x/week for 2 weeks in county legal organ |
| Hawaii | DCCA | $50 | 5 years | Form T-1 |
| Idaho | Secretary of State | $25 | No expiration | $20 extra if by mail |
| Illinois | Secretary of State (LLC/Corp); County Clerk (sole prop) | $150 (LLC) | 5 years | Sole props publish 3 weeks |
| Indiana | INBiz | $30 | No expiration | Online via INBiz |
| Iowa | County Recorder | ~$7 | No expiration | Trade Name Report with county |
| Kansas | N/A | N/A | N/A | No DBA required for domestic businesses |
| Kentucky | Secretary of State | $20 | 5 years | Certificate of Assumed Name |
| Louisiana | Secretary of State | $75 | 10 years | |
| Maine | Secretary of State (LLC/Corp); optional for sole props | $125 | Perpetual | |
| Maryland | SDAT | $25 | 5 years | $75 expedited |
| Massachusetts | City/Town Clerk | ~$50 | 4 years | No state registry |
| Michigan | LARA (LLC/Corp); County Clerk (sole prop) | $25 (LLC) | 5 years | |
| Minnesota | Secretary of State | $50 online | Annual | Publish in legal newspaper 2 consecutive issues; free annual renewal |
| Mississippi | N/A | N/A | N/A | No DBA required for domestic businesses |
| Missouri | Secretary of State | $7 online | 5 years | |
| Montana | Secretary of State | $20 | 5 years | |
| Nebraska | Secretary of State | $100 | 10 years | Publish 2 weeks in county newspaper; file proof within 45 days |
| Nevada | County Clerk | ~$20 | 5 years | County level only; no state registry |
| New Hampshire | Secretary of State | $50 | 5 years | |
| New Jersey | Division of Revenue (LLC/Corp); County Clerk (sole prop) | $50 (LLC) | 5 years | |
| New Mexico | N/A | N/A | N/A | No DBA required; optional trademark filing available |
| New York | Dept. of State (LLC/Corp) + County Clerk | $25 + county fees | N/A | County fees: $25/NYC county; $10 elsewhere |
| North Carolina | County Register of Deeds | $26 | No expiration | One filing covers state |
| North Dakota | Secretary of State | $25 | 5 years | |
| Ohio | Secretary of State | $39 | 5 years | Trade Name (exclusive) or Fictitious Name (non-exclusive) |
| Oklahoma | Secretary of State | $25 | 10 years | |
| Oregon | Secretary of State | $50 | 2 years | Shortest renewal cycle |
| Pennsylvania | Dept. of State | $70 | No expiration | Advertise in two newspapers |
| Rhode Island | Secretary of State (LLC/Corp); City/Town Clerk (sole prop) | $50 | No expiration | |
| South Carolina | N/A | N/A | N/A | SC does not register DBAs |
| South Dakota | Secretary of State | $10 | No expiration | |
| Tennessee | N/A | N/A | N/A | No state requirement for domestic entities |
| Texas | Secretary of State + County Clerk (LLC/Corp) | $25 state + ~$15 county | 10 years | Sole props file county only |
| Utah | Division of Corporations | $22 | 3 years | |
| Vermont | Town/City Clerk | ~$10 | No expiration | No state registry |
| Virginia | State Corporation Commission | $10 | No expiration | Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name |
| Washington | Dept. of Revenue | $5 | Annual | Add via Business License Application |
| West Virginia | Secretary of State | $25 | No expiration | |
| Wisconsin | N/A | N/A | N/A | WI does not register DBAs |
| Wyoming | Secretary of State | $100 | 10 years | Renew in final 6 months for $50 |
Maintaining and Renewing Your DBA
Most DBAs expire and must be renewed — failure to renew can mean losing the right to use that name legally.
Renewal periods by state range from 1–10 years. ZenBusiness can assist with DBA renewals when the time comes. Key things to track:
- Renewal deadline (varies by state — use your dashboard or set a calendar reminder)
- Any publication requirements (California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Georgia require newspaper publication)
- Fee updates (some states change fees at renewal)
If your DBA lapses without renewal, you generally need to re-register it — and someone else could register it in the interim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my LLC need a DBA if my LLC name is different from my brand?
Yes, if you publicly use the brand name for transactions. For example, if your LLC is "Smith Holdings LLC" but your website, invoices, and signage say "Smith Consulting," you're doing business under a name that doesn't match your LLC — a DBA is required in most states.
Can I have multiple DBAs under one LLC?
Yes. There's no legal limit on the number of DBAs an LLC can register. Each DBA requires its own filing and fee. Multiple DBAs are useful if you run different brands, products, or service lines under one LLC — e.g., a real estate LLC could have separate DBAs for its property management and renovation arms.
Does a DBA protect my business name from use by others?
No. A DBA is a local or state registration — it doesn't give you exclusive rights to the name. Another business in a different county or state could register the same DBA. For exclusive name rights, you need a federal trademark registration. See Trademark Registration for the full guide.
Can I use a trademarked name as my DBA?
No. State DBA approval doesn't mean you have rights to use a name that's already federally trademarked. If you register a DBA with a name that infringes an existing trademark, the trademark holder can still send a cease-and-desist letter even though your DBA was approved by the state.
Do I need a new EIN for my DBA?
No. Your DBA uses the same EIN as the legal entity (LLC or corporation) that owns it. A DBA doesn't create a new tax identity. If you're a sole proprietor without an EIN, your DBA uses your Social Security Number unless the situation otherwise requires an EIN.
Can I open a business bank account under my DBA?
Yes. Most banks require your DBA registration certificate to open an account under the DBA name. Bring your DBA registration documents along with your Articles of Organization and EIN letter when you go to open the account.
What happens if I operate under a DBA without registering it?
In states that require registration, operating under an unregistered name can lead to:
- Fines and penalties
- Inability to open a business bank account under that name
- Inability to enter or enforce contracts under that name
- Problems with business licensing and permit applications
File your DBA through ZenBusiness: Log in to your ZenBusiness dashboard, go to the Compliance Center, and select DBA. Or contact support for guidance on your state.