An individual or a business entity can obtain one or more DBAs. If you are conducting business in your own name, you are a sole proprietor. If you want to do business under a name other than your legal name, then you can register a DBA.
Who owns a DBA?
Called a Doing Business As (DBA) filing, this action allows your company to legally operate under a trade name, also known as an “assumed” or “fictitious” name. By having a Doing Business As name, it’s possible for sole proprietors and general partners to do business using a name other than the owners’ personal name.
Is Sole proprietorship public?
A sole proprietorship is not an independent business entity, like a corporation. A corporation can establish credit in the name of the business, which ultimately results in a credit record that contains a lot of business information that is accessible to the public.
What do you need to know to register a DBA?
A doing business as name goes by many names. Sometimes it is called a DBA or fictitious name. Other times it is known as a trade or assumed name. These names are all the same in defining a DBA. A DBA is an official registration of your business name.
Can a sole proprietorship register as a DBA?
Unlike sole proprietorships and general partnerships, these business types have already registered their entities and business names with the state. However, any business formed under one of these entities still has the option to register a DBA name.
How can I announce my dBA to the public?
You may be asked by your state or county to announce your DBA by putting an ad in a local newspaper so the public can be made aware of your filing. Payment and filing methods for DBA vary by state/county. Some allow you to pay by debit or credit; some require a money order or cashier’s check.
Can a DBA change the name of a business?
That’s because when you form a business, the legal name of the business defaults to the name of the person or entity that owns the business. That is, unless you register your business as a certain legal entity (more on that below), or if you rename and register your business with a DBA.
