[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"page-\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Fdba":3},{"type":4,"data":5},"product",{"product_name":6,"slug":7,"category_slug":8,"order_type":9,"product_version_slug":10,"preview":11,"is_previewable":12,"related_products":13,"related_articles":39,"breadcrumbs":72,"productName":6,"productDescription":-1,"productVersionSlug":10,"localeId":-1,"landerSlug":7,"categorySlug":8,"_cmsSource":78,"hero":79,"quickLinks":97,"page_body":98,"meta_information":344,"sidebar_ad":348,"disclaimer":11,"hero_new":350,"stateSlug":84},"DBA","dba","business-services","BusinessService","dba-002","",false,[14,18,21,24,27,30,33,36],{"product_name":15,"category":16,"link":17},"Registered Agent","Business Services","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Fregistered-agent",{"product_name":19,"category":16,"link":20},"LegalNature+","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Flegalnature+",{"product_name":22,"category":16,"link":23},"Employer Identification Number","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Femployer-identification-number",{"product_name":25,"category":16,"link":26},"Beneficial Ownership Information Report","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Fbeneficial-ownership-information-report",{"product_name":28,"category":16,"link":29},"Foreign Entity","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Fforeign-entity",{"product_name":31,"category":16,"link":32},"License Research","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Flicense-research",{"product_name":34,"category":16,"link":35},"S Corporation Tax Form","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Fs-corporation-tax-form-irs-form",{"product_name":37,"category":16,"link":38},"Certified Copy","\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services\u002Fcertified-copy",[40,44,48,52,56,60,64,68],{"title":41,"description":42,"link":43},"Understanding Remote Online Notarization (RON)","Remote online notarization (RON) represents one of the most significant technological advances in the legal documentation field since the adoption of the notary public system itself. This innovation allows individuals to have their documents notarized through a secure video conference rather than meeting a notary in person, fundamentally changing how we ...","\u002Fguides\u002Funderstanding-remote-online-notarization",{"title":45,"description":46,"link":47},"Guide to Involuntary Dissolution Causes, Consequences, and Prevention Strategies for Business Owners","When you form a business entity such as a corporation or limited liability company, you create a separate legal person that exists independently from its owners. These entity structures provide valuable benefits including limited liability protection, tax advantages, and enhanced credibility. However, maintaining these benefits requires ongoing compliance with ...","\u002Fguides\u002Finvoluntary-dissolution-causes-consequences-and-prevention-strategies-for-business-owners",{"title":49,"description":50,"link":51},"The Documents You Need to Buy a New Home","Purchasing your first home can be an extremely intimidating process. You are confronted by many terms that you may not understand, and you may not realize how many necessary steps there are in the process. To make matters worse, everyone else,...","\u002Fguides\u002Fdocuments-you-need-to-purchase-your-new-home",{"title":53,"description":54,"link":55},"How to Create an Employee Handbook","LegalNature's employee handbook is designed to help you create comprehensive, state-specific employment policies that are customized to your company's needs. The instructions below may help clarify specific questions you have while creating...","\u002Fguides\u002Fhow-to-create-an-employee-handbook",{"title":57,"description":58,"link":59},"The Key Elements of a Real Estate Purchase Agreement","A purchase agreement is an essential step in the real estate process that outlines prices and terms for real estate transactions. Every element of the sale is covered, from earnest money requirements to well disclosures. The goal is to protect...","\u002Fguides\u002Fthe-key-elements-of-a-real-estate-purchase-agreement",{"title":61,"description":62,"link":63},"Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know about Non-Disclosure Agreements","Do you think you need a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect your business ideas? Do you or a business partner want one in place before you team up? You may find that not everyone is excited about or willing to sign an NDA. To understand why, you need to understand how NDAs work along with what happens if someone violates an NDA. What Is a Non-","\u002Fguides\u002Feverything-entrepreneurs-need-to-know-about-non-disclosure-agreements",{"title":65,"description":66,"link":67},"Can board members be paid as W-2 employees?","Although it is legal to have board members that are also paid as employees, it is often not in the best interest of the nonprofit and can lead to potential conflicts of interest between the person’s duties to act in the nonprofit’s best interest as a board member and his or her self-interest as an employee. For this reason, the vast majority of boar","\u002Fguides\u002Fcan-board-members-be-paid-as-w-2-employees",{"title":69,"description":70,"link":71},"Articles of Incorporation New Mexico","To form a corporation in New Mexico, you must file articles of incorporation. The form is customizable. More information about corporate formation can be accessed through the website of the New Mexico Secretary of State. The articles of incorporation must include the following information: Name of the corporation Type of entity Corporate purpose Cor","\u002Fguides\u002Fnew-mexico-corporation",[73,76],{"label":74,"link":75},"All Documents","\u002Flegal-documents",{"label":16,"link":77},"\u002Fcategories\u002Fbusiness-services","payload",{"landerVariant":80,"headline":81,"headlineAccent":82,"subtitle":83,"legacySubtitleHtml":84,"checkmarkText":84,"desktopImage":85,"mobileImage":84,"desktopImageUrl":84,"mobileImageUrl":84,"ctaType":96,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84},"modular","Register Your DBA ","Today!","A DBA, "doing business as," or fictitious business name lets you operate your business under a name other than your own legal name or your entity's registered name.",null,{"id":86,"alt":84,"updatedAt":87,"createdAt":88,"url":89,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":90,"mimeType":91,"filesize":92,"width":93,"height":94,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},315,"2026-08-19T12:54:14.244Z","2026-08-19T12:54:14.072Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002Fdba-hero.png","dba-hero.png","image\u002Fpng",1226788,1143,1251,50,"business-name-form",[],[99,104,129,152,171,173,227,233,235,337],{"id":100,"pixels":101,"color":102,"anchorId":84,"blockName":84,"blockType":103},"6a7d700faa56b4dc55610684","50px","white","extra-space",{"id":105,"heading":106,"legacyDescription":84,"style":107,"showStepNumber":108,"columns":109,"alignment":110,"anchorId":84,"padding":111,"blockName":84,"items":112,"blockType":127,"visibility":128},"6a7ca10cf4b7604968389095","Registering a DBA is different in every state. Let us handle the process.","white-background",true,"3","center","medium",[113,119,123],{"id":114,"headline":115,"legacyHtml":116,"svgIcon":84,"ctaText":117,"ctaLink":84,"backgroundColor":118,"ctaStyle":84},"6a7ca15df4b7604968389096","Provide your state, business details, and desired DBA","We will check name availability and initiate the correct process based on your state. Some states require filing at the county level.","Get Started","light-grey",{"id":120,"headline":121,"legacyHtml":122,"svgIcon":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"backgroundColor":118,"ctaStyle":84},"6a7ca1a7f4b7604968389097","We prepare the paperwork and initiate the filing process","Some states require signatures or additional information on the DBA paperwork. We will reach out to you if we require these additions.",{"id":124,"headline":125,"legacyHtml":126,"svgIcon":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"backgroundColor":118,"ctaStyle":84},"6a7ca210f4b7604968389098","We file the required paperwork on your behalf and keep you informed while it processes","Once your DBA has processed, we will send you any confirmations received from the state or county.","icon-boxes",{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"id":130,"heading":84,"headingSize":131,"legacyDescription":84,"style":102,"contentWidth":131,"alignment":132,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"anchorId":84,"padding":111,"blockName":84,"items":133,"blockType":150,"visibility":151},"6a7ca2a8f4b7604968389099","default","left",[134],{"id":135,"headline":136,"legacyHtml":137,"image":138,"imageUrl":84,"ctaText":11,"ctaLink":84,"alignImage":132,"backgroundColor":118,"imageFit":148,"headlineSize":149},"6a7ca2adf4b760496838909a","What is a DBA?","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>A DBA is a registered public record that connects your legal name to the trade name your business actually uses.\u003C\u002Fstrong> It doesn't create a new legal entity, and it doesn't change your tax structure — it simply puts your real name on file next to the name you're operating under, so customers, vendors, and courts can trace one back to the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Businesses file a DBA for a number of practical reasons. Sole proprietors often want to operate under a brand name instead of their own personal name, and many banks won't open a business account under anything other than a legal name unless a DBA is on file to back it up. A registered DBA also keeps your personal name off public-facing materials like invoices, contracts, and signage, which matters if you'd rather your business, not you personally, be the name that customers see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>A DBA can be useful beyond day-to-day branding, too. It lets you launch a new product line or location under its own name without going through the process of forming a separate LLC or corporation, and it can satisfy a vendor's or payment processor's verification requirements when they ask to confirm who's actually behind the business. Filing also supports your legal standing to do business under the name you've registered, since it puts your ownership on record and helps you enforce contracts made under that name.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"id":139,"alt":84,"updatedAt":140,"createdAt":141,"url":142,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":143,"mimeType":144,"filesize":145,"width":146,"height":147,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},309,"2026-08-13T08:20:33.689Z","2026-08-13T08:20:33.586Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002Fwoman%20package.jpg","woman package.jpg","image\u002Fjpeg",1389392,1482,1911,"cover","large","boxed-content",{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"id":153,"heading":84,"headingSize":131,"legacyDescription":84,"style":102,"contentWidth":131,"alignment":132,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"anchorId":84,"padding":111,"blockName":84,"items":154,"blockType":150,"visibility":170},"6a7ca40bd91c650a1f7c4bdf",[155],{"id":156,"headline":157,"legacyHtml":158,"image":159,"imageUrl":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"alignImage":168,"backgroundColor":169,"imageFit":148,"headlineSize":149},"6a7ca416d91c650a1f7c4be0","A DBA is not a trademark","Registering a DBA does not give you exclusive rights to your business name. A DBA filing is a matter of public notice and, in many states, legal compliance. It tells the world who owns the business behind the name. It does not stop someone else from using a similar name, and it doesn't function as a trademark.\n\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\nIf you want exclusive, nationwide rights to a name, you'd need a federal trademark through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Some states also offer their own trademark or service mark registration for exclusivity within that state alone. A DBA and a trademark solve two different problems: one tells people who you are, the other protects what you're called. Many businesses file both.",{"id":160,"alt":84,"updatedAt":161,"createdAt":162,"url":163,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":164,"mimeType":144,"filesize":165,"width":166,"height":167,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},310,"2026-08-13T08:43:21.394Z","2026-08-13T08:43:21.276Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002Fbusiness%20sign.jpg","business sign.jpg",2134377,1503,1935,"right","dark-blue",{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"id":172,"pixels":101,"color":102,"anchorId":84,"blockName":84,"blockType":103},"6a7d7031aa56b4dc5561068b",{"id":174,"heading":175,"headingSize":131,"legacyDescription":176,"style":177,"contentWidth":131,"alignment":132,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"anchorId":84,"padding":149,"blockName":84,"items":178,"blockType":150,"visibility":226},"6a7d701caa56b4dc55610685","How DBA filing works by state","Where and how you file a DBA depends entirely on your state — there is no single national process. Broadly, most states fall into one of four patterns:","light-blue",[179,193,204,215],{"id":180,"headline":181,"legacyHtml":182,"image":183,"imageUrl":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"alignImage":168,"backgroundColor":102,"imageFit":148,"headlineSize":131},"6a7d701caa56b4dc55610686","State-only filing","A single state-wide registration, typically handled online through the Secretary of State or an equivalent office. Colorado, Delaware, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, amongst others, all use this model, with no county-level filing required.",{"id":184,"alt":84,"updatedAt":185,"createdAt":186,"url":187,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":188,"mimeType":189,"filesize":190,"width":191,"height":192,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},307,"2026-08-07T17:20:36.089Z","2026-08-07T17:20:36.048Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002FYp4gntG3QNqE1258h30A","Yp4gntG3QNqE1258h30A","image\u002Fwebp",48090,1200,800,{"id":194,"headline":195,"legacyHtml":196,"image":197,"imageUrl":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"alignImage":132,"backgroundColor":102,"imageFit":148,"headlineSize":131},"6a7d701caa56b4dc55610687","County or local-only filing","Some states have no state-wide DBA registry at all — you file directly with a county, parish, or town\u002Fcity clerk, sometimes in every jurisdiction where you conduct business. States such as Connecticut (town clerk), Massachusetts (city\u002Ftown clerk), and Nevada (county clerk) follow this pattern.",{"id":198,"alt":84,"updatedAt":199,"createdAt":199,"url":200,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":201,"mimeType":189,"filesize":202,"width":191,"height":203,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},4,"2026-05-20T16:12:37.168Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002FP58RVZFaQje5sgV2yR7o","P58RVZFaQje5sgV2yR7o",39222,801,{"id":205,"headline":206,"legacyHtml":207,"image":208,"imageUrl":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"alignImage":168,"backgroundColor":102,"imageFit":148,"headlineSize":131},"6a7d701caa56b4dc55610688","Split by registrant type","This is the most common structure in the country: sole proprietors and general partnerships file locally with a county clerk or recorder, while corporations, LLCs, and other registered entities file with the state instead. Texas, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Kentucky are examples of the states which split their requirements this way.",{"id":209,"alt":84,"updatedAt":210,"createdAt":211,"url":212,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":213,"mimeType":189,"filesize":214,"width":191,"height":192,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},304,"2026-08-07T17:19:34.391Z","2026-08-07T17:19:34.352Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002FQnRRCAuLR16oWev63Awa","QnRRCAuLR16oWev63Awa",36394,{"id":216,"headline":217,"legacyHtml":218,"image":219,"imageUrl":84,"ctaText":84,"ctaLink":84,"alignImage":132,"backgroundColor":102,"imageFit":148,"headlineSize":131},"6a7d701caa56b4dc55610689","Voluntary or non-existent","A handful of states treat trade name registration as optional rather than required, and a few have no formal DBA framework at all. Alabama, Arizona, and Mississippi allow voluntary trade name registration but don't require it to operate. Kansas, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Wisconsin have no dedicated DBA registration process.",{"id":220,"alt":84,"updatedAt":221,"createdAt":222,"url":223,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":224,"mimeType":189,"filesize":225,"width":191,"height":203,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},306,"2026-08-07T17:20:13.399Z","2026-08-07T17:20:13.359Z","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002FWbTKe46dQbenMalFbg5K","WbTKe46dQbenMalFbg5K",56400,{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"id":228,"heading":229,"variant":230,"businessOnly":84,"blockName":84,"blockType":231,"visibility":232},"6a7ca5f21e89c24ff166dfdd","What our customers are saying about us","block","reviews",{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"id":234,"pixels":101,"color":102,"anchorId":84,"blockName":84,"blockType":103},"6a7d702aaa56b4dc5561068a",{"id":236,"heading":237,"background":102,"blockName":84,"items":238,"blockType":335,"visibility":336},"6a7ca63a1e89c24ff166dfdf","Frequently asked questions",[239,255,265,275,285,295,305,315,325],{"id":240,"question":241,"answer":242,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6451e89c24ff166dfe0","What is a DBA and why would my business need one?",{"root":243},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":247,"direction":84},"root",0,1,[248],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":250,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},"paragraph",[251],{"mode":252,"text":253,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"normal","A DBA, or \"doing business as\" registration, lets you operate under a name other than your legal name or your entity's registered name. Businesses use one to build a public brand, open a bank account under a trade name, or launch a new product line without forming a new entity.","text",{"id":256,"question":257,"answer":258,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca64c1e89c24ff166dfe1","Is a DBA the same as a fictitious name, trade name, or assumed name?",{"root":259},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":260,"direction":84},[261],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":262,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[263],{"mode":252,"text":264,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"Yes — these terms refer to the same type of filing, and which one applies depends on your state's terminology. California and Florida use \"fictitious business name,\" Texas and several others use \"assumed name,\" and states like Colorado and Ohio use \"trade name.\"",{"id":266,"question":267,"answer":268,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6561e89c24ff166dfe2","Do I file a DBA with the state or the county?",{"root":269},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":270,"direction":84},[271],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":272,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[273],{"mode":252,"text":274,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"It depends on your state. Some states handle DBA filings entirely at the state level, others require county or town-level filing, and many split the requirement based on whether you're a sole proprietor or a registered entity.",{"id":276,"question":277,"answer":278,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca65f1e89c24ff166dfe3","Does a DBA give me exclusive rights to my business name?",{"root":279},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":280,"direction":84},[281],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":282,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[283],{"mode":252,"text":284,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"No. A DBA is a public notice filing, not a trademark. Exclusive rights to a name come from a federal USPTO trademark or, in some cases, a state trademark registration.",{"id":286,"question":287,"answer":288,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6681e89c24ff166dfe4","Does every state require DBA registration?",{"root":289},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":290,"direction":84},[291],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":292,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[293],{"mode":252,"text":294,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"Not exactly. Most states require or offer DBA registration, particularly for sole proprietors and partnerships operating under a name other than their own, but a few states treat it as voluntary and a handful don't have a formal DBA process at all.",{"id":296,"question":297,"answer":298,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6741e89c24ff166dfe5","How long does a DBA registration last?",{"root":299},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":300,"direction":84},[301],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":302,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[303],{"mode":252,"text":304,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"Renewal periods vary by state, commonly landing around five years, though some states set shorter or longer terms. Check your state's specific renewal requirement so your registration doesn't lapse.",{"id":306,"question":307,"answer":308,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6801e89c24ff166dfe6","Can an LLC or corporation file a DBA too?",{"root":309},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":310,"direction":84},[311],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":312,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[313],{"mode":252,"text":314,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"Yes. Registered entities commonly file DBAs to operate a new product line, brand, or location under a different name without forming a separate legal entity.",{"id":316,"question":317,"answer":318,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6901e89c24ff166dfe7","What happens if I operate under a name without registering it?",{"root":319},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":320,"direction":84},[321],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":322,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[323],{"mode":252,"text":324,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"Consequences vary by state, but operating under an unregistered trade name can limit your ability to enforce contracts made under that name, and some states impose fines for noncompliance. Check your state's specific requirements to avoid running into these issues.",{"id":326,"question":327,"answer":328,"legacyHtml":84},"6a7ca6cf1e89c24ff166dfe8","How long does DBA processing take?",{"root":329},{"type":244,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":330,"direction":84},[331],{"type":249,"format":11,"indent":245,"version":246,"children":332,"direction":84,"textStyle":11,"textFormat":245},[333],{"mode":252,"text":334,"type":254,"style":11,"detail":245,"format":245,"version":246},"Processing time depends heavily on your state and filing method. A fully online, state-level filing can sometimes be approved within days, while a mail-in or fax submission may take weeks. Check with your specific filing office for their current processing time before you plan around a firm start date.","faqs",{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"id":338,"headline":339,"text":340,"image":341,"ctaText":117,"blockName":84,"blockType":342,"visibility":343},"6a7ca7001e89c24ff166dfe9","Register your DBA the right way","LegalNature's DBA form walks you through the process for your state and entity type in minutes, so you can move on knowing the paperwork is done right.",{"id":86,"alt":84,"updatedAt":87,"createdAt":88,"url":89,"thumbnailURL":84,"filename":90,"mimeType":91,"filesize":92,"width":93,"height":94,"focalX":95,"focalY":95},"get-started",{"hideOnMobile":84,"hideOnDesktop":84},{"title":345,"description":346,"keyword":11,"og_image":347},"File a DBA (Doing Business As) Online | LegalNature","Operating under a different business name? LegalNature helps you research, prepare, and file your DBA registration with the right state or county office.","https:\u002F\u002Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fshared-cms-main-media.legalnature.com\u002FDBA%20thumb.jpg",{"headline":84,"image":84,"imageUrl":84,"steps":349},[],{"table":351},{"headline":81,"headlineAccent":82,"subtitle":352,"image":89,"cta":353,"cta_text":11},"\u003Cp>A DBA, "doing business as," or fictitious business name lets you operate your business under a name other than your own legal name or your entity's registered name.\u003C\u002Fp>","biz-name"]