How to Establish a DBA
If you are starting up a business and want to run the business under a fictitious name, you need to establish a DBA. A DBA, which stands for Doing Business As, is the name that a business uses instead of the legal name of the owner or owners. Establishing a DBA allows you to legally run and operate a business under the fictitious name of your choice while preventing others from using the name. It also allows you to open a business checking account under the DBA name instead of just your personal name. Setting up a DBA is a fairly simple process.
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Instructions
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Visit or call your local county clerk's office. Additionally, some county clerk offices have their own website. Inquire about the requirements for a DBA in your area. There will be a form, called a fictitious business name form, that you have to fill out, as well as a fee that you have to pay.
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Ask the county clerk to do a business name search for you with the name that you want to establish your DBA with. If the name is already being used then you will not be able to establish your DBA with that name. It is a good idea to go to the office with a couple of backup business names.
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Fill out the fictitious business name form and submit it to the local county clerk office with the appropriate fee.
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Place a notice in the local paper about the new DBA if it is required by your local county clerk. Just contact the Notices desk at your paper to place the notice. Get the newspaper contact number from a recent copy of the paper.
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Tips & Warnings
A DBA is typically good for a period of one year, after which it must be renewed.
