How to Setup a DBA in Florida

Fictitious name registrations in Florida go through the state's Division of Corporations.

DBA stands for "doing business as." In most states, if you decide to operate a business under a name other than the name of the owner(s) of that business, you must register the name with the proper authority. In Florida, a DBA is known as a fictitious name. All businesses operating under a fictitious name must register this name with the Division of Corporations Fictitious Name Registration.

Instructions

1. Contact a newspaper in the county where your principal place of business will be located. Request to run a notice of your intended fictitious name. You will have to pay to run the notice. Under Florida law, to prior to registering a fictitious name, a business must advertise its intended DBA. The notice only needs to run once.

2. Call or visit the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations online (850-245-6058).

3. Request a copy of the Fictitious Name Registration application or begin the process online by clicking on "E-Filing Services" at the top of the screen. Select the "Fictitious Name Registration" option. Read the disclaimer, check the box that states you have read the disclaimer and then click the "Add Fictitious Name Registration" button.

4. Fill out the hard copy or online form. You will need to include your business' fictitious name that you wish to register, your email address, your business address and the business owners' names and addresses.

5. Send the hard copy form to the Division of Corporations' P.O. Box address along with a check or money order in the amount of $50 made payable to the Department of State (Fictitious Name Registration; P.O. Box 1300; Tallahassee, Fla. 32302-1300). If filing online, enter your credit card information. You will be charged a $50 filing fee.

Tips & Warnings

• Fictitious name registrations are valid for five years and expire on Dec. 31 of the final year. Shortly before the expiration, you will need to renew your registration if you wish to still operate under the fictitious name.

• Failure to comply with Florida's Fictitious Name Act is a second-degree misdemeanor.

References

• Business.gov: Business Name Registration (Doing Business As)
• Department of State Division of Corporations: Fictitious Name Registration General Information
• Department of State Division of Corporations: Online Fictitious Name Registration

Resources

• Sunbiz.org: Application for Registration of Fictitious Name