File a DBA in Minnesota

Doing business with a different company name requires filing a DBA form. This ‘doing business as’ form lets your company operate under a different name. Find out more about DBAs, including how they can help your business, how to get one, and more.

What's your DBA name?

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file a dba in minnesota

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Updated on: June 10, 2025
Read time: 3 min

What is a DBA?

If the owners of a company want to do business using a name that is different from the original name used to form the business, they must register the secondary name. For sole proprietorships and partnerships, the original name is the actual name of the owner or partners.

This secondary name doesn’t replace the original name but acts as an additional, legal name for the business. This name is known by several terms, such as trade name, fictitious business name, and assumed name. The process for filing this name is often called filing for DBA registration or doing business as.

For example, if John Smith, owner of a sole proprietorship, wants to do business as “Best Carpet Cleaner” rather than "John Smith," then he has to file a DBA. 

When you need a DBA

Under Minnesota law, a DBA filing is required for any individual, corporation, limited partnership, or limited liability company that seeks to conduct business under a name other than their full legal name. Failure to file the DBA properly can result in allegations of fraud brought against the business entity in question.

Setting up a DBA in Minnesota 

Filing for a DBA begins with a name search to ensure that the trade name the business seeks to operate under is not already registered by another business. The Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State website is where you’ll find a list of registered names.

Bear in mind that Minnesota prohibits the use of a DBA to intentionally misrepresent the geographic origin or location of the business in question. Minnesota law also expressly prohibits the use of a corporate designation such as incorporated, inc., limited, chartered, professional association, etc., unless that designation is an accurate representation of the type of entity filing for the DBA.

Minnesota DBA forms

Filers for a DBA will need to file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Office of the Secretary of State. Minnesota has this filing process centralized at the Minnesota Business & Lien System within the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Minnesota DBA filing & registration

Filers begin by filling out the Certificate of Assumed Name form and including the relevant information, such as the name of the filer, the principal place of business of the entity in question, and the assumed name to be adopted by the entity in question.

After obtaining the certificate, you must publish the certificate in a qualified legal newspaper for two consecutive issues in the county where the principal place of business is located.

Businesses must keep in mind that Minnesota requires that the DBA designation be renewed annually. There is no fee for renewal, but if allowed to lapse, there will be a reinstatement fee for the DBA designation. For more detailed instructions on filing, go to the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

Tax considerations

Getting a trade name registered by filing a DBA doesn’t change how your company is taxed.

Are you ready to get a DBA? LegalZoom can help you get started today. We can help with the paperwork and can also get you in touch with a business attorney to answer specific questions about your DBA.

What's your DBA name?Register my DBA
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This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

26 days ago
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10/10 customer service

Both Kathy and Princess made the process of filing my DBA incredibly easy and were able to walk me through the process the entire time. Both were incredibly kind and helpful and I'm so grateful to the LegalZoom team for being there to support me through any troubles I have with my small business!

Kate
65 days ago
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Very helpful everyone I spoke with was…

Very helpful everyone I spoke with was very knowledgeable and pointed me in the right direction. My dba was filed swiftly and I was informed about the progress the entire time. Very happy with the results.

karl anderson
74 days ago
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KIERVE has Excellent Customer Service

KIERVE was very knowledgeable and provided the information I requested with additional things to assist me with creating a new DBA. I appreciated how patient they were and ensured everything had processed to the next step before we signed off the chat. Excellent customer service!

Tenika Ashley
118 days ago
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Customer Service exceeded my expectations.

After an initial dilemma with my DBA filing in California, a LegalZoom account executive took the reigns and made everything right by going above and beyond my expectations. Thank you LegalZoom!

Clinton Goodrich
203 days ago
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Very helpful

I called in looking for help with my DBA and was able to complete setting it up effortlessly and got help with a few more items I didn’t even know I needed.

Kevin McCarthy
207 days ago
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Joe was extraordinary

Joe was extraordinary! I called to add a DBA to my existing LLC, and he got straight to the point with exactly what I needed. He went above and beyond by taking the time to answer my questions thoroughly and even checked my account. He pointed out a couple of things for me to review, and if that wasn’t enough, he even sent me a screenshot so I knew exactly what he was referring to. Wow—what an asset to your company! Loyal customer here!

Juan Ferrer
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,811+ reviewson

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