Build your brand with a DBA

Your business name helps establish your brand. Make it yours. Make it memorable. Starts at $99 + filing fees.

Start my DBA

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We've helped entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses 2M+ times.

We do right by you

We will refund our fee within the first 60 days if you're unhappy with our services. Learn more

Why is a DBA important

Legally required

It's a must if you don't plan on using your legal name or official company name to do business.

Set up a business bank account

With it, you can open a checking or savings account in your DBAs name.

Allows you to expand easily

Use a new business name without the hassle of starting a brand new LLC or corporation.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Most states require you to get a DBA if you're using a business name that's different from your LLC or corporation name.
  2. A few states don't require a DBA if you use your full name or last name in your business name. For example if your name is Jane Smith, you wouldn't need a DBA to call your business "Jane Smith Bakery" in Colorado, or "Smith Bakery" in California.
  3. They do two very different things. A DBA alerts your county or state that your business intends to go by a name that's different from your personal or official company name. It keeps you compliant wherever a DBA is required. Registering a federal trademark isn't a requirement. It's something you can apply for to get exclusive rights and protections over your brand name across all 50 states.
  4. In most states and counties, you need to renew your DBA every 5-10 years. DBAs never expire in a few states like Indiana, Iowa, and New York.
  5. No. You need to form an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit to get limited liability protection.
  6. Yes, what it's called varies by state but it means the same thing.

It's simple to get started

  1. Tell us your business name
  2. Answer some important questions
  3. We'll complete and file your paperwork, and print a notice in your local paper*
Want to check out example documents? See samples
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Launch your DBA

Premium

$119 + filing fees

Get started
Everything from Standard plus:
  • Preliminary name search*
  • DBA application filing
  • Publication of your DBA name*
  • Proof of publication filing
  • 14-day trial of attorney advice**
Learn more

Why choose us

2 million+

businesses

Helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into
businesses over 2 million times.

1 million+

subscriptions

Offering customers compliance and advisory legal solutions in over 1 million subscriptions.

650,000+

consultations

Providing access to our independent
network of attorneys over 650,000 times.

Meet our customers

Parkman Woodworks

Parkman Woodworks

"LegalZoom has a menu of things where we can see how much it will cost instead of paying a lawyer an hourly rate, which we couldn't afford. It was a very straightforward and inexpensive way to take care of the legal considerations our company had to deal with as we were growing."
Graham Taglang, DBA customer
Tessa James

Tessa James

"LegalZoom provided the roadmap I needed to get going, took care of steps that would have taken up time I didn't have to spare, and kept me updated on our status during the entire process."
Allegra Richdale, DBA customer
Rosen Skincare

Rosen Skincare

"LegalZoom was quick and super easy to navigate. I knew it was definitely the most affordable option, but when I hopped on and started walking through the steps, it was so simple there was no reason for me to go anywhere else!"
Jamika Martin, DBA customer

Questions?

Ask an attorney

Get the right guidance with an attorney by your side.

Get legal help

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Call an agent at (866) 738-2618 (866) 738-2618

Mon-Fri: 5 a.m.-7 p.m. PT
Weekends: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. PT

Our agents are based in the U.S.

User reviews

Ready to get your DBA?

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*If required in your county or state

**Telephone consultations with a participating firm, during normal business hours, of up to one half (1/2) hour each, limited to one consultation for each new legal matter. After the 14-day trial period, benefits to the Business Legal Plan (also Business Advantage Pro or Business Advisory Plan) continue automatically at the plan rate (currently $49 per month). Cancel online or by calling (877) 818-8787. For full details, see the Legal Plan Contract and Subscription Terms.