Are there any restrictions on who can get a DBA?

Although you’ve established your business as a legal operating entity, the next step is to register a DBA that reflects your brand name—particularly if you’ve registered your business as a legal entity operating under your name, and seek to protect your privacy. But is there anything that might stop you from getting a DBA?

Defining a DBA

So just what is a DBA? DBA stands for “Doing Business As,” and allows you to operate your business under a name other than the legal name filed when you registered your proprietorship or corporation. This can be essential when seeking to maintain privacy or intending to open bank accounts under a business name. The process for filing for a DBA is separate from the tax ID application process, and requires submitting a separate DBA application. You must submit a DBA to operate your business under any name other than the one it was legally incorporated as.

Not Who, But What

While there are certain restrictions on DBA filing, those restrictions are less based on who can get a DBA and more based on what you can name your DBA. These restrictions apply to companies formed as sole proprietorships or general partnerships. These types of companies cannot use words such as “corporate” or “incorporated (inc.)” in their DBA, as this may end up misleading consumers as to the type of company that the partnership or proprietorship was filed under.

So How Do You File for a DBA?

If you’re wondering how to get a DBA, the process is simple. Work with one of our qualified consultants to understand exactly what information you need to gather prior to filing, or use our simple forms to make the process as painless as possible. Our services ensure that your DBA application won’t be rejected for an inappropriate or incorrect submission, allowing you to operate your business under the brand your customers recognize and trust.