DBA Filing

A DBA (Doing Business As) filing, also known as a fictitious business name, trade name, or assumed name registration, is a legal document filed with a county clerk or state agency that allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal entity name. For example, an LLC registered as "Smith Holdings LLC" that wants to operate a retail brand called "Harbor Coffee Co." must file a DBA to legally transact, open bank accounts, and accept payments under the trade name. DBA filing requirements and costs vary by jurisdiction: California requires county-level filing ($26–$83 depending on the county) plus mandatory publication in a local newspaper ($40–$300), New York requires similar publication ($200–$1,500 in some boroughs), while states like Florida require only state-level registration at $50. Most DBA filings expire after 5 years and must be renewed to maintain legal use of the trade name. Filing a DBA does not create a new legal entity, does not provide trademark protection, and does not shield the owner from personal liability — it simply creates a public record linking the trade name to the legal entity. For single-member LLCs and sole proprietors considering expansion into new brands or product lines, a DBA is significantly cheaper than forming a new LLC ($50–$300 vs. $500–$2,000 including ongoing compliance costs), though it provides less liability separation. doola helps businesses evaluate the DBA-versus-new-entity decision and handles DBA filings as part of its brand expansion services. Proper bookkeeping for DBA operations — tracking revenue and expenses separately per trade name — is essential for tax compliance and financial clarity.