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What a DBA does
It lets you put a brand name on signs, invoices and a bank account while the legal name stays the same. An LLC called "Smith Holdings LLC" might file a DBA for "Northside Bakery".
It doesn't protect you from liability (the LLC does that), and it doesn't stop someone else from using a similar name. For that, look at trademarks.
Where DBAs are filed
Some states keep DBAs at the state level, some leave them to counties, and a few use both. That decides where you search: a statewide search covers state filings, but county DBAs only show up in that county's records.
Where DBAs are filed and searched in each state
| State | What it's called | Filed with | Statewide search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Alaska | Business Name (DBA) and Business Name Registration | State | Search |
| Arizona | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Arkansas | Fictitious Name | State | Search |
| California | Fictitious Business Name | County | None |
| Colorado | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Connecticut | Trade Name | County | Search |
| Delaware | Trade Name (DBA) | State | Search |
| District of Columbia | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Florida | Fictitious Name | State | Search |
| Georgia | Trade Name | County | None |
| Hawaii | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Idaho | Assumed Business Name (ABN) | State | Search |
| Illinois | Assumed Name | State and county | None |
| Indiana | Assumed Business Name | State and county | None |
| Iowa | Fictitious Name (LLCs) or Trade Name (sole proprietors) | State and county | Search |
| Kansas | Trade name (DBA) | Not registered | None |
| Kentucky | Assumed Name | State and county | None |
| Louisiana | Trade Name (state) or DBA (parish) | State and county | Search |
| Maine | Assumed Name | State and county | Search |
| Maryland | Trade Name | State | None |
| Massachusetts | Business Certificate | County | None |
| Michigan | Assumed Name | State and county | None |
| Minnesota | Assumed Name | State | Search |
| Mississippi | Fictitious Business Name | State | None |
| Missouri | Fictitious Name | State | Search |
| Montana | Assumed Business Name | State | Search |
| Nebraska | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Nevada | Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) | County | None |
| New Hampshire | Trade Name | State | Search |
| New Jersey | Alternate Name | State | Search |
| New Mexico | Alternate Business Name | State | Search |
| New York | Assumed Name | State and county | Search |
| North Carolina | Assumed Business Name | County | Search |
| North Dakota | Trade Name | State | Search |
| Ohio | Trade Name or Fictitious Name | State | Search |
| Oklahoma | Trade Name | State | None |
| Oregon | Assumed Business Name | State | None |
| Pennsylvania | Fictitious Name | State | None |
| Rhode Island | Fictitious Business Name | State | None |
| South Carolina | DBA or trade name | Not registered | None |
| South Dakota | DBA / Fictitious Business Name | State and county | Search |
| Tennessee | Assumed Name | State | Search |
| Texas | Assumed Name Certificate | State and county | None |
| Utah | DBA (Assumed Name) | State | Search |
| Vermont | Assumed Business Name | State | Search |
| Virginia | Assumed or Fictitious Name | State | None |
| Washington | Trade Name | State | Search |
| West Virginia | Trade Name (DBA) | State | Search |
| Wisconsin | Tradename | State | Search |
| Wyoming | Trade Name | State | None |
From our state guides, each checked against the state's official site. Click a state for the full guide and sources.