Entity and corporate filings
Doing business as
A trade name a business uses other than its legal name. Often filed at the state or county level so the public knows who's behind the brand.
A doing business as name, or DBA, is a trade name an entity uses that differs from its legal name. Registering it tells the public and regulators who is actually behind the brand.
When a license is tied to one legal entity but the business operates under another name, regulators generally want the DBA on record so the names line up. Clean name records prevent mismatches that can delay an application.
Related terms
Where this comes up
Doing business as is one piece of getting and keeping a business licensed. We handle the filings, bonds, and renewals that surround it across every state where you operate.