Business
DBA / Trade Name Registration
A DBA ("doing business as," also called a fictitious name, assumed name, or trade name) is the registration that lets a business operate under a name different from its legal name. The filing names the registered owner, the trade name, the jurisdiction, and the registration date, and publicly links the name to its real owner. It is not a separate legal entity and provides no liability protection or trademark rights.
Written & maintained by the Granite team · Last updated June 2026
Overview
You file a DBA with your state, county, or city to publicly link a trade name to its real owner — whether that's an individual (a sole proprietor using a brand name) or a registered entity operating a second brand. The SBA describes assumed-name registration as a consumer-protection measure: it tells the public who is actually behind a business name. It doesn't create a separate business or provide liability protection, and it doesn't give you exclusive rights to the name — multiple businesses can register the same DBA in one state.
Most states require you to register a DBA before you advertise, sign contracts, or bank under that name, and a DBA plus an EIN is what lets you open a business bank account under the trade name. DBAs often must be renewed periodically — renewal periods vary by state and locality — and the registration is your proof the name is legitimately yours.
When you’ll get your DBA / Trade Name Registration
- You're a sole proprietor operating under a brand name
- Your LLC or corporation runs a second brand or product line
- You need to open a bank account under your trade name
- You're advertising or contracting under a name other than your legal name
- You're renewing an expiring DBA registration
What’s on your DBA / Trade Name Registration
These are the fields Granite reads and extracts automatically the moment you upload one.
- Registered Owner
- The individual or entity that owns the trade name.
- Trade Name (DBA)
- The fictitious or assumed name being registered.
- Jurisdiction
- The state, county, or city where the DBA is filed.
- Registration Number
- The filing's identifier with the registering authority.
- Registration & Expiration Dates
- When it was filed and when it must be renewed.
How long to keep it
Keep the DBA registration while it's active and renewed; retain prior filings as a record.
The DBA is your proof that a trade name legitimately belongs to you — needed for banking, contracts, and resolving any dispute over the name. Because DBAs often expire and require renewal on a schedule that varies by jurisdiction, keeping the registration and its renewal history ensures you can prove continuous, valid use of the name.
How Granite handles your DBA / Trade Name Registration
Granite reads your DBA registration — owner, trade name, jurisdiction, registration number, and expiration — and files it with your business documents. When a bank or partner needs proof the trade name is yours, the filing is one search away, and Granite can remind you before the DBA expires so the name registration never lapses.
FAQ
DBA / Trade Name Registration: common questions
- What is a DBA?
- A DBA — "doing business as," also called a fictitious, assumed, or trade name — is a registration that lets a business operate under a name different from its legal name. A sole proprietor might use a brand name instead of their own, or an LLC might run a second brand. The DBA publicly links that name to its real owner.
- Is a DBA or LLC better?
- They do different things. A DBA is only a name registration — it's cheaper and simpler but creates no separate entity and gives no liability protection. An LLC is a legal entity that shields your personal assets and is taxed separately. Many owners form an LLC for protection and file a DBA under it to run additional brands.
- Does a DBA count as a business license?
- No. A DBA is a name registration, not a license to operate. Depending on your industry and location you may still need separate business licenses or permits. The DBA simply lets you legally use and bank under a chosen trade name — it does not by itself authorize you to do business or grant trademark rights.
- Why do I need a DBA to open a bank account?
- Banks require a DBA before opening an account under a trade name so they can verify the name legitimately belongs to you, not just your legal name. A DBA paired with an EIN is typically what lets you open a business bank account under the brand. Many states also require a DBA before you advertise or sign contracts under that name.
- How long should I keep my DBA registration?
- Keep it while it's active and through each renewal, and retain prior filings as a record. DBAs often expire and require renewal on a schedule that varies by state and locality, so keeping the registration and its renewal history lets you prove continuous, valid use of the name — important for banking, contracts, and any dispute over the trade name.
Sources
This page is checked against primary and authoritative sources:
Keep your DBA / Trade Name Registration in one place.
Drop it in once. Granite reads it, files it, and makes it findable forever — by you today, and by the people who'll need it later.