Business Licenses and Permits

More often than not, the name of your favorite company that you see and hear in advertisements is an alias, or a “DBA” as it’s known in the business world. A “Doing Business As” name is commonly used by corporations as an alternative to a legal business name.

The process of obtaining a “DBA” can be complicated depending on where you live. In many states “DBAs” are issued at the state level. Getting a “DBA” registered with the state gives a company name protection and prevents others from using the same fictitious name for their business. However, “DBAs” are not just handled at the state level.

In California, each county has a registry of “DBAs,” and in other states cities and towns have applications to file for business choosing to operate with a “DBA.” Some jurisdictions make the “DBA” process even more complicated only allowing partnerships and sole proprietorships to apply for one.

 partnerships and sole proprietorships to apply for one.

Ryan Julson, Business License Research Analyst, Corporation Service Company

Tags: Corporation Service Company, DBA, fictitious name