Key Takeaways

  • DBA filing fees range widely by state, from as low as $5 to over $100.
  • Additional costs may include publication fees, renewal fees, and service provider fees.
  • Renewal periods for DBAs vary—some require annual renewals, others every five years.
  • Sole proprietors, LLCs, and corporations often use DBAs to operate under different brand names.
  • Filing requirements may differ by state, county, and city, and publishing a notice may be required.
  • Using a DBA does not grant exclusive rights to the name unless trademarked.

Asking how much is a DBA is a common question for those wanting to establish a DBA. Specifically, a DBA, also referred to as Doing Business As, is a unique name that is used to distinguish the name of your company from your DBA. A DBA is also known as a fictitious business name or trade name. It’s essentially a name that you might want your business to use when marketing yourself to the public or engaging in business with potential customers and vendors.

In order to file your DBA name, some states require that you publish the name in your local newspaper for a number of weeks prior to completing registration. This will put the public on notice so they can identify who is making the request, if anyone objects to the name, and if the name is already being used. It is essentially a protection for the public to prevent the business owner from engaging in illegal activity by hiding behind a DBA name.

Keep in mind that there are many legitimate reasons to create a DBA; but if you do, some states, counties, and cities require you to register the name at all three municipality levels.

How Much Does it Cost?

DBA costs will vary depending on the state you are registering your DBA in. Some states might require only an initial fee while other states might require an ongoing annual fee. For example, Pennsylvania charges a one-time initial fee of $70 whereas Los Angeles charges a $26 initial fee, along with an ongoing $26 fee to be paid on an annual basis. Furthermore, the Florida charges approximately $55-65 to register a DBA. Generally, you can expect to pay between $10-$100 to formally register your DBA.

Are There Ongoing Fees or Renewals?

Yes, in many states, registering a DBA is not a one-time event. Ongoing fees may include:

  • Renewal Fees: Depending on the jurisdiction, renewals might be required every 1 to 5 years. For example:
    • Texas: Every 10 years
    • Illinois: Every 5 years
    • California: Varies by county but often requires renewal within five years
  • Name Change or Update Fees: If you need to amend your DBA name or address, additional fees may apply.
  • Re-Publication Requirements: If your business relocates or changes ownership, some jurisdictions may require you to re-publish the DBA notice.

Staying current with these requirements helps avoid penalties or the expiration of your assumed business name.

State-by-State DBA Filing Fees Overview

Here is a general overview of DBA filing fees across different states (approximate ranges):

  • Alabama: $30–$50 (varies by county)
  • California: $26–$100 (varies by county and publication)
  • Florida: $50–$100
  • New York: $25–$100 (plus mandatory publication in NYC)
  • Texas: $15–$25
  • Illinois: Around $50 (plus publication in most counties)
  • Pennsylvania: $70 (state-level filing only)
  • Georgia: $150–$200 (in some counties due to legal notice requirements)

Some states, such as Kansas, do not have state-level DBA registration, and filing is handled at the county level. Always verify fees with your local or state government agency before filing.

What Affects the Cost of a DBA?

The cost of registering a DBA, or “Doing Business As,” depends on several variables beyond the base state filing fee:

  • State and Local Jurisdiction: Costs vary not only by state but also by the county or city where you register. For example, while California counties charge between $26–$50, Texas counties may charge between $15–$25.
  • Publication Requirements: Some states, such as California and New York, mandate that you publish a notice of your DBA in a local newspaper for a specific duration. These publication fees can add $40 to $150 or more to the total cost.
  • Renewal Frequency: Certain states require DBAs to be renewed periodically—every year, two years, or five years—which can result in recurring fees.
  • Expedited Services or Legal Assistance: If you choose to use a business filing service or attorney to handle the paperwork, expect to pay additional service fees ranging from $50 to over $200, depending on the provider.
  • Business Type: Corporations and LLCs sometimes pay different fees than sole proprietors due to additional administrative steps in their filing process.

When evaluating “how much is a DBA,” it’s essential to factor in these associated costs for a full picture.

Advantages of a DBA

There are several benefits to formally establishing a DBA, including the following:

  • You can ensure that you remain compliant with the law
  • Fewer formalities
  • Registering a DBA can prevent a business owner from having to form a separate business entity

If you intend on doing business through a DBA, you should ensure that you formally register your DBA. Once you do, you are ensuring that you have remained compliant with the law. In fact, if you conduct business through a DBA but fail to register that name, you could face fines and penalties. Furthermore, if you are already operating a specific business structure, i.e. sole proprietorship, and start using the separate DBA name without formally registering it, you are putting your company’s status at risk; this could result in a suspension of your company’s status.

There are fewer formalities when doing work through a DBA. Rather than creating a separate legal entity, registering a DBA will save you time, money and paperwork. Therefore, there is no need to create a separate entity and spend the additional time and money establishing a separate business.

For example, if you operate as a sole proprietorship, you can use your DBA name at all times instead of having to create another type of legal business structure. If you want to open a business bank account in the name of the DBA, you will need to register the DBA and receive compensation from the business in the name of the DBA.

Even if you operate a corporation or LLC, but want to use a different name, using a DBA will help cut costs and avoid additional complexities as you continue to grow your business. An example of this would be if you plan on opening several restaurants, you might want to set up one larger corporation and then have a generic DBA name that you can use for the restaurant. Similarly, you might also want to create separate DBA names for each restaurant that you operate.

However, registering a DBA will not provide you with the ability to prevent others from using it. In order to do this, you will need to file for trademark protection over the name. But most other businesses will not want to use the same DBA as another company, simply to prevent confusion for outside vendors and prospective clients.

Limitations of a DBA

While DBAs are practical and inexpensive, they come with certain limitations:

  • No Legal Protection for the Name: Registering a DBA doesn’t prevent others from using the same name. To protect your business name, you’ll need to file for a trademark.
  • No Separate Legal Entity: A DBA does not create a separate legal entity. The business owner remains personally liable for business debts and obligations unless operating through an LLC or corporation.
  • Limited Recognition Outside Filing Jurisdiction: Your DBA is usually only valid in the state or county where it's filed. To operate across state lines under the same name, additional filings may be necessary.

Who Needs a DBA and Why?

A DBA is useful for several types of business owners and scenarios:

  • Sole Proprietors: Operating under a name other than your legal name requires a DBA.
  • LLCs and Corporations: These entities use DBAs to launch new product lines or open new brands without forming separate legal entities.
  • Freelancers and Consultants: Professionals may choose a DBA to appear more credible or professional when offering services.
  • Franchisees: May use DBAs that reflect the franchised brand in their jurisdiction.

Using a DBA allows businesses to legally operate under a chosen name, market to specific audiences, and open bank accounts under that name.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Do I need a DBA if I’m a sole proprietor using my legal name?
    No. If you’re conducting business under your legal name (e.g., John Smith), you don’t need a DBA. But if you're using a brand like “Smith Consulting,” then you must register a DBA.
  2. How long does it take to get a DBA approved?
    Approval times vary by state and filing method. Online applications may be processed within 1–2 weeks, while mail filings can take several weeks.
  3. Can I get a DBA in multiple states?
    Yes, but you must file separately in each state (and sometimes county) where you intend to use the DBA.
  4. Is a DBA the same as a business license?
    No. A DBA is only a registered business name, not a license to operate. You may still need a separate business license or permit depending on your industry and location.
  5. How much is a DBA through a filing service?
    If using a service provider, expect to pay $100–$250 total, including state fees, service charges, and optional add-ons like expedited processing.

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