Key Takeaways

  • A DBA (doing business as) allows corporations, including S corps, to legally operate under a name other than their legal one.
  • Filing requirements vary by state and may include registration, publication, and renewal procedures.
  • DBAs help corporations differentiate product lines, expand into new markets, and comply with local naming regulations.
  • While a DBA grants naming flexibility, it does not create a separate legal entity or provide legal protection like incorporation does.
  • Corporations can hold multiple DBAs, but each must be registered separately.
  • Failing to register a DBA when required can lead to fines or invalidated contracts.
  • UpCounsel can connect businesses with experienced attorneys for DBA registration and compliance.

An s corp DBA with a special tax filing is granted when a corporation meets specific Internal Revenue Service requirements. This means the profits and losses, along with any deductions, are all passed directly to shareholders. Without a registered DBA name, most states require an S corporation to operate under the exact name stated on its articles of incorporation.

What Is a DBA?

A DBA can be used by any business owner, including an S corporation, and is an acronym for “doing business as.” Trade names, made-up names, or assumed names are often referred to as a DBA. This is most often done to make a distinction between an owner and competitor's products.

What a Corporation DBA Does and Does Not Do

While a corporation DBA allows a business to operate under a different name, it's important to understand its limitations. A corporation DBA does not:

  • Create a separate legal entity.
  • Protect the business owner’s personal assets.
  • Provide exclusive rights to the business name (unless separately trademarked).

However, a DBA does allow an S corporation or C corporation to:

  • Open bank accounts under the DBA name.
  • Market under a different name that aligns with branding or product segmentation.
  • Operate in a new region where the original corporate name may already be in use.

If a corporation plans to expand or diversify its offerings, using a DBA helps manage brand identity while maintaining a unified corporate structure​.

What Are the Requirements for Getting a DBA?

The requirements for adding a DBA to your S corp will vary from state to state. The state laws in which your S corp was formed will determine whether you have to register your DBA with a government agency or place a publication of the DBA in an approved newspaper, or both.

Like other incorporated businesses, S corps are required to register DBAs in most states. An S corporation may choose to place all or part of its operation under a DBA for the purpose of distinguishing the business from others. For example, a restaurant may add the specific cuisine in the name to reflect what its specialty is.

There are times that an S corporation is required to use a DBA. For example, if the business name duplicates another business name already in use in the same state, a DBA would need to be acquired. State laws allow a corporation to use a registered business alias for a legitimate business purpose, but require it to conduct business under its legal name.

All states require corporations to conduct business under the legal name listed in their articles of incorporation, but the rules on how to form and operate a corporation will vary from state to state. Operating under the legal name ensures the identity of the entity behind commercial transactions and also protects a business's reputation that is formed in the marketplace under the specific name.

State-Specific Filing Rules for Corporation DBAs

Each state has unique requirements for filing a corporation DBA. Common steps include:

  • Name availability check: You must ensure the desired DBA is not already in use.
  • Filing a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement: Often done through the county clerk’s office, especially in states like California.
  • Publication requirement: Some states require you to publish notice of your DBA in a local newspaper for a specified period.
  • Renewal timelines: DBAs often expire after 3–5 years and must be renewed to remain valid.

Out-of-state corporations may be required to file their DBA in a specific county, such as Sacramento County in California. Additionally, you may need to submit documentation proving your corporation is in good standing with your home state​.

What Are the Benefits of a DBA?

Most states allow S corporations to use an alias for business purposes. Reasons to use a DBA include:

  • Building up a brand name in a particular market
  • To distinguish a division or develop a new product category, especially if the corporation doesn't want consumers to associate the product with the corporation's legal name
  • Make it easier to sell off a product line and not lose the rights to the corporation's legal name

In circumstances when you want to expand your S corporation into a state and your business's legal name is being used, you would be required to use a DBA. You would have to obtain permission to do business there, and the state would most likely require you to register a DBA. In addition, it would probably require your S corporation to refer to itself by the DBA only in that particular state.

With a federally-trademarked legal name, the S corporation could expand anywhere in the entire United States. If the S corporation learns that another corporation is using the mark, it could demand the infringing company to stop using the name.

Scenarios Where a Corporation Should Use a DBA

Corporations may want or need to file a DBA in several scenarios:

  • Entering a new market or geographic area where the legal name is already taken.
  • Testing a new brand or product without altering the existing corporate identity.
  • Operating multiple business lines under different names while using the same corporate entity.
  • Marketing under a more consumer-friendly or descriptive name than the formal corporation name.

For instance, a corporation legally named "Smith Enterprises, Inc." might use DBAs like "Smith Web Design" and "Smith Digital Consulting" to clearly differentiate its services.

In some cases, using a DBA can also enhance privacy by not revealing the corporation's full legal name in all customer-facing materials​​.

Steps to Create a DBA

When creating a DBA for your business, there are several steps you will need to take. For starters, choose the name you want. To do this, hold a meeting with your senior-level employees and determine what the best name to use is. Next, you will verify that the name is not already being used. You don't want to choose a name of an existing company, because it will limit your ability to expand brand awareness.

Once you have chosen a name and verified that it is not being used by another company, you will then need to file a DBA registration form. The form requires your company's legal name, its address, and the new name you want to operate under. You'll also provide a brief description of your company, including an overview of your business activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a DBA

When applying for a corporation DBA, business owners should avoid these common pitfalls:

  • Skipping the name search: Failing to check for name availability can result in rejected filings or legal disputes.
  • Overlooking local rules: Filing at the wrong jurisdiction level (e.g., state vs. county) or missing publication requirements may invalidate your DBA.
  • Not renewing the DBA: Letting a DBA expire can disrupt operations and legal compliance.
  • Assuming legal protection: A DBA does not offer liability protection. Only the corporation structure does.

Ensuring accuracy in your filing documents and staying up to date with renewals will help maintain the DBA’s validity.

Can a Corporation Have Multiple DBAs?

Yes, a corporation can register more than one DBA, which is particularly helpful when managing distinct product lines or regional operations. Each DBA must be:

  • Filed separately.
  • Approved by the appropriate authority (often the county or state).
  • Renewed independently of other DBAs.

This flexibility allows corporations to tailor branding without needing to create new legal entities for each business venture​.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does a corporation DBA provide any legal protection? No, a DBA is a naming tool, not a legal shield. Liability protection comes from the corporate structure itself, not the DBA.

2. Can an S corp operate in multiple states with a DBA? Yes, but it must register the DBA in each state it operates in, following that state’s requirements.

3. What happens if I don’t register a DBA when required? Operating under an unregistered DBA can lead to fines, legal penalties, or difficulty enforcing contracts.

4. Can I trademark my corporation DBA? Yes, but you must file a separate trademark application. Registering a DBA does not grant exclusive name rights.

5. How much does it cost to register a corporation DBA? Costs vary by state and county, typically ranging from $10 to $100 per filing, plus possible publication fees.

If you need help with S corp DBA, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.