What is DBA?

DBA (Doing Business As) is a legal term that is used when an individual or a company operates a business under a name other than their legal name.

For example, if John Smith wants to open a coffee shop and wants to call it “Java Joe’s,” he may need to register his business name as a DBA. By doing so, he can legally operate his coffee shop under the name “Java Joe’s” without having to form a separate legal entity such as a corporation or a limited liability company.

Registering a DBA is a requirement in many states in the United States, and it typically involves filing a registration form and paying a fee with the appropriate state or local agency. The purpose of registering a DBA is to ensure that the public can identify the business and its owner, and to prevent fraudulent or deceptive practices.