Using a fictitious business name is a common way to name your business. A fictitious business name is the legal term for an assumed name that you use for your business, rather than using the name or names of the business owner.
A fictitious business is also known as a DBA (doing business as). Filing a fictitious business name is not very expensive. The rules for filing a fictitious business name are established be each state, but generally have the same procedures and requirements. Contact your local Secretary Of State office for the guidelines in your state.
In most states filing of a fictitious business name is done at the county clerk’s office. If the name under which you do business differs from your own name if the business is an individual proprietorship, you will be required to file a fictitious business name. If the business is incorporated or a partnership, but will be known to the public by a trade name, you will need to use a fictitious business name.
Do some research to be sure the name you are choosing is not already being used. You can find a list of business names at a local Secretary Of State office. Once the forms are filled out, get them notarized, and get them filed with the county clerk’s office. You may be required to have the filing recorded with the county recorder. You may even have to place a notice of the filing in a local newspaper.
Most fictitious business names have to be filed every 5 years, so be sure you find always know the expiration date of your DBA papers. A good fictitious name can be the factor that makes or breaks your business.