A DBA, or doing business as, is required in most states if you do not plan on using your real name as your business name. If you do use your own name, you can still get a DBA to add further protection, but essentially you own your name.
DBA, assumed name, presumed name, etc. are all the same. Normally, your state will have you perform a name search online and reserve it if available. Once reserved, no one else can use the name you are holding within the allotted time frame (i.e. 120 day name reserve, 48 hours name reserve).
Once you've confirmed the name is available and have it reserved, you can go ahead and apply for your DBA online or at your local county clerk building. Depending on the state (or town/county), you may receive your DBA same day or within days to weeks. A DBA is normally good for 5 (or more years), in which you will then need to renew at the end of that period.
Cost of DBA in Every State
The cost of filing a DBA (or "DBA notice") can range anywhere from $10 to $100 along with needing to be renewed normally every 5 or more years, if required. Again, this varies from state to state. Here are the latest fees to get a DBA for each state (updated as of 3/9/22)
- Alabama DBA - $30
- Alaska DBA - $25
- Arizona DBA - $10
- Arkansas DBA - $25
- California DBA - $26
- Colorado DBA - $20, $10 each renewal
- Connecticut DBA - Depending on the town, between $5-$10
- Delaware DBA - $25
- Florida DBA - $50
- Georgia DBA - Can vary amongst counties a little more or little less than $172
- Hawaii DBA - $50
- Idaho DBA - $25
- Illinois DBA - *this is an interesting one. For each year ending in a 0 or 5, you must pay a $150 filing fee; $120 for years ending in 1 or 6; $90 for years ending in 2 or 7; $60 for years ending in 3 or 8; or $30 for years ending in 4 or 9.
- Indiana DBA - $25
- Iowa DBA - $7
- Kansas DBA - State law does not require or permit the registration or filing of DBAs or fictitious names.
- Kentucky DBA - $20
- Louisiana DBA - $75
- Maine DBA - Depending on the town, between $10-$20
- Maryland DBA - $25
- Massachusetts DBA - Depending on the town, between $35-$65
- Michigan DBA - Depending on the county, between $10-$16
- Minnesota DBA - $50 to file online or in person, compared to $30 via mail
- Mississippi DBA - $25
- Missouri DBA - $7
- Montana DBA - $20
- Nebraska DBA - $100
- Nevada DBA - $20
- New Hampshire DBA - $50
- New Jersey DBA - $25 if the form is already notarized or $31 if you get it notarized at the clerk's office
- New Mexico DBA - New Mexico has no state requirement for filing a DBA.
- New York DBA - $33
- North Carolina DBA - $26
- North Dakota DBA - $25
- Ohio DBA - $39
- Oklahoma DBA - $25
- Oregon DBA - $50
- Pennsylvania DBA - $70
- Rhode Island DBA - $50
- South Carolina DBA - $10
- South Dakota DBA - $10
- Tennessee DBA - $20
- Texas DBA - $15 for sole proprietors, $25 for corporations
- Utah DBA - $22
- Vermont DBA - $50
- Virginia DBA - $10
- Washington DBA (state) - $5
- West Virginia DBA - $25
- Wisconsin DBA - $15
- Wyoming DBA - $100
