How To Get a DBA in Alaska

What is an Alaska “doing business as” (DBA) name?

Essentially, a DBA name is a pseudonym for your business’s full legal name, the one you file with the state of Alaska when forming your company. It isn’t a separate business entity, though. For instance, you won’t owe taxes separately under your DBA name. It’s just another name for the business you’ve already established.

Also, in some states, there are no legal protections that come with assuming a DBA name. However, in Alaska, registering a DBA name gives you exclusive rights to that name for five years.

In Alaska, if you conduct business activities for your organization under a name different from your complete legal name, state regulations require that you register that name as a DBA name. Your state business license should indicate any DBA names you use.

It should be noted that different states sometimes use other names when referencing DBA names. Don’t be confused if you see them referred to as “fictitious business names,” “assumed names,” or “trade names” while researching DBA names. In Alaska, you might hear DBA names referred to as “trade names,” “assumed names,” or “also known as” (AKA). DBA names are a more formal recognition of this pseudonym.

There are two main categories of businesses that tend to seek DBA names:

• Sole proprietorships and partnerships: These types of businesses use DBA names to forge an identity separate from the names of their owners.
• Corporations and LLCs: These types of businesses are often required to include specific phrases, like “Corporation,” “Company,” “Limited,” or “Incorporated,” or an abbreviation of these words, in their names. Using a DBA name allows them to condense their formal names when promoting their services or products.

Since a DBA name doesn’t create a new business entity, alter your tax status, or provide any personal liability protection, you might wonder why you might need a DBA name. Depending on your business needs, though, various benefits come with using a DBA name.

• Appear more professional: If you’re a sole proprietor or working with a partner, doing business under a name other than your personal name will provide an appearance of professionalism for your venture. Clients and vendors are also likely to have more trust in a named business.
• Lose the formal name: As mentioned, corporations and LLCs are required to have certain designators included in their formal names. This can sound bulky or stuffy to the public. A DBA name allows you to move away from your formal name when promoting your company and use a trimmer name to resonate more with customers.
• Launch a new product: If your company offers more than one recognizable product, you might consider a DBA name. This allows you to brand and market each product line separately with its own identity while still being owned by the same company.
• Open a bank account: A DBA name comes with the freedom to conduct business transactions under this name. If you want to open a business bank account under your DBA name, though, financial institutions will require that this name be formally adopted and registered in your state. They’ll want to review a copy of this paperwork when you’re opening your account.
• Claim your name: By registering your DBA name, you’re formally claiming your name, which deters others from using it. Otherwise, you could have a marketing nightmare on your hands.

If you’re an Alaska business owner and think a DBA name might be right for you, keep reading. This guide will provide an overview of how to register a DBA name in Alaska.

How do I choose an Alaska DBA name?

The biggest reason many business owners use a DBA name is for marketing purposes. When choosing your Alaska DBA name, you need to select a distinctive name that best represents your products or services. You want to choose a name that is memorable for your customers and one that will be impactful.

You’ll also need to follow state guidelines when adopting a DBA name. In Alaska, your DBA name must be distinguishable from any registered corporate business name on record. Before registering your DBA name, do a name search on the state’s lookup tool to see if any business entities are already using your desired name.

Obtaining a business license alone does not protect your DBA name and keep others from using it. In fact, multiple business licenses may be issued under the same name.

Only registering a business or corporate name when forming your company gives you the exclusive right to that name. Alaska also dictates that DBA names don’t include any corporate designators, such as “Corporation” or “Limited Liability Company,” or an abbreviation of these words.

How do I register an Alaska DBA name?

Unlike most states, Alaska requires you to obtain a business license before being allowed to register your DBA name. This is done through the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing. The state also requires that you fill out a form called the Business Name Registration. This can also be done online.

Here are the steps to take when registering your Alaska DBA name:

Step 1: Obtain a business license.

Before you can register your DBA name, you must get a corresponding business license and register your business with the state. The name on your Alaska business license and your DBA name should match exactly.

Step 2: Determine if your name is distinguishable

Before registering your DBA name, double-check to make sure it’s distinguishable from any corporate name in use in Alaska. If you’d like to create a corporation in Alaska, we can help with our Alaska corporation service.

Step 3: Division of Corporations

Go to the section of the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing website, where you can find the Business Name Registration form.

Step 4: Filing Method

Determine if you are going to file online, mail in your registration, or email it.

Step 5: Complete Your Information

Enter all the information requested by the form: DBA business name, business license number, type of business, business address, owner name, and address, Alaska Entity Number (if relevant), and the nature of the business.

Step 6: Sign your form

If you’re a sole proprietor, only your signature is required. If you’re a partnership, only one owning partner must sign it. If a business entity is filing the DBA name, the individual signing must be on record with the state as an authorized signer.

Step 7: Provide contact information

A separate contact information form is attached to the Business Name Registration form. This contact information won’t be filed for record or appear online, but it will be used to assist with processing your DBA name registration.

Step 8: Remember the filing fee

You can pay this fee by check or money order made out to the State of Alaska or by credit card. A credit card authorization form is attached to the Business Name Registration form if you’re filing by mail.

Step 9: Final Checks

Lastly, check with your county and city where you do business to determine if they have any separate DBA name filing requirements at the local level.

How do I manage ongoing DBA name compliance in Alaska?

A registered Alaska DBA name is valid for five years. This means you’ll need to renew it every five years if you intend to continue operating under that name. It must be renewed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 of the year it’s set to expire.

It’s easy enough to renew your DBA name registration. You just need to fill out the Renew Business Name Registration form. You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee every five years.

If you need to change your DBA name, the steps you’ll take will depend on the nature of this update. If you’re changing the DBA name, you’ll need to fill out a new registration form. You’ll also likely need a new business license to reflect this name. If you decide to terminate your DBA name, you can do so by canceling your business license of the same name. There is no fee associated with filing the form to request the inactivation of your business license.