How To Get a DBA in Maryland

A doing business as (DBA) name (also called an assumed name, fictitious business name, or trade name) is a filing you must make when you want to operate under a name that is not on its formation document. There are many reasons why a DBA might be a good idea, but you want to make sure you get it done right.

Although we don’t support DBA registration in Maryland, this guide can give you the essential information you need to know about Maryland DBA names, how to get one, and how to maintain one to make sure you stay legally compliant.

What is a Maryland “doing business as” (DBA) name?

When you first found a business in Maryland, you must select a name for your business. There are state laws governing the details of that name. For example, certain types of business structures must be appropriately identified. If you establish a limited liability company, for instance, the business name must end with “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation like  “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” or “LC” (without periods).

In such cases, including the entity’s full legal name in all of your business materials can be a nuisance. Instead of being short and memorable, the full business name is long and clunky. However, with a DBA name, you are allowed to conduct business without using the full legal name. You can use your DBA name instead, for example, in marketing materials, business cards, signage, and more.

In Maryland, a DBA name is referred to as a “trade name.” Other terms for DBA names used in other states include “fictitious name,” “fictitious business name,” or “assumed name.” These are just different terms for the same concept: In all cases, a DBA name is simply an alias. It isn’t a type of business structure, like an LLC, and registering a DBA name for your business won’t change its entity status, taxation obligations, or reporting requirements.

Also, beware that a Maryland trade name is not copyrighted or trademarked. If your trade name application is accepted, you get to use that trade name for business purposes in Maryland. But you don’t get any special additional right to use the name beyond this. If you want exclusive rights to a business alias across the country, you have to trademark it federally.

So, why might you bother getting a DBA name for your Maryland business? There are two types of entities that usually opt for a DBA name:

• Sole proprietorships and partnerships: Sole proprietorships and partnerships are referred to by their owner’s or owners’ legal name(s). A DBA name allows for more flexibility in terms of branding and gives the owners greater privacy.
• Corporations and LLCs: Corporations and LLCs often register trade names for marketing reasons. “Silver Spring Lawn Care & Gardening, Limited Liability Company” is a mouthful. “Silver Spring Lawn Care” is snappier.

Whatever type of business entity you have, if you want to do business under a name other than the officially registered one, you need a trade name — before you start operations. According to the state, any person “doing business or trading under any designation, title, or name other than the person’s own name, prior to commencing operation of the business, shall file with the Department of Assessments and Taxation a certificate … disclosing the name, title, or designation under which the business is conducted.”

Obviously, you want to make sure your Maryland business is legally compliant. However, there are also other business reasons to consider establishing a Maryland trade name:

• Privacy protection: As mentioned, sole proprietorship or partnership entities are regularly referred to by the owner’s/owners’ name(s). A trade name gives you an alternative moniker so that you can disassociate your private identity from your business one.
• Marketing flexibility: A short trade name allows for more versatility in your marketing. If your business offers different services or products, different DBA names can simplify branding, allowing you to have a dedicated name for each type of good.
• Professional banking: As a business owner, it’s important to open a business bank account that keeps your personal and professional finances separate. When you show a bank your trade name registration, they can open an account for you under that name.

Some level of exclusivity: While a trade name doesn’t give you exclusivity like a copyright or trademark does, Maryland law does state that a trade name can’t be used twice for two different businesses. So, once you claim your trade name, nobody else in the state can use it.

How do I register a Maryland DBA name?

For DBA registration in Maryland, you can file online or by mail. Here’s how to do it by mail.

Download and Print the “Trade Name Application”

Download and print the “Trade Name Application” from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Select Your Desired Trade Name

Write your desired trade name on line one.

Provide the Business Street Address

Write the street address where your business operates (where the trade name is used) on line two.

Enter the Legal Owner or Business Name

Write the full legal name of the owner or business or individual using the trade name (what’s registered with the state) on line three.

Specify Personal Property Account

If the entity is a sole proprietor (individual) or general partnership, designate whether they have a personal property account on line four.

Provide Owner’s Address

Note the owner’s address on line five.

Describe the Business Purpose

Provide a description of the business purpose on line six.

Signature of All Owners

All owners must sign the form.

Payment of Filing Fee

Pay the $25 filing fee. You can request expedited processing for an additional $50 (for a fee of $75 total). Do not send cash. Make checks payable to the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Submission by Mail or Online

Send the document and filing fee via mail to:
Charter Division
Department of Assessments and Taxation
301 W. Preston Street, Room 801
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Online

Visit Maryland’s Business Express Website

Visit the Business Express website, Maryland’s one-stop shop for founding a business. If you don’t have an account, you can create one here.

Complete the Online Trade Name Registration Application

Once you have your account, you can access the online application for registration of a trade name. Be prepared to provide the following details:
Your desired trade name
The street address where your business operates (where the trade name is used)
The full legal name of the owner or business or individual using the trade name (what’s registered with the state)
If the entity is a sole proprietor (individual) or general partnership, whether they have a personal property account
The owner’s address
A description of the business purpose
Signatures of the owners

Submit the Registration Fee Online

Pay the $25 filing fee. You can request expedited processing for an additional $50 (for a fee of $75 total). Note the added processing fees for credit card or PayPal payments (3%) and eCheck ().

How do I choose a Maryland DBA name?

Choosing a business name requires serious thought. Don’t just pick the first thing that pops into your head. You want something that isn’t too long, so you can easily incorporate it into marketing materials. It shouldn’t be complicated because you want people to remember it easily. 

Finally, take note of Maryland’s legal requirements for trade names. The trade name must:

• Be unique: You can’t use a trade name if another business is already using it. To make sure your desired name is available, check the Maryland business entity search. Additionally, if you have a home improvement business, contact the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to check name availability.
• Avoid restricted words: You may not use words related to the banking or insurance industries unless your business is actually licensed and approved to operate in these sectors. Restricted words include “Savings,” “Trust,” “Credit Union,” “Insurance,” “Bank,” and “Banker.”
• Avoid misleading business entity designations: Business entity designations include “Corporation,” “Inc.,” “Corp.,” and “LLC.” You can’t include such terminology in your trade name in a misleading fashion. So, if your business is a formally recognized LLC, you can’t include “Corporation” in your trade name.

How do I manage ongoing DBA name compliance in Maryland?

Assuming you have met the Maryland legal requirements, your trade name application should be approved. Make sure to double-check that you’ve met the naming and registration requirements and completed all of the paperwork correctly. If your application is denied, you will have to re-apply and pay a new processing fee.

Once your Maryland trade name is approved, your work isn’t done yet. You are responsible for ensuring that your trade name remains legally compliant. Your Maryland trade name will be valid for five years from the date that it’s accepted. You should renew it before the expiry date. You can do this any time during the six months before the expiration date.

You can renew your trade name online via the Business Express website. To renew, you will have to again pay a $25 filing fee. You can request expedited processing for an additional $50 (for a fee of $75 total). Note the added processing fees for credit card or PayPal payments (3%) and eCheck ().

You may decide to change your trade name at some point. You don’t have to wait for the five-year validity period to expire to modify your moniker. Note that you must first cancel the original trade name by completing the “Trade Name Cancellation Application” and pay a $25 filing fee. Once this is done, you can then change your trade name by completing the “Trade Name Amendment Application.” You will have to pay a $25 filing fee. There is also the option to pay an added $50 for expedited filing.

We Can Help!

While we don’t currently support DBA registration in Maryland, we can help you create one in states we do support, including: Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas and Utah. We can make creating a DBA name in another state for your business simple.