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Get a DBA Name for Your Missouri Business Today

If you’re an entrepreneur in Missouri, you may not wish to use your business’s full legal name for all of your company’s activities. If so, a “doing business as” (DBA) name could be a helpful branding tool, allowing you to conduct your small business under a different title.

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A “doing business as” or DBA name (also called an assumed name, fictitious business name, or trade name) is not a business structure and does not affect how your business will be taxed. Instead, a DBA name allows a business to operate under another name that’s different from your business’s legal name. If you’re a sole proprietor, it can also allow you to open a business bank account and transact in another name that’s not your own. 

Missouri requires that “anyone doing business under a name other than their true name to file a fictitious name registration with the Secretary of State’s office.” Read on to learn more about DBA names, how your business can benefit from having one, and how we can help make the process easy.

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

A DBA name, or a “fictitious name” as it’s called in the state of Missouri, authorizes businesses to operate with a different name under a single legal entity. This is because a DBA name does not create a business structure. So, a sole proprietor can continue being a sole proprietor but will also have the ability to use a business name, while an LLC owner can have three product lines under three separate DBA names.

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

• Sole proprietorships and partnerships: Sole proprietorships and partnerships conduct business under their own legal names. And although that could work for some businesses, it might not be representative of a hair salon, for example. If the hair salon is named “Kendra Smith,” the business will have a difficult time attracting customers because it doesn’t give any indication of what the business offers. However, if the owner registers “Kendra’s Hair Creations” as a DBA name, the name wouldn’t need much of an explanation. It’s easily understood and better for branding. 
• LLCs and corporations: LLCs and corporations utilize DBA names to launch new product lines, drop the entity designation, such as “LLC” and “Corporation,” or use a shorter version of their name for advertising.

Benefits of using a DBA name

Here are some benefits that all business structures can take advantage of by using a DBA name:

• Affordability: Getting a DBA name will keep the cost of starting your own business down if you’re a sole proprietor. It allows you to operate under a business name without a formal business structure. If you’re an owner of an LLC or a corporation, it will also be less expensive to register a DBA name than form another entity.
• Ease of compliance: The process of registering a DBA name is definitely less complicated than forming an LLC or a corporation, which is great for small businesses. A DBA name will also allow sole proprietors and partnerships to legally operate under a more descriptive name without needing to form a corporation or LLC.
• Privacy: This specifically benefits sole proprietors and partnerships who don’t want to use their legal names to conduct business with the public. A DBA name will make it easier for owners to use a business name other than their real names. 
• Business bank account: A DBA name will authorize you to set up a business bank account under a business name. For sole proprietors, having a business bank account is especially beneficial because it separates the business transactions from the owner’s personal finances.

Keep reading to find out how to register your Missouri DBA name. In the sections below, you’ll also learn when to submit corrections and how to maintain your fictitious name.

How do I choose a Missouri DBA name?

A Missouri DBA name is a way for you to create brand recognition. So, it’s important that you spend time coming up with one that represents and defines your business. Think of a name that reflects your products and services. If you’re an LLC or corporation owner looking to start a separate product category for your business, make sure the DBA name communicates that, as well. 

DBA name requirements

While brainstorming for a fictitious name for your business, you should also consider the following requirements set out by the state of Missouri:

• Fictitious names should not include any word or phrase that expresses or implies that your business represents a government agency.
• Fictitious names should not include any business entity suffix, for example, “LLC,” “Incorporated,” “Ltd,” etc., unless your company is an LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.
• Fictitious names should not include words used in a way that expresses or implies that your business is a financial institution. Examples of these words are “Bank,” “Trust,” and “Savings.”

The state of Missouri, like most states, does not offer name protection for DBA names. This means multiple businesses can operate under the same name. However, there’s still a way for you to stand out and make sure you’re the only one operating under your preferred brand name. 

You can start by checking Missouri’s business entity database to see if other local businesses are already using your desired DBA name. But a trademark overrides a DBA registration. So, it’s also important for you to verify from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that no other company has trademarked the name you want to use.

How do I register a Missouri DBA name?

Fictitious name registration is a fairly easy process. Follow the step-by-step guide below to get a DBA name for your Missouri business today.

1. Search the business entity database to confirm if your desired name is available. Follow these guidelines set out by the office of the Secretary of State for the use of the online business filing system.
2. File your registration. You can file online with the Missouri online portal. They have instructions that can help if you’re having difficulty navigating Missouri’s online business filing system. To file a paper copy, you can fill out the “Registration of Fictitious Name” form. You will need the following information:
   1. DBA name being registered
   2. Business address
   3. Names and addresses of owners
   4. Owners’ percentage of ownership
   5. Business charter number (if applicable)
   6. Original signature of owners
3. Send your registration. If you are filing a paper copy, your registration and the fee of $7 can be mailed or delivered in-person in the addresses specified below. If you plan to hand your application in-person through the branch offices, they also advise that you call ahead to confirm that your registration can be processed.

How do I manage ongoing DBA name compliance in Missouri?

The state of Missouri does not have a publication requirement for DBA name registration. So, once you receive confirmation of your DBA name application, you can start using it as a business name immediately. 

However, there are compliance requirements that you still need to adhere to, such as:

• Renewal requirements: Your DBA name registration is only valid for five years and should be renewed within six months before the expiry date. Make sure you file for a renewal before the expiry date because an expired registration can’t be renewed, and you’ll have to file a new DBA name application. To renew, submit the “Registration of Fictitious Name” form with the renewal box ticked. File your application with the renewal fee of $7 online, by mail, or in-person to the same addresses listed above.
• Amendments and corrections: To modify the address of the business or owner(s), you’ll have to file an amendment. Use the “Registration of Fictitious Name” form; just remember to check the amendment box. To correct errors on a recently filed application, you’ll have to submit the same form but with the correction box ticked. Examples of mistakes that can be corrected are typos, misspelled words, or an interchanged number in an address. The fee for every amendment or correction filing is $7.
• Cancellation of registration: In compliance with the Fictitious Name Act, if there’s a change in ownership of a business with an existing DBA name registration, a “Cancellation of Registration of Fictitious Name” form has to be filed within five days of such change. There is no fee for canceling your DBA name registration. If you or the new business owners wish to continue using the DBA name, a new application is necessary.

The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Are you overwhelmed by all the preparations for starting your own business? Do you need assistance in business formation in Missouri? Contact ZenBusiness today to learn how we can speed up the process. Our experts can take the stress out of running and growing your Missouri small business.

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