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Every business has a legal name. When you form a sole proprietorship or partnership, the legal name of the business defaults to the name of the person who owns the business. For corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other statutory entities, their legal names are the ones on file with their formation documents. However, these legal names sometimes do not represent or communicate what the business offers.
That’s where a “doing business as” (DBA) name comes in. In Washington, this is referred to as a “trade name.” A DBA name allows businesses to operate under a name that’s different from their legal names. In the state of Washington, the registration of a DBA name is a requirement for any business that wants to use one.
In this guide, we’ll show you how your Washington business can benefit from a DBA name. Follow along to find out how to register and maintain a unique DBA name for your company.
A DBA name does not establish or create a separate legal entity for your business. Hence, it won’t have any bearing on how your business is taxed. Think of a DBA name as an alias for your business.
Below are the two primary categories of businesses that typically use DBA names:
Here are other benefits of a DBA that you can take advantage of:
Read on for a detailed overview of how to obtain and maintain a DBA name for your Washington business. The relevant information will be divided into sections below.
Businesses adopt DBA names or trade names for various reasons. One of those reasons is to create a distinct business name that describes the products or services offered. Some businesses use their names to reflect and communicate the values of their company. Still, others utilize a DBA name to establish an alternate name for a specific line of their business.
In the state of Washington, you are legally required to register a trade name to operate under a different name other than your legal name as a sole proprietor or partnership. The same goes for corporations, LLCs, or limited partnerships if they want to conduct business under a name other than registered with the Washington Secretary of State.
And even though DBA names are not exclusive, and registering does not protect it from being used by other local businesses, it is still in your best interest to pick a DBA name that is distinct and not too similar to ones already in use.
To verify if your desired Washington DBA name is available, check the Department of Revenue’s database for general licenses. Also, conduct a name search via the Secretary of State Corporation Registration Data for registered corporation and LLC names. If you plan to trademark your name, you may also want to check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for federally registered names.
The state of Washington also has naming requirements, namely:
The state of Washington has a fairly easy process for trade name registration. Below is a walk-through of the steps.
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
The state of Washington does not require a renewal for your DBA name, so it is valid indefinitely until you decide to change or cancel it.
There are two ways to change your DBA name:
There is no fee to cancel your DBA name. You can withdraw your registration through one of the following channels:
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
If you register a DBA name, your total cost will be $24, which includes the business license processing fee of $19 and a fee of $5 per trade name.
However, if you are starting a new business and registering for a business license and DBA name at the same time, there may be additional fees. You can find a breakdown of the fees here.
Online applications are processed within 10 business days. Paper applications are processed within three to six weeks.
Not all businesses benefit from registering a DBA name. If you are a sole proprietor or partnership, you might want to adopt one to advertise your business under a name that is not your personal name. Similarly, corporations and LLCs utilize DBA names when introducing new products or services that their current business name does not represent.
Unfortunately, registering a DBA name in Washington does not provide you exclusive use of it. It’s also worth noting that DBA names do not override trademarks. If you don’t want others to use your name, a trademark is the most practical way to protect your brand.
Yes, a business in Washington can register for an unlimited number of trade names.
The state of Washington uses the term “trade name” to refer to DBA names, but they are essentially the same thing.
As a sole proprietorship, you don’t need to register a DBA name if you plan to use your own name. However, if you plan on operating under a different name, you would need to register for a DBA name.
A DBA name is not a business structure. It will not create or establish a new legal entity. Hence, it will not impact how your business is taxed at the local, state, or federal level.
Do you need additional guidance on business formation in Washington? Connect with ZenBusiness to learn how we can help you speed up the process. Our experts in business formation and compliance will take the stress out of starting and growing your Washington small business.
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