Registering a trade name, also known as “doing business as” or “DBA,” is a crucial legal step for individuals and businesses operating in Florida. This process allows you to conduct business under a name different from your legal name or registered business name.
DBA registration isn’t mandatory for forming corporations, LLCs, or partnerships. It doesn’t satisfy Workers’ Compensation Exemption requirements, nor is it needed for a person’s legal name or the registered name of a corporation, LLC, or partnership.
You can register a DBA in Florida online.
Florida’s Fictitious Name Act (s.865.09, F.S.) mandates that individuals or businesses register their “fictitious name” or “DBA” with the Florida Department of State before conducting business in Florida. This registration allows the individual or business to operate under a different name than their legal name and enables the public to search Sunbiz to identify who is operating under that trade name.
You can pay the DBA registration fee by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express), check, or money order. For check or money order payments, make all checks payable to the Florida Department of State, and payment must be in US dollars drawn from a US bank.
DBA registrations are valid for five years and expire on December 31st of the final year. You can renew your DBA registration online or by mail. You can also update your DBA registration before it expires.
Failure to register a DBA is a second-degree misdemeanor and is punishable as provided by law. Most banks and financial institutions also require proof of registration when opening an account.
The Division of Corporations administers the Fictitious Name Act and files all Fictitious Name Registrations that meet statutory requirements. However, they are not responsible for any name infringements that may occur. Fictitious names are filed for public notice purposes only. The Division must accept any fictitious name registration that meets the statutory requirements.
If you need legal, accounting, or tax assistance, please consult with an attorney or accountant.
