Our picks for DBA filing services
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ZenBusiness |
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Visit ZenBusiness |
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Northwest Registered Agent |
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Visit Northwest |
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Incfile.com |
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Visit Incfile |
The abbreviated business term DBA means ‘doing business as.’ A DBA is any registered name that a company or individual uses to do business that is not its legal name.
The legal of a business differs depending on its business structure. For limited liability companies (LLCs) and incorporations, the legal name is the company’s name. The legal name defaults to the business owner or owners’ personal name for sole proprietors and partnerships.
DBAs are also commonly called fictitious names, trade names, or assumed business names. In Utah, a DBA is most commonly referred to as an assumed name.
For example, if you own a business, its legal name is your own name (e.g., Laura Jackson). Laura Jackson wants to open a hair salon. She knows she can’t use her full legal name because people won’t know what she offers. So, Laura Jackson files a DBA in Utah for Laura’s Locks. It is now her assumed business name.
The DBA changes nothing else about Laura’s Locks business structure or legal entity.
Laura Jackson now operates under the new name Laura’s Locks. It no longer defaults to her full legal name.
DBA vs assumed business name
- In Utah, a DBA is most commonly referred to as an assumed name.
- An assumed name, or DBA, is how companies operate using a name that isn’t their legal name in Utah.
- A DBA is only an alias.
- A DBA has to be associated with a legal business entity.
- A DBA and an assumed business name are the same things.
Who needs a DBA?
In Utah, all sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, and corporations register a DBA name if they intend to operate a company under an assumed name that isn’t its full legal name.
A DBA benefits all types of businesses. The pros are dependent on the business entity and the owner’s personal preferences.
- New businesses. Utah requires that all new businesses file a DBA if they wish to operate using an assumed name.
- Sole proprietors. In Utah, all sole proprietorships and partnerships must register a DBA if they wish to operate using any name that is not the owners’ own name. Without a DBA, the business name defaults to the owner’s full personal name. It is because they share the same legal entity with the company.
- LLCS. LLCs regularly expand and operate businesses with different names. In Utah, an LLC must file a DBA if they intend to operate a business using any name that isn’t the company’s name.
- Corporations. Corporations use DBAs when they open and operate businesses in different industries. In Utah, incorporations that wish to operate a business using a name that is not their company must register a DBA name.
- Franchises. Regularly, franchisees use DBAs. For example, if you purchase a Piggly Wiggly franchise, it is formed as an LLC and listed as 8951 Piggly Wiggly LLC. You file a DBA in Utah to shorten the business’s name from its numerical listing.
Small business owners and startups benefit from filing a DBA in Utah. A DBA allows business owners to name their business what they wish without the complication of forming a separate LLC to use an assumed name.
Why do you need a DBA?
- A DBA helps small business owners and startups avoid the complexity of forming a separate LLC. A DBA is a straightforward and affordable way for a sole proprietorship to operate using an assumed business name.
- LLCs and corporations benefit from a Utah DBA. A DBA allows LLCs the freedom to operate different businesses without forming a separate LLC for each company they purchase. For example, if Lynn’s Ink LLC wants to start a printer ink service. The LLC must register an assumed business name in Utah to use a company name that isn’t the LLC’s.
- A DBA addresses the privacy concerns of sole proprietors and co-partnerships. Sole proprietors and general partnerships must put their personal names on public-facing material unless they register a DBA name in Utah.
- DBAs separate personal assets from business assets. A DBA does not offer any legal protections or liability protection. However, a DBA does prove that your business assets and personal assets are independent of each other, which decreases personal liability.
- A DBA keeps business banking simple. Banks and financial institutions require that you file a DBA to open a separate business bank account. Opening a different business account also protects personal assets and credit scores.
- DBAs make branding easier and more affordable in Utah. The name of a business, or brand name, is the first thing that a customer or client notices. For example, customers would not know that Laura Jackson opened a salon without a Utah DBA.
How to set up a DBA in Utah
Step 1 – Utah assumed name search
All Utah DBA names must be unique and meet the state requirements.
You will visit the Utah Business Search website and search for assumed name availability.
Step 2 – File your Utah DBA with the Secretary of State
You can file your Utah DBA online using the State of Utah’s website or complete the Business Name Registration/DBA Application and submit it by mail.
The Business Name Registration form includes important sections including:
- The entire purpose of the business.
- The registered agent’s contact information.
- The owner’s contact information.
- If a registered company, the owner’s entity number.
Office address:
Heber M. Wells Building
160 E 300 S, 1st Floor
Salt Lake City Utah 84111
Mailing address:
Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code
PO Box 146705
Salt Lake City Utah 84114-6705
Commerce’s Division of Corporations and Commercial Code:
801-530-4849
877-526-3994
Step 3 – Pay Utah DBA filing fees
The DBA filing fee in Utah is $22. Utah DBAs expire every three years and require renewal.
You can renew your Utah DBA online. The processing fee to renew your assumed name is $27.
Utah DBA name restrictions
- Business entity suffixes such as LLC, incorporation, Inc, etc., unless it is your actual business structure.
- Words related to banking institutions, such as a bank, bank trust, etc.
- Any words imply, insinuate, or confuse a business with an agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
Forms needed to file a DBA in Utah
Utah DBA tax considerations
- In Utah, a DBA only changes the name of your business.
- A DBA has no effect on the status of a business entity for tax purposes.
- You do not have to have a separate employer identification number because a DBA is not a legal entity.
- The IRS does not require that you have a separate tax ID number.
How much does a DBA filing cost in Utah?
The DBA cost in Utah is $22. Utah does not offer any expedited services.
A Utah assumed name expires every three years and requires renewal. The renewal processing fee is $27.
Professional DBA filing services
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness is an affordable solution for entrepreneurs, such as affordable LLC formations, and incorporations. ZenBusiness does offer a stand-alone registered agent service for $99 a year.
- Swyft Filings: Swyft Filings is a quality DBA service. They assign a registered agent to every client, making them a customer favorite. Swyft Filings offers a DBA obtainment package that costs $99 plus state fees.
- LegalZoom: LegalZoom does it all. The purpose of its design is to be a “one-stop-shop” for small businesses and their legal needs.
- MyCompanyWorks: MyCompanyWorks doesn’t have the experience that other professional DBA obtainment services have. However, they’ve served thousands of businesses successfully. MyCompanyWorks offers one DBA filing package for $99 plus state fees. You can add a couple of extras for additional fees.
- CorpNet: Corpnet’s biggest draw is that they have the best customers. It is hard to find a bad review about their DBA obtainment services.
- MyCorporation: MyCorporation has served over a million businesses over the last 20+ years. Their customer reviews reflect their longevity and success. The cost of MyCorportation DBA services is $99 plus State Fees. The expedited rush service is an additional $100.
- BizFilings: BizFilings offers entrepreneurs and small businesses services, such as LLC filing and incorporation services. The starting price of $99 plus state fees for BizFilings DBA obtainment services is pretty standard. However, it doesn’t include a namecheck in states that require them. Alabama does.
FAQs
It takes Utah 1-2 business days to process a DBA. Utah does not offer any expedited services.
You can make changes to your Utah assumed business name online using the Business Registration Information Changes website or by completing the Doing Business As (DBA) Registration Information Change Form and submitting it by mail.
The processing fee to make amendments to your Utah DBA is $15.
Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code
PO Box 146705
Salt Lake City Utah 84114-6705
You can withdraw your Utah DBA by completing the Letter of the Cancellation Form and submitting it by mail.
Utah does not charge a processing fee to cancel an assumed business name.
In Utah, you can register as many DBA as you want and can track.
You must follow the same process with each one and be approved by the Utah Secretary of State.
- DBA registration and a trademark are two separate things.
- A DBA allows you to use a fictitious business name that is not the legal name of your business.
- A trademark is an intellectual property registration that protects your business’ brand name.
- A trademark protects your brand name both federally and on a state level.
LLC registration costs $70 in Utah.
You will file the Certificate of Organization with the Utah Commerce Divisions of Corporations can Codes.
Utah allows you to act as your own registered agent.
However, services are available online that ensure your compliance and guide you through a complicated process.
A Utah DBA helps small businesses avoid registering an LLC just to name a business. However, there are other reasons why you may want to register an LLC.
