Assumed Name Certificate (d/b/a – Doing Business As)
What is a d/b/a?
d/b/a means “doing business as”, also referred to as an “assumed name certificate“, and is required for businesses operating under a name other than their legal name. For an entity named ABC Recovery, LLC to do business under a different name (for example, Vanderburgh House), it will need to file a certificate with a local city or town. This step is completed after an entity is formed.
If you file for a d/b/a on behalf of a legal entity (such as an LLC or corporation), it allows you to do business under a name other than the name under which your business is legally registered. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are legally required to file for a d/b/a, but almost any business entity type could benefit from having one.
Why Do I Need a d/b/a?
The most important reason to have a d/b/a is to allow you to transact business under the name Vanderburgh House. This will allow you to add the name “Vanderburgh House” to your bank account in order to receive payments payable to Vanderburgh House. The bank will require this paperwork before allowing your business to accept payments to Vanderburgh House.
Applying for a d/b/a
Regardless of whether you will operate your Vanderburgh House business as a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or LLC, you must file an assumed name certificate (d/b/a) with the appropriate governmental office with the assumed name of Vanderburgh House. The assumed name certificate is sometimes called a trade name certificate or a fictitious business name certificate or a d/b/a registration.
Where to apply
Most likely, you will file for a d/b/a at your city or town clerk’s office. You should look on their website for anything mentioning:
- Business certificate
- Assumed name certificate
- “doing business as”
Cities and towns may have different requirements. Be sure to read through their requirements carefully. They tend to differ significantly, especially in smaller towns.
How to apply
Each jurisdiction uses a different form. Generally, the required information includes the name of the business, the street address of the business, the name of the business owner(s), the type of business to be conducted, and the expected period of operation. The expected period of operation should correspond to the initial term of the Franchise Agreement. Usually, each owner must sign the certificate and all signatures must be notarized. Fees generally range from $10 to $100. In some jurisdictions, you will need to place a fictitious name notice in a local newspaper for a certain amount of time.
d/b/a form sample