If you want to start a business in Georgia, you might be asking how to file a Doing Business As (DBA), or fake business name, registration. A DBA is a name used by a business that differs from the legal name of the entity or business owner. If you intend to operate a business in Georgia under a name other than your own, you must first register a DBA. Here is a step-by-step instruction manual to get you going.
Choosing a name is the first step in registering a DBA in Georgia. The name must be distinct and not being used by another company in the state. By conducting an online search or contacting the Georgia Secretary of State’s office directly, you can determine whether a name is available.
Step 2: Submit an Application for Registration The next step is to submit a registration form to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office once you have decided on a name. You can submit the form electronically or by mail. You’ll have to give information like your name, address, business name, and the kind of business you’ll be running.
Third Step: Post a Notice You must publish a notice of your DBA in a local newspaper once per week for two consecutive weeks after submitting the registration form. Your name, the name of your company, and the location of your company should all be mentioned in the notification. You must give the Georgia Secretary of State’s office documentation that your publication been made public.
Step 4: Obtain Any Necessary Licenses and Permits You might need to apply for extra permits and licenses from local or state authorities depending on the type of business you plan to run. For instance, the Georgia Department of Revenue will require that you obtain a liquor license if you intend to sell alcohol. Does a DBA require its own bank account?
Open a separate bank account for your business even though a DBA is not a distinct legal entity. This can make it simpler to track your business costs for tax purposes and keep your personal and corporate finances separate.
Depending on the kind of business you’ll be running and where it will be located, Georgian business license prices vary. For instance, an Atlanta basic business license is $75, but a license for a restaurant or other food service business might be up to $300.
An LLC may use numerous DBAs, but each one must be published in a local newspaper and registered separately with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. Does Georgia need a business license?
Yes, obtaining a business license from the local government is necessary for the majority of firms in Georgia. The need for a license, however, may not apply to all businesses. It’s critical to confirm with your local government whether a business license is required.