Choosing a name for your company might be difficult. You need a name that will stick in your mind, is distinctive, and effectively describes your brand. But is it possible for your LLC (limited liability company) and DBA (doing business as) to share the same name? The quick answer is yes, but there are several crucial factors to take into account first.
First, it’s critical to comprehend the distinction between an LLC and a DBA. A DBA is a name that a company uses to conduct business; it is often referred to as a “fictitious name” or “trade name.” When a company wants to operate under a name other than its legal name, they employ this. The owners of a business are protected from personal liability by an LLC, which is a registered corporate structure with the state.
While using the same name for your DBA and LLC is possible, it is crucial to make sure the name is available and not currently in use by another company. To find out if the name has already been trademarked, you can do a search on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) website. In order to determine whether the name is accessible for use, you should also contact the office of business registration in your state.
It’s crucial to use the name correctly if you choose to have the same name for both your DBA and LLC. All marketing and advertising materials should use the DBA, and all financial and legal records should use the LLC name. By doing this, confusion or potential legal problems will be reduced.
Depending on the type of trademark application and the number of classes of products and services that the trademark will cover, the cost of trademarking a name in Washington, D.C., might change. A typical trademark application with one class of products and services costs $275 at the moment. There will be an additional charge for certain categories of goods and services.
A business may use several trade names, but it’s crucial to confirm that each name is registered and hasn’t previously been adopted by another company. Additionally, you will need to file an Article Amendment with your state’s office for business registration if you decide to modify the name of your registered business. This will ensure that all official papers reflect the new name and change the legal name of your company.
Conclusion: Your DBA and LLC can use the same name, but it’s crucial to make sure the name is available and not currently in use by another company. Additionally, it’s critical to utilize the name correctly and confirm that the LLC name appears on all legal and financial papers. The business registration agency in your state will require an Article Amendment if you choose to modify the name of your registered business.
The same DBA name cannot be used by two different businesses. Each company should have a distinct DBA name to prevent confusion and potential legal problems. As long as they are registered in different states, it is possible for two businesses to share the same LLC name.