Do You Need a DBA in Arizona?

You might be asking if you need to file a DBA if you’re launching a business in Arizona. Doing business as (DBA), sometimes known as “doing business as,” is the official registration of a business name that differs from the entity’s legal name. Most businesses in Arizona do not need to register a DBA, but there are a few exceptions.

If a sole proprietor or general partnership wants to use a name other than their given name or the name of their company, they must file a DBA. John Smith does not have to file a DBA if his company is called “John Smith Consulting,” for instance. To operate under the name “Arizona Business Solutions,” he must file a DBA, though.

However, corporations and LLCs are exempt from Arizona’s DBA filing requirement. This is so that when the corporation is created, the legal name of the company is registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). An indication of the entity type, such as LLC, Corp., or Inc., must be included in the legal name.

However, an LLC or corporation must submit a trade name registration form to the ACC if they wish to use a name other than their legal name. Similar to a DBA registration, but only available to corporations and limited liability companies. To use the term “Arizona Business Solutions,” for instance, XYZ LLC would need to register the trade name.

Arizona additionally requires LLCs to incorporate the words “Limited Liability Company” or an acronym (LLC or L.L.C.) in their business name in addition to DBA and trade name registrations. Informing the public that the organization is an LLC and has limited liability protection is the purpose of this.

You must first submit Articles of Organization and the necessary fee to the ACC in order to establish an LLC in Arizona. This can be done by mail or online. You must publish an LLC Entity Publication with a newspaper in the county where the LLC is located once the ACC approves the Articles of Organization. Within 60 days of the ACC’s clearance, this must be completed.

A PLLC, or professional limited liability company, must have the phrase “professional limited liability company” or an acronym (PLLC or P.L.L.C. ), or both, in its name. Licensed professions including doctors, lawyers, and accountants employ this kind of company.

Last but not least, the LLC Entity ID is a special number that the ACC has given to an LLC. The business is identified by this nine-digit number in numerous government filings and for tax purposes. The ACC will approve your articles of organization before you acquire your LLC Entity ID.

The majority of businesses in Arizona do not need to register a DBA, however there are certain exceptions. If an LLC or corporation wants to use a name other than their legal name, they must register it as a trade name, and LLCs must include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation in their business name. In order to form an LLC in Arizona, Articles of Organization and an LLC Entity Publication must be submitted, and a PLLC’s name must contain the phrase “professional limited liability company” or a similar acronym. An LLC is given a special ID by the ACC called the LLC Entity ID.