A DBA (Doing Business As) registration enables a business to conduct operations under a name other than its legal name. You might want to think about obtaining a DBA if you’re creating a sole business or partnership in Washington State. What you need to know about obtaining a DBA in Washington State is provided below.
Step 1: Pick a Name for Your Company Choosing a name for your company should be your first move. There cannot be another company in Washington State with this name. On the Washington Secretary of State website, you may see if a business name is available.
Second Step: Register Your DBA You must register your DBA with the Washington Secretary of State after deciding on a name. There is a $5 registration charge. This can be done by mail or online. You must have your registration form notarized if you decide to mail it in.
Step 3: Publish Your DBA
Following the completion of your DBA registration, you are required to publish a notice of your new business name in a newspaper in the county where your company is based. For four weeks straight, the notice must be published once a week. The Washington Secretary of State will need to see proof of publishing.
How much does a DBA cost in the state of Washington? In Washington State, the registration fee for a DBA is $5. However, you could also have to pay for the newspaper advertisement announcing your new company name. How to Form a Sole Proprietorship in the State of Washington
1. Pick a name for your company. 2. Register your company with the Washington Secretary of State
3. Obtain all required licenses and permits
4. File taxes with the Washington Department of Revenue
5. Open a business bank account
What Distinguishes an LLC from a DBA?
A DBA is not a limited liability company, which is a type of legal entity. In contrast to a DBA, an LLC shields its owners from personal liability. A DBA is only a mechanism for a company to conduct business under a name other than its legal name.
No, in Washington State, two firms cannot share the same DBA name. A DBA name needs to be specific to the company utilizing it. Your registration will be denied if you try to register a DBA name that is currently in use by another company.
Finally, applying for a DBA in Washington State is a straightforward procedure that may be finished online or by mail. The registration charge is merely $5, but you might have to pay extra to have a newspaper publish a notice of your new company name. It’s crucial to pick an original name for your company and to keep in mind that a DBA does not offer personal liability protection because it is not a legal entity like an LLC.