How to Register a Fictitious Name in Georgia

You must register a fictitious name, also known as a Doing Business As (DBA) name, if you intend to conduct business in Georgia under a name other than your legal name. By registering your DBA, you make sure that the public is aware of who is conducting business and that fraud is less likely. These are the procedures in Georgia for registering a fictitious name.

Step 1: Select Your Fictional Name You must pick a name that is not currently in use by another business entity registered with the Georgia Secretary of State before registering your DBA. You can use the online database of the Georgia Secretary of State to see if your desired name is available.

Second Step: Submit Your Registration You can register your DBA with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where your business will be located once you have confirmed that your desired name is available. You must provide your contact information, business name, and kind of enterprise.

Step 3: Make Your Registration Public You must publicize your registration after submitting it in the county’s official newspaper, depending on where your business is located. For two weeks in a row, this has to be done once per week. The price of publication varies by county.

Step 4: Obtain Your DBA Certificate

The Clerk of Superior Court will issue you a DBA certificate upon the publication of your registration. This certificate serves as documentation that your fictitious name has been registered, allowing you to use it legally going forward for your company.

How Much Does it Cost in Georgia to File a DBA? Depending on the county where you file, a DBA in Georgia has a range of fees. The cost of publication varies by county, although the filing fee normally ranges from $15 to $50. To find out the actual price, get in touch with your regional Clerk of Superior Court. How Much Does it Cost in Georgia to Register a Trade Name? In Georgia, registering a trade name is equivalent to registering a DBA. The fee ranges from $15 to $50 plus the cost of publication, depending on the county where you file. How Can I Obtain a DBA Certificate? You can get your DBA certificate from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where you filed once your DBA registration has been published. The certificate serves as evidence that your fictitious name has been registered and is therefore permissible to use for business purposes.

What Sets a DBA and an LLC Apart? A DBA is just the registration of a made-up name; it doesn’t establish a legal organization. An LLC, on the other hand, is a business entity that shields its owners from liabilities. You are still individually accountable for any business debts or legal actions even if you operate under a DBA. In most cases, if you create an LLC, you are not personally responsible for the debts or legal actions of the corporation.