A DBA (Doing Business As), commonly referred to as a Pennsylvania Domestic Fictitious Name, is a name that a company employs in addition to its legal name. This name is utilized in commercial endeavors and for the promotion of goods and services. The registration of fictitious names in Pennsylvania is controlled by the Department of State. Do I Need a DBA in Pennsylvania?
You must register a DBA in Pennsylvania if you are a lone proprietor or partnership and want to operate your business under a name other than your legal name. However, because your business name is already registered with the state if you are a corporation or LLC, you are not required to submit a DBA.
Use the online business name search tool provided by the Pennsylvania Department of State to see if a fictitious name is already in use in Pennsylvania. You can use this tool to look up potential company names and fake names. If the name you want is already taken, you can register it by filing a registration form.
A fictional name is used to provide a company a unique identity for marketing and branding purposes. Additionally, it permits a company to transact business under a name other than its legal name. On promotional items like business cards, brochures, and websites, this term is frequently utilized.
Although they are not the same, trade names and DBAs are frequently used synonymously. A DBA is a name that a business uses to carry on business under a name other than its legal name, whereas a trade name is a name that a business uses to identify itself to the public. When a company is already registered under its legal name, it is not necessary to register a trade name with the Department of State in Pennsylvania.