Our free guide provides you with all of the information you'll need to file your DBA in Florida. Bookmark this page as a reference so you can return easily as you complete each step of the process.
Use Our Free GuideOur Step By Step Guide
Filing a DBA (also known as Doing Business As) allows you to operate and receive payments under a name that is different from your legal business name. This helps you create an identity for your business that presents it in a professional light to customers and vendors, while allowing customers to write you checks and make payments directly to the business name you have chosen. Follow our step by step guide or let us handle the paperwork on your behalf, ensuring your business is filed quickly and accurately.
File a Florida DBA for just $129 + state fees
or scroll down to our guideThe Sunshine State makes it a breeze to form an LLC in Florida. Metro areas, such as the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, have ranked high for new business created in these cities. As the fourth largest economy in the nation, small businesses in Florida make up 99.8% of all businesses in the state and employ more than 3.3 million employees. The benefits to starting a business in Florida keep adding up, since small businesses that form an LLC in Florida do not have to pay personal income or state tax. Qualifying startups may also apply for a wide range of small business grants and programs for local Florida businesses.
Plus, pleasant weather year-round attracts tourists from all over the country - who may be your new customers! If all of this sounds like a win-win to you, here's how to form an LLC in Florida.
MyCorporation® can help you file all of the necessary documents to file your
DBA in Florida.Our free guide provides you with all of the information you'll need to file your DBA in Florida. Bookmark this page as a reference so you can return easily as you complete each step of the process.
Use Our Free GuideOur filing experts can get you up and running quickly and accurately, completing the required filings on your behalf.
Are you looking for another entity type? We offer several other guides for the state of Florida.
For those unfamiliar with the acronym, DBA stands for "doing business as." Florida refers to a DBA as a Fictitious Name. No matter which type of business structure you have incorporated as, whether it's a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC, if you plan to operate your business under a name different than your real name or an existing corporate name, then you need to file a DBA.
What else can you do with a DBA? Here are a few additional benefits you'll receive by registering a fictitious name in Florida:
The first step is determining if a DBA is right for you. There are a few common situations where registering a DBA makes the most sense:
The next important step seems obvious: you'll need to decide on a name to register. Here are a few rules to keep in mind as you come up with a name in Florida.
There are a few approaches you can take once you have chosen a name that meets the guidelines listed above in order to determine if the name is available to register. One basic approach is to do a Google search for other Florida business with the same name. While it may not prove that the name you want to register is available, it is an easy way to weed out any names that are already taken. You can also check to see if the web domain for your business name is available, since it is likely you will need a website domain that matches your company name.
You may conduct a full name search on the Florida Division of Corporations website, however keep in mind that your search will only be limited to Florida businesses. Another, more reliable approach is to conduct a Florida DBA Name search. MyCorporation may complete a thorough business name search on your behalf, and report back the findings to help you avoid unnecessary rejections.
According to the State of Florida, there are several filing options available for obtaining a DBA. You may choose one of the three filing methods:
Remember, all checks must be made payable to the Florida Department of State
Now that you have determined the name is available for registration, and you've determined your business' classification, it's time to complete the filing with the forms provided by the state of Florida. It is important that you file your DBA in the Florida county of the principal place of business. Most Florida counties require the following information in their applications:
Once you have completed the Florida Application for Registration of a fictitious name ()PDF)(500 KB), you will submit it to the county registrar for approval either via mail or deliver in-person. The filing fee for registering a fictitious name is $50. A Certified Copy fee is $30, while a Certificate of Status is $10.
Ready to Get Started?
MyCorporation® takes the guess work out of starting your business. Answer a few simple questions, and our filing experts will take care of the rest.
File a DBAWe hope you find this detailed list of steps makes the process of registering a doing business as name (DBA) a bit more simplified for you. However, we understand that filing a DBA for your business can be confusing and time-consuming process. That's why MyCorporation offers DBA filing services for businesses all across the state of Florida.
Our experts will complete the forms for your county, check its registration status, and even publish the DBA notice where required. All you need do is sign and return a few documents in our prelabeled envelope. You'll receive the approval and publication certificate for your records without any heavy lifting.
We make filing a DBA easy.
Operate your business under your business name, open a bank account for your business, and build credibility without all of the hassle. MyCorporation will handle the paperwork for you, so you can focus on building your business.
Start My DBA FilingNo. A business license is required of all businesses, whereas a DBA is required only if the business is operating under a name different from the name of the owner.
In Florida, all businesses are required to file for a general business license (sometimes referred to as a business tax certificate). Business licenses are issued by cities and municipalities, and every city in Florida differs in their requirements. If you plan on operating your business in multiple cities, you will need to apply for a business license in each location. Some additional permits may be required in addition to a general business license, which may need to be filed with the county or the state. You can find out about the specific licenses applicable to your business by checking with the city offices where you will conduct business, or by using MyCorporation's business license compliance package. Our team of skilled professionals will identify the licenses required by your business and provide you with all the information you need to file.
A DBA does not grant exclusivity for the use of a business name. DBAs identify the business and claim the business's name, but they only claim the name itself. Once you file for a DBA, the name cannot be used by another business on the state level. However, if a business in a different state wanted to register the same DBA as your business, they could so long as no other business in their state had already claimed that name. It is also possible to trademark a DBA. This would offer nationwide protection against infringement.
In Florida, fictitious names are valid for 5 years, and will expire on December 31st of the final year.If you fail to file the renewal, your registration will expire. You can find more information about how to renew your Florida fictitious name Opens in a new tab on the Division of Corporations Website.
Filing a DBA in Florida will not impact your taxes, as it does not alter your tax status. Only the name you conduct business as will change. The structure of your business is what determines how you will be taxed (sole proprietor, corporation, LLC, etc.), so you will continue to pay taxes as usual after filing a DBA.
If you are not planning to continue using your DBA, it is advised that you consult with the appropriate state agencies to determine the next steps moving forward with your DBA.