How To Register A Dba In Alabama

How to Get a DBA in Alabama - Three Easy Steps

Notation: A DBA doesn't offering any protection for your personal assets in the consequence that your business is sued. For this reason we strongly recommend that a DBA should simply exist used by a formal business structure such as an LLC or corporation for the purpose of changing or adding a new brand to their business.

If you are an informal concern structure (sole proprietorship or partnership) nosotros strongly recommend yous course an LLC. An LLC is ordinarily the most suitable selection for most pocket-sized businesses. The name of the LLC can besides act equally your brand proper name, hence, you volition not need a DBA.

Step ane: Offset With an Alabama Trade Name Search

If you haven't already, caput on over to the Alabama Secretary of State'southward website to consummate an Alabama merchandise name search. You volition need to make sure your Alabama trade proper noun isn't taken by another registered business organisation. Your proper noun can be similar to other business concern names, but information technology'south withal a good practice to create a unique proper noun.

TIP: Our business organisation name generator tool is a neat resources for entrepreneurs who are nonetheless working to create the perfect business name or website address. You can also use our complimentary logo generator tool to make a logo yourself! No pattern feel necessary!

Next, a quick search on the U.S. Trademark Electronic Search System will tell you whether someone else has already trademarked your name.

Now would be the perfect fourth dimension to brand sure in that location's a web domain available for your DBA as well.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by GoDaddy.com

After registering a domain name for your DBA, consider using a business concern phone service to improve customer satisfaction and further establish brownie. Our pinnacle pick is Nextiva considering of its affordable pricing and useful features. Offset calling with Nextiva.

Footstep 2: Begin Operating Under Your Alabama DBA

Alabama requires that y'all accept operated nether your trade name before you can annals it. And so, if you'd like to register and protect a trade proper noun in Alabama, you need to offset using information technology right away.

Alabama will require three "specimens" of your trade name being used. Some examples of acceptable specimens include:

Business Cards
Brochures
Flyers
Labels
Decals

Specimens must exist unaltered and legible. The trade name application volition inquire where and when yous used the trade proper noun for the first fourth dimension in any state and in Alabama specifically, so keep runway!

Step 3: Register Your Alabama DBA With the Land

In Alabama, you register your trade name with the Secretary of Country. You tin file online on the Alabama Secretary of State's website or you tin can consummate the Application to Register or Renew a Trade Name form.

The awarding will ask for your desired trade name and information about your business, such as:

Section half-dozen: How the trade name will be used
Section 8: Mark blazon (e.k. trademark, service mark, trade name)
Department 11a: Date when and state where the name was first used
Section 11b: Date when the proper name was start used in Alabama
Section 13: Examples of the proper noun being used in your concern

A DBA does not offer any protection for your personal assets in the event that your business is sued. For more than information on setting upwardly a limited liability company (LLC), visit our How to Grade an LLC folio and select your state.

Submit Your Application

In-Person Delivery:
Land of Alabama
Function of the Secretary of Country
Trademarks Division
11 South Marriage St., Suite 224
Montgomery, AL 36130

Post:
State of Alabama
Office of the Secretarial assistant of State
Trademarks Division
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616

Fees:
$30 Filing Fee
Alabama also provides a credit card authorization form.

Manage Your Alabama DBA

DBA Questions

Phone call the Alabama Secretary of State's trademarks segmentation: (334) 242-5325

Renew Your DBA with the Land

Your Alabama DBA should be renewed every v years. Yous tin renew online or past completing and mailing the merchandise name registration or renewal form. Mail service the completed form and the $30 fee to:

State of Alabama
Office of the Secretary of State
Trademarks Partitioning
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616

Change Your DBA

Call the Alabama Secretary of Country's trademarks division: (334) 242-5325

Withdraw Your DBA

Call the Alabama Secretary of State's trademarks partitioning: (334) 242-5325

If you lot desire to use a professional service to become a DBA for your business we recommend:

Swyft Filings ($99 + state fee)

Alabama DBA FAQ

Can I file a merchandise name online in Alabama?

Yes, you can file your DBA online on the Alabama Secretarial assistant of Country's website.

How often should I renew my Alabama trade name?

Your Alabama DBA should exist renewed every 5 years. You tin renew online or by completing and mailing the renewal form.

How tin I insure my Alabama DBA?

DBAs don't require insurance considering DBAs aren't a business entity. Notwithstanding, the business organization entity that the DBA is nether volition need protection from losses that can happen naturally in the course of business, such equally property impairment or lawsuits.

We recommend Commercial Insurance because they provide coverage for a large variety of businesses. Get a free quote from Commercial Insurance or telephone call 855-602-1925 to larn more.

When is a trade proper name required in Alabama?

A merchandise name is not required in Alabama. However, yous may want to register one to protect the name of your business organization.

How do I transfer my trade name in Alabama?

To transfer ownership of your trade proper noun in Alabama, you must fill out and submit this form and have it notarized. Mail service the completed, notarized form and the $xxx filing fee to the address below:

State of Alabama
Role of the Secretary of State
Trademarks Division
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616

Is my Alabama trade name protected from being used in other places?

There are some country-level laws that prevent trade names that are too similar to existing ones from existence used, but your proper name is non protected outside of Alabama. It is possible to create a federal trademark for a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.

How many DBAs can I accept?

Yous can have as many DBAs as you can beget to create and are able to continue track of. Notwithstanding, more isn't necessarily ameliorate. Each i will come with additional incremental expense and paperwork, so you will want to make certain you have a good reason for each 1 you have.

Can a DBA become an EIN or Tax ID?

DBAs aren't required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren't a concern entity. The business entity that the DBA is nether would have an EIN if an EIN is required.

To learn more about EINs and when yous would need one for your business, read What is an EIN from our friends at TRUiC.

Can a DBA become an LLC?

Your DBA is simply a name. A DBA is frequently confused with a sole proprietorship. If you mean "tin can my sole proprietorship become an LLC?" and so the reply is "Yes. Absolutely."

To larn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC land guides.

Can a DBA have "Inc." in the name?

A DBA can just have "Inc." in the name if the concern entity the DBA is fastened to is a corporation.

How do I gear up a DBA for a rental property?

It'due south always all-time to consult an attorney. Ordinarily, the all-time option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the upshot of an issue with the rental property. Holding the rental property in your proper noun and with a DBA will non afford you any protection.