Do Iowa businesses need to register a DBA name?
Iowa requires all businesses operating under a name different than their legal name to register a "doing business as" (DBA). Sole proprietorships and partnerships must file a DBA with their county recorder. Corporations and LLCs must file with the Secretary of State.
Registering a DBA in Iowa
Registering a DBA benefits businesses in several ways:
- Allows sole proprietors and partnerships to open business bank accounts
- Establishes branding
- Assesses new products
- Enables corporations and LLCs to operate franchises or additional business lines under alternate names
How much does it cost to register a DBA in Iowa?
The DBA registration process in Iowa has three main steps:
- Check name availability on the Secretary of State website
- File paperwork and pay fees to the appropriate office (range: $5-7)
- Renewal occurs every five years
Out-of-state businesses must also register their DBA if conducting business in Iowa, but registrations don’t transfer to other states. Each state has separate rules for DBA registration.