Overview of Setting Up a DBA in Arizona
A Doing Business As (DBA) trade name allows businesses in Arizona to operate under a different name than their legal name. This is beneficial for sole proprietors and partnerships who want their business name to not include the owners’ names.
To register a trade name in Arizona, you file an online Trade Name Application with the Secretary of State and pay a $10 registration fee. Registration is good for 5 years. The filing process typically takes 2-3 weeks, or you can pay $25 extra for expedited 24-48 hour processing. An LLC can register as many DBA names as needed to operate their business.
The first step is to check the Secretary of State database to make sure the name you want is available. Arizona DBAs can’t contain legal entity designations like "LLC" or "Corp". It’s recommended you also check domain name availability before filing to get exclusive rights to that business name.
While a DBA gives you a separate business name, it does not provide liability protection like forming an LLC or corporation would. However, both sole proprietors and legal entities can file for a DBA. Your personal assets will not be shielded from liability with just a DBA.
Cost of Registering a DBA in Arizona
How much does a DBA cost in Arizona? The filing fee for a DBA in Arizona is $10 for normal processing, which takes 2-3 weeks. Expedited 24-48 hour processing is available for an additional $25 fee. Trade name registration lasts 5 years and is renewable.
Process of Registering a DBA in Arizona
How do I set up a DBA in Arizona? A Doing Business As (DBA) allows sole proprietors and partnerships in Arizona to operate under a different name. This gives business names more flexibility without owners’ names.
To register a DBA in Arizona, file an online Trade Name Application with the Secretary of State. Registration is $10 for 5 years. Processing takes 2-3 weeks. Expedited processing is available for an additional $25 fee. An LLC can register multiple DBA names.
First, check the Secretary of State database for name availability. Arizona DBAs can’t have legal entity words like "LLC." Before filing, check domain availability. A DBA provides a separate name but not liability protection. Both individuals and companies can file for one. A DBA does not shield assets.