To get a DBA in Iowa, you must first check if any other business is already using the name before filing. You can then submit the Iowa business name reservation form after it has been confirmed that no other company is already using the chosen name.
Fees and Filings
- Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships will pay $7 to the County Recorder for registering a Trade Name.
- Corporations and LLCs will pay $5 to the Secretary of State.
A DBA is required whenever a business is operating under a name other than its legal name.
To get a unique DBA name, search both the Iowa state business name database and local county records. After choosing a DBA name, you must fill out the Trade Name Registration form.
Filing a DBA name is quick and easy. First, ensure your desired business name is not already taken by running a business entity search on the Iowa Secretary of State website. You’ll then need to fill out the Fictitious Name Resolution, including information about your company.
A DBA allows unincorporated businesses to use a business name without the owners’ names. DBAs can also be used by an LLC or Corporation to operate different lines of business under different names. However, a DBA doesn’t provide the legal protections of formal business structures like an LLC or Corporation.
You can file for a Fictitious Name to operate your business under a different name than its legal name. File with the Iowa Secretary of State (SOS) online. The filing fee is $5.
Your DBA name registration can take up to three weeks to process in Iowa. You can change your DBA name after registration in Iowa.
Cost and Processing Time
How much does it cost to file for a DBA in Iowa?
- For Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships: $7 to the County Recorder.
- For Corporations and LLCs: $5 to the Secretary of State.
Your DBA registration takes up to three weeks in Iowa. You can change your registered DBA name.