How To Get a DBA in Arkansas

Arkansas DBA Requirements

Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Arkansas.

What Is a DBA in Arkansas?

A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Arkansas, the official term is "fictitious name."

Any type of business can register a fictitious name in Arkansas. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. The filing path depends on your business structure.

A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your ownership structure. It is only a name your business is authorized to operate under.

What Are The Benefits of Registering an Arkansas DBA

How To Register a DBA in Arkansas: Step-by-Step

How you register a fictitious name in Arkansas depends on your business type. Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships file an Application for Fictitious Name with the Arkansas Secretary of State, and a domestic entity then files the returned copy with the county clerk where its registered office is located (unless that office is in Pulaski County). Sole proprietors and general partnerships file a fictitious name certificate with the county clerk in each county where they do business. [1]

Step 1: Search Your Arkansas Fictitious Name

For corporations and LLCs, the Secretary of State will not accept a fictitious name filing unless the name is distinguishable on its records from existing business names. Filing a fictitious name does not give you an exclusive right to it, so checking first protects your brand. [2]

You can search existing business names for free through the Arkansas Secretary of State business search. Sole proprietors should also check the records of the county clerk where they plan to file, because those filings are kept at the county level. [4]

Arkansas DBA Name Rules and Restrictions

Arkansas fictitious name rules are simple, but a few hard limits apply.

Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Filing a fictitious name in Arkansas gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [5]

Step 2: File Your Application for Fictitious Name

Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships file Form DN-18, the Application for Fictitious Name, with the Arkansas Secretary of State. A domestic entity then files the file-marked copy returned by the state with the county clerk where its registered office is located, unless that office is in Pulaski County. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file an acknowledged certificate with the county clerk instead. [1]

Information you will need:

• The fictitious name your business will operate under
• A brief statement of the character of the business
• The legal entity name and its date of qualification in Arkansas
• Whether the entity is domestic or foreign (and the state of formation)
• The street address of the registered office in Arkansas
• The county where the registered office is located
• The signature of an authorized officer or partner

Fee breakdown:

How to submit:

Online: Arkansas Secretary of State online filing system, payable by credit card [8]

By mail: Business and Commercial Services, Arkansas Secretary of State, 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201 [6]

County filings: sole proprietors and general partnerships contact the county clerk in each county where they conduct business [3]

Filing fees are non-refundable. A rejected or incomplete application must be corrected and re-filed.

Step 3: Submit and Confirm

The Secretary of State reviews the application and, for online filings, processes it quickly. The state retains one counterpart and returns the file-marked copy to a domestic entity, which then files that copy with its county clerk unless the registered office is in Pulaski County. [2]

Keep the file-marked certificate. Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for it before they let you operate or accept funds under the fictitious name.

An Arkansas fictitious name does not expire and is not renewed. If you stop using the name or dissolve the entity, you must file a cancellation with the Secretary of State and the county clerk. [2]

DBA vs. LLC in Arkansas: What Is the Difference?

A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners, and getting it wrong can be costly.

A DBA is only a name. It does not create a legal entity. It does not protect your personal assets. If someone sues your business, your personal finances are exposed.

Forming an LLC means you are creating a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business debts and lawsuits.

If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, a fictitious name is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection, you need an LLC or a corporation.

Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA to run a brand under a name different from the LLC legal name.

Common Arkansas DBA Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

Most Arkansas fictitious name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.

Filing With The Wrong Office (State vs County):

Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships file the Application for Fictitious Name with the Secretary of State, and a domestic entity also files a copy with its county clerk. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file only with the county clerk. Filing in the wrong place wastes time and money. [1]

Forgetting The County Copy:

A domestic corporation or LLC must file the file-marked copy returned by the Secretary of State with its county clerk, unless the registered office is in Pulaski County. Skipping that step leaves the filing incomplete. [2]

Using The Wrong Entity Suffix:

Only an LLC may use "LLC," and only a corporation may use "Inc." or "Corporation." A sole proprietor cannot include those designators in a fictitious name. [7]

Assuming The State Protects Your Name:

Registering a fictitious name gives no exclusive right to it, and the same name may be used by others. Do your own search before you commit to a brand. [2]

Assuming A DBA Protects Your Personal Assets:

A fictitious name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not shield your personal finances. If you want protection, form an LLC.

Skipping A Federal Trademark Check:

State approval is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [5]

Bibliography

[1] Arkansas Secretary of State. Form DN-18, Application for Fictitious Name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[2] Arkansas Legislature. Arkansas Code 4-27-404, Use of Fictitious Names. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[3] Arkansas Legislature. Arkansas Code 4-70-203, Doing Business Under Assumed Name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[4] Arkansas Secretary of State. Business Entity Search. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[5] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[6] Arkansas Secretary of State. Business and Commercial Services Forms and Fees. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[7] Arkansas Legislature. Arkansas Code 4-32-103, Limited Liability Company Name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

[8] Arkansas Secretary of State. Online Filing System. Accessed on June 4, 2026.

Arkansas Official Resources

• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. State tax registration and permit information for Arkansas businesses.
• U.S. Small Business Administration, Arkansas District Office. SBA Arkansas District Office support for state small businesses.