Loading...
Our three-step process will set up your DBA Swyftly TM
We have taken the complexity out of forming your DBA. Our simple online DBA application can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.
After a comprehensive business name search, we will draft and file your DBA online application directly with the Secretary of State or city county.
Once your DBA has been approved by the state or county, we will mail your completed DBA package directly to you.
Learn why business owners across the country trust Swyft Filings to complete their DBA form.
Our Business Specialists will complete your DBA filing online the correct way, saving you time and money by avoiding costly errors. Let us handle your business filings while you focus on growing your business.
Each one of our customers is assigned a personal Business Specialist. Have a question? Just call your personal Business Specialist directly. No need to wait in a pool of phone calls.
When you place your order through Swyft Filings, we can immediately start the DBA application process. Our processing times are some of the fastest in the industry.
Compare the important differences of each business structure to decide which one is right for your company.
If you're operating a business as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, a DBA is critical to your ability to build a brand and your credibility. You can choose the name that fits your business perfectly without worrying about other factors, and can even run separate businesses under one proprietorship or partnership.
LLCs provide personal asset protection, which shields you from being personally liable for business debts.
C Corps provide personal asset protection, which shields you from being personally liable for business debts.
S Corps provide personal asset protection, which shields you from being personally liable for business debts.
Owners have no personal asset protection, which makes them personally liable for business debts.
LLCs must be member or manager managed according to the terms of the operating agreement. Member managed means the owners of the company manage the company. Manager-managed means the members (or owners) elect one or more managers to manage the company.
C Corps are required to have shareholder elected directors who oversee and elect officers to run the day-to-day operations of the company. The business owner(s) can be the shareholder(s), the director(s) and officer(s).
S Corps are required to have shareholder elected directors who oversee and elect officers to run the day-to-day operations of the company. The business owner(s) can be the shareholder(s), the director(s) and officer(s).
The DBA owner may manage the business without restriction. Nonprofits are managed by their board of directors following the regulations set forth in their Bylaws.
Changes in ownership of an LLC are dependent on the terms of the operating agreement.
Ownership changes in a C Corp are easily made through the sell of stock to new or existing shareholders.
Ownership changes in an S Corp are easily made through the sell of stock to new or existing shareholders.
DBAs cannot make ownership changes.
The life of the LLC is dependent of the terms of the operating agreement. Its existence may be short term or perpetual that survive the death or transfer of the membership interests of the original founders.
C Corps are separate entities that survive the death or transfer of stock of the owners and/or major shareholders.
S Corps are separate entities that survive the death or transfer of stock of the owners and/or major shareholders.
DBAs end upon closure of the company or the death of the owner. Nonprofits are entities that survive any change in their board of directors.
Depending on the state of incorporation, an LLC may be required to file an annual report and/or pay franchise fees.
After formation, C Corps have many ongoing formalities such as writing bylaws, selecting directors, holding initial and annual shareholder meetings, and issuing stock.
After formation, S Corps have many ongoing formalities such as writing bylaws, selecting directors, holding initial and annual shareholder meetings, and issuing stock.
There are no ongoing corporate formalities.
LLCs are not allowed to sell stock but may be able to raise capital via bank loans, from its members and various other avenues. Any equity to sales to third parties needs to be done in compliance with SEC regulations.
C Corps may issue many types of stocks, which may be sold to an unlimited number of shareholders. Any equity sales to third parties needs to be done in compliance with SEC regulations.
S Corps may issue one type of stock, which may be sold to a maximum of 100 shareholders. Any equity sales to third parties needs to be done in compliance with SEC regulations.
DBAs are not allowed to sell stock but may be able to obtain bank loans.
LLCs are not taxed at the corporate level. Instead, all profit and losses are reported with the personal income taxes of each member.
The income of the C Corp is taxed at the corporate level and then again at the shareholder level.
S Corps are not taxed at the corporate level. Instead, all profit and losses are reported with the personal income taxes of each shareholder (owner).
DBAs are not taxed at the company level. All profit and losses are reported on the personal income tax return of the owner.
LLCs are not taxed at the corporate level.
The income of the C Corp is taxed at the corporate level and then again at the shareholder level.
S Corps are not taxed at the corporate level.
DBAs are not taxed at the corporate level.
LLCs are required to pay formation fees to the state. Fees will vary based on the state of incorporation.
C Corps are required to pay formation fees to the state. Fees will vary based on the state of incorporation.
S Corps are required to pay formation fees to the state. Fees will vary based on the state of incorporation.
There are required filing fees for DBAs. Fees will vary based on the county and state in which the DBA is filed.
Depending on the state of incorporation, reports and fees may be required.
An annual report and franchise fees are generally due each year along with other reports and fees, which varies depending on the state of incorporation.
An annual report and franchise fees are generally due each year along with other reports and fees, which varies depending on the state of incorporation.
There are no ongoing compliance fees.
A well-chosen name can enhance the credibility of a business, especially for sole proprietors and general partnerships.
Many banks require sole proprietorships and general partnerships to take on a DBA before opening an account.
There are numerous ways that a DBA can assist a company's branding efforts such as expanding and growing your business.
A DBA allows companies to effectively run multiple branding campaigns, or even separate businesses.
File for a DBA and launch your business today starting at $99 + state fees. See detailed pricing
There are numerous reasons to file for a DBA. The most common are:
Increased credibility - A well-chosen name can enhance the credibility of a business, especially for sole proprietors and general partnerships.
The ability to open financial accounts - Many banks require sole proprietorships and general partnerships to take on a DBA before opening an account.
Branding purposes - There are numerous ways that a DBA can assist a company's branding efforts. Some of the most common are to integrate a company's name with their online properties (domain names, social media profiles, etc.), or to position themselves differently to multiple demographics.
Multiple Names – A DBA allows companies to effectively run multiple branding campaigns, or even separate businesses, under one legal entity. As long as the chosen names are not misleading to consumers, and reflect the company's products or services, there is no limit to the number of DBAs that a business can have.
A DBA is mandatory any time that an organization wishes to transact business under a name other than their incorporated name.
While it isn't mandatory for sole proprietorships and general partnerships to acquire DBAs, there are some severe limitations placed on them if they do not have one. Without a DBA, these types of business cannot typically open a bank account with most institutions, and must represent themselves strictly as the owner's personal name(s).
Swyft Filings DBA service takes approximately 2 weeks to complete from start to finish.
Yes. While Swyft Filings cannot control how long it takes for your local jurisdiction to handle your DBA application, we do offer a DBA filing option that relies on the expedited shipping of documents in order to ensure that the process is a fast as possible. If you elect to choose our expedited filing option, the whole process will typically take 1 week to complete from start to finish.
Some states require that any business that acquires a DBA run a public notice in a local newspaper. Depending on where you are located, the exact details will vary. Swyft Filings DBA service DOES NOT include the fulfillment of any publications that your local jurisdiction requires.
A Doing Business As (commonly referred to as a DBA, assumed name, fictitious business name, or trade name) provides businesses a legally recognized way to conduct themselves under a name other than the incorporated name.
There are no restrictions on who can file for a DBA. Informal business structures such as sole proprietorships and general partnerships will benefit greatly by obtaining a DBA. Without a DBA, informal business structures must conduct business under the personal name of their owners. Also, many banks require a business to have a DBA to open an account.
Filing for a DBA allows formal business entities such as LLCs and corporations to represent themselves with multiple names. This is beneficial if the company is offering unrelated products and/or reaching out to different demographic groups.
You will need to file your DBA at either the state, county or city level depending on the location of your business. It should also be noted that you might need to obtain a DBA to operate locally if your business was established in a foreign state.
The first step in filing for a DBA is to do a preliminary check for name availability in the jurisdiction in which you will be filing. If your desired name is available, you will then fill out the required paperwork with the appropriate agency and pay any related fees. Some jurisdictions will require that you publish a notice (or notices) of your company’s new alias in the local newspaper(s). Swyft Filings DBA filing service can complete this process for you as efficiently and as quickly as possible.
Some states require that any business that acquires a DBA run a public notice in a local newspaper. Depending on where you are located, the exact details will vary. Swyft Filings DBA service DOES NOT include the fulfillment of any publications that your local jurisdiction requires.
Yes, most DBA expire after 10 years of existence. Typically you will receive an official notice before the expiration date and be given the option to renew.
Yes, when you file for a DBA this prevents other organizations from using the business name in your local area. This is ideal for businesses that have long term branding or marketing plans. It is recommended that you explore registering your business name as a trademark if you would like to protect a name from being used by other organizations outside of your area.
A business may have many DBAs as long as each name does not violate any restrictions and is properly obtained.
(877) 777-0450
Live chat