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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Louisiana.
| Official Term | Trade Name (Application to Register Trade Name) [2] |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division, filed online through geauxBIZ [1] |
| Form | Application to Register Trade Name, Trademark or Service Mark (geauxBIZ online filing) [2] |
| State Fee | $75 per trade name registration [2] |
| Processing Time | Standard processing varies; 24-hour and 2-to-4-hour expedited options are available for an added fee [6] |
| Renewal Required | Yes. A trade name registration is effective for 10 years and may be renewed for successive 10-year terms [4] |
| Cancellation | File a cancellation through geauxBIZ or the Commercial Division [6] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Louisiana, the official term is "trade name," and the filing is an application to register a trade name.
Any type of business can register a trade name in Louisiana. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. Louisiana registers trade names at the state level with the Secretary of State, not at the parish level.
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.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Entity Branding | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors operate under their personal names by default. A registered trade name lets you do business under a professional brand instead. | Louisiana banks generally require a registered trade name before opening a business account in a name other than your legal name. | One entity can run several brands or product lines under separate trade names without forming a new company for each. | A trade name keeps your personal identity off public branding and signals to customers that you are an established business. |
Louisiana routes all trade name registrations through the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division. You file online through geauxBIZ, the state business portal. Unlike many states, Louisiana does not register trade names at the parish level for this purpose. [1]
The Secretary of State will not register a trade name that is not distinguishable from a name already on the record for another business. Running a search first tells you whether your preferred name is available before you pay the filing fee. [2]
You can search existing business names and trade names for free through the Louisiana Secretary of State Commercial Database, and geauxBIZ will also check name availability as part of the filing process. A clear search protects your brand and reduces the risk of a rejected filing. [3]
Louisiana trade name rules are straightforward, but a few hard limits apply.
| Your trade name must be distinguishable | Match designators to your real structure | Restricted words need approval |
|---|---|---|
| The Secretary of State will not register a trade name that is not distinguishable from a name already in use by another business on file. [2] | A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name. A name may not falsely suggest the business is a corporation or an entity that it is not. | Words that imply a government agency or a charitable or nonprofit purpose may be restricted or require additional review before they are registered. [4] |
Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Registering a trade name in Louisiana gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [5]
You register a trade name by filing the Application to Register Trade Name, Trademark, or Service Mark with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The fastest way to file is online through geauxBIZ, the state business portal. [2]
| Situation | State Fee |
|---|---|
| Register a trade name with the Secretary of State | $75 per trade name [2] |
| Reserve a name before registering (120-day reservation) | $25 [6] |
| Add expedited processing (24-hour or 2 to 4-hour service) | $30 or $50, in addition to the filing fee [6] |
Filing fees are non-refundable, so confirm your information is accurate before you submit. An incomplete or rejected application must be corrected and re-filed.
After you submit, the Commercial Division reviews the application and records the trade name. Online filings through geauxBIZ are processed faster than mailed filings, and paid expedited service can further shorten the turnaround. [6]
Keep your confirmation and the trade registration number. Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for proof of your registered trade name before they let you operate or accept funds under it.
A Louisiana trade name registration is not permanent. It is effective for 10 years and must be renewed to keep it active. You may renew for successive 10 year terms by filing a renewal before the registration expires. [4]
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 trade 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's legal name.
| Feature | DBA (Trade Name) | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a legal entity | No | Yes |
| Personal asset protection | No | Yes |
| Changes the tax treatment | No | Can elect a different tax status |
| Required to operate under a different name | Yes, if the name differs from your legal name | No, the LLC name is its legal name |
| Cost to register | $75 state fee + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most Louisiana trade name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
Checking Google or a domain registrar is not the official search. Use the Secretary of State Commercial Database so you know your name is distinguishable before you file. [3]
A sole proprietor cannot include "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name unless the business is actually organized that way. The name cannot falsely suggest you are an entity you are not.
Louisiana registers trade names at the state level with the Secretary of State through geauxBIZ. Do not assume that you file a trade name with your parish clerk of court, the way some other states use counties. [1]
A Louisiana trade name registration is effective for 10 years and then must be renewed. Calendar the renewal so your filing does not lapse. [4]
A trade 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.
State registration is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [5]
[1] Louisiana Secretary of State. File Business Documents, Commercial Division. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[2] Louisiana Secretary of State. Application to Register Trade Name, Trademark or Service Mark (Form SS309). Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[3] Louisiana Secretary of State. Commercial Database Business Name Search. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[4] Louisiana State Legislature. Revised Statutes RS 51:216, Duration and Renewal of Registration. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[5] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[6] Louisiana Secretary of State. Commercial Division Fee Schedule. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[7] Louisiana Secretary of State. geauxBIZ Business Portal. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[8] Louisiana Secretary of State. File Business Documents, Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed on June 4, 2026.