How to Get an Oklahoma DBA Name

You may want to file for an Oklahoma DBA for branding purposes or to have a more “official” name for your general partnership or sole proprietorship. But how do you get that DBA? 

Oklahoma has a set process for you to follow when applying for this fictitious business name, which you’ll discover here alongside learning about how a DBA affects your business.

DBA in Oklahoma: Key Takeaways

• Business owners who want a DBA in Oklahoma must file with the Secretary of State.

• Your Oklahoma trade name doesn’t expire, meaning you don’t have to worry about renewing it every few years.

• Applying for a DBA doesn’t affect your business entity or your tax obligations in Oklahoma.

What Is a DBA?

As an entrepreneur, you set up your company with its official business name stated in your articles of incorporation, but you may not wish to operate under that name. That’s where an Oklahoma DBA comes in. It’s a fictitious business name under which you can operate if your official name doesn’t do the job.

DBA stands for “doing business as,” though some states refer to this name as an “assumed name” or a “trade name,” the latter being the term used in Oklahoma. The idea is that business owners can use DBAs to essentially create an alternative name for their companies, often for branding purposes.

It’s important to note that a DBA isn’t a business structure and won’t change how you organize your business or the taxes you pay. As such, it’s not the same as setting up your business to be a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or another business entity.

How to File a DBA in Oklahoma

DBA filing is fairly straightforward in Oklahoma. The process can be broken down into the following four steps.

Step 1 — Do a DBA Name Search

As was the case when you filed for your official business name, you must ensure that any trade name for which you apply is unique in Oklahoma. In other words, you can’t choose a “doing business as” name that conflicts with a name that another company in the state is already using.

Finally, it’s important to point out that finding an available name and even successfully applying for it doesn’t automatically grant you a trademark on that name. You must file for the trademark separately to benefit from its intellectual property protection.

Step 2 — File Your DBA with the Oklahoma Secretary of State

Some states require business owners to submit a fictitious business name statement, which is essentially a statement of their intent to complete a DBA filing, with their relevant county clerk’s office. Oklahoma isn’t one of those states.

Your next step is to file your trade name application. In Oklahoma, you file the forms directly with the Secretary of State, with the forms also essentially placing your Oklahoma DBA onto the public record.

You must complete the Trade Name Report form, which asks for your desired name and details about your small business.[1] Submit this DBA paperwork, along with a $25 filing fee, either electronically via the Oklahoma Business Services website or by mail to the following address:

Oklahoma Secretary of State

421 NW 13th St, Suite #210

Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Assuming your DBA filing is successful, you’ll receive permission to use your desired trade name for as long as you like. 

Sole Proprietor CPAs

Interestingly, Oklahoma has a slightly different process for registering a new DBA if you’re a CPA operating as a sole proprietor. In this case, you need to complete the Application to Use a Trade Name (D/B/A) form to complete your trade name registration.[2] Submit this form to the Oklahoma Accountancy Board at the following address:

Oklahoma Accountancy Board

201 NW 63rd Street, Suite 210

Oklahoma City, OK 73116

You only need to do this if you wish to use a different name from your official company name.

Step 3 — Follow Up

Many states require business owners to reapply to keep their trade names valid. That’s not the case in Oklahoma. Once you have your DBA, it’s yours to keep for as long as you want to have it. 

However, if you want to change your trade name at some point, use the Amended Trade Name Report. You can specify your current name and the amendments you wish to make and file it, with the $25 fee, to the same address used for your original Trade Name Report.[3]

Oklahoma DBA Name Restrictions

You encountered Oklahoma's business naming restrictions when you first formed your new business. Those same restrictions apply when choosing your DBA name.

Beyond the obvious one of only using a DBA Oklahoma doesn’t already have in its state records, your name must follow the below conventions:

• Use business entity identifiers, such as LLC, only if your company uses the appropriate business structure.

• Choose a DBA that does not mislead the public into thinking that you do something that you don’t

• Ensure your Oklahoma DBA doesn’t suggest that your company engages in any type of illegal activity

• Choose a name that doesn’t cause somebody to confuse your company with any government agencies

DBA Oklahoma Tax Considerations

Filing for a “doing business as” name does not impact your company’s official structure or tax obligations. For example, an LLC can file for a DBA without worrying about losing the protection the LLC structure offers for their personal assets — it all stays the same.

Furthermore, your DBA doesn’t affect your taxes on a federal level. Take your Employer Identification Number (EIN) as an example. You only need to file for an EIN with the IRS if you change the type of business entity you have. A DBA doesn’t change your entity, meaning you keep the same EIN.[4]

Why Should You Get a DBA?

Having a DBA isn’t a legal requirement in the state. But there are some compelling reasons why you should consider applying for one:

Branding

Sticking solely with your official business name may mean adding initials or words (such as limited liability company) to every mention of that name. Having a DBA gives you more control over your branding so you can market your business better.

Operations

Imagine you have a limited liability company selling products in different sectors and want to use different business names for each arm of the company. DBAs allow you to do that while maintaining your original LLC structure. Without them, you’d have to form a new LLC for every desired name.

Legitimacy

While you can operate a sole proprietorship under your own name, doing so could cause issues when attracting clients or trying to set up a business bank account. Your name doesn’t sound like an official business. Having a DBA lends you more authority, making it easy to complete other business tasks.

FAQs

What’s the difference between an LLC and a DBA?

An LLC is a business entity, meaning it informs how you structure your company and how you pay your taxes. A DBA is a fictitious name you apply to your existing company.

How much does getting a DBA cost?

State fees for a DBA in Oklahoma are $25. You also pay that fee if you wish to amend your existing trade name.

Do I need a DBA for my Oklahoma business?

You’re not legally obligated to apply for a DBA in Oklahoma, meaning you can use your official business name if you’d prefer not to have a fictitious name.

What’s the difference between a trade name, assumed name, and a DBA name?

The terms are used synonymously, meaning there’s rarely any difference between a DBA, trade, or assumed name. All are fictitious names for your business.

How long does a DBA last?

DBAs in Oklahoma last forever or until you file notice that you wish to amend or withdraw your DBA.

Is there a limit to the number of DBA names I can have?

In most cases, a business can apply for as many trade names as it wishes to have in Oklahoma. However, sole proprietor CPAs have a restriction of one fictitious name for their companies.

Is a DBA the same as a trademark?

No, a DBA doesn’t grant intellectual property protection for your name like a trademark. It simply gives you the exclusive rights to use that name for your business in Oklahoma.

Does a DBA affect my business’s tax status?

Having a DBA or trade name does not impact your company’s tax status, which is determined by the type of entity you’ve created.

Bibliography

1. Oklahoma Secretary of State. “Trade Name Report.” Accessed October 11, 2023.

2. Oklahoma Accountancy Board. “Application to Use a Trade Name (D/B/A).” Accessed October 11, 2023.

3. Oklahoma Secretary of State. “Amended Trade Name Report.” Accessed October 11, 2023.

4. Internal Revenue Service. “Do You need a New EIN?” Accessed October 11, 2023.