How to Get an Oregon DBA Name

Filing for DBA can come in handy in many different situations. Some business owners may decide that their organization’s legal name doesn’t fit their needs but don’t want to open a new business. This is when the DBA name can help. A DBA or “doing business as” refers to the assumed business name of a company.

This article will discuss the requirements for an Oregon DBA name and all its benefits.

DBA in Oregon: Key Takeaways

• A DBA helps you present a new brand to the public without creating a new business entity.

• Filing for a DBA includes submitting a business statement with the Oregon Secretary of State, a name availability search, and a follow-up process.

• Getting a trade name doesn’t change your business’s tax status and liability.

What Is a DBA?

Before filing for a DBA in Oregon, knowing what a DBA means for your business is essential. The “doing business as” name (DBA) is also known as a trade, fictitious, or assumed business name. This is an alias for your business’s legal name.

Usually, business owners and entrepreneurs get a DBA when they do not want to run their business under the registered legal name, or they feel like it does not describe their products and services well.

Sole proprietors may also find use for a DBA, considering the business’s legal name is a personal name.

Furthermore, a DBA is only a different name for the company. It’s not a separate business entity. When you get a DBA, your business structure, taxes, and regulations stay the same. However, unlike an LLC, the assumed name doesn’t protect personal assets.

How to File a DBA in Oregon

You must fulfill a few steps when filing for an Oregon assumed business name or DBA in Oregon. The filing process consists of doing a name search, registering with the Oregon Secretary of State, and doing a follow-up process.

Step 1 — Do a DBA Name Search

The first thing you need to do before a DBA filing and submitting the registration form is check for name availability. In Oregon, you can have a similar DBA as other businesses if the other company hasn’t trademarked the name. Additionally, one of the requirements for DBA registration is to have a unique name that avoids the implications of a connection with financial institutions and government agencies.

You can conduct a business name search with our free name search tool or the Oregon Secretary of State’s website to see if your desired name is available. 

Checking if the name is trademarked is another vital aspect you can search on the U.S Trademark database or the Oregon Corporation Division website. You can see a list of all active trademarks in the official Secretary of State Corporation Division record.

Step 2 — Filing for Your DBA

After choosing an available name and following name registration rules, you can move on to the next step: filing your DBA with the Oregon Secretary of State. This can be done online or in person by filling out the registration form.[1]

If you want to do it online, head to the Secretary of State website or submit an assumed business name registration form by mail. When submitting the new registration, you must provide the necessary information, such as:

• Company name and fictitious name

• Business owners’ address and name

• Type of business

• Counties where you want to register your DBA

You can send your DBA registration to the Oregon Secretary of State mailing address below:

• Secretary of State

• Corporation Division

• 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151

• Salem, OR 97310-1327

Step 3 — Paying Filing Fees and Follow Up

When you file for your DBA, you need to pay the state fees. They are different in each state. In Oregon, the filing fee is $50. The DBA expires after two years, so business owners must renew it for $50. The fees are payable by cash or credit card.

If you want to change or withdraw your assumed business name, it will cost the same.[2] You can find Name Cancellation and Assumed Business Name Amendment forms online and mailed to the same address mentioned above:

• Secretary of State

• Corporation Division

• 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151

• Salem, OR 97310-1327

Oregon DBA Name Restrictions

Most states have similar restrictions when it comes to a DBA name. As mentioned previously, a DBA is not a separate business entity, so it can’t contain abbreviations like Corp., Inc., or LLC in its name.[3]

Furthermore, some of the name restrictions in the state of Oregon include:

• Words associated with financial institutions, unless authorized by the Division of Finance, like bank, saving, trust, deposit, etc.

• Words associated with government agencies in the U.S.

Your DBA name isn’t the same as a trademark. You don’t have the exclusive rights to use it, unlike when you trademark a logo or a brand. 

DBA Oregon Tax Considerations

When you file for an assumed business name for your company in Oregon, you should know that your tax obligations and status don’t change. Since a DBA isn’t a separate business structure but only another name for your business, your tax status remains the same, and you don’t need a separate tax ID.

Furthermore, it’s important to highlight that, unlike an LLC, an Oregon DBA can’t protect your assets. The DBA name only refers to the name you will run your business under.

Why Should You Get a DBA?

Getting a DBA name or an assumed business name can benefit various businesses like corporations, limited liability companies, sole proprietors, and other business entities.

Here is why a DBA registration can be beneficial:

• Separating brands: A DBA allows you to use a fictitious business name for each brand and line of services or products your company offers. You can create separate brands and labels by submitting one registration form for each brand.

• Banking advantage: When registering a DBA name, you can open a separate business bank account. This allows you to have a better review of your finances.

• Promoting the business: In the case of a sole proprietorship or a corporation where the company’s legal name is the owner’s personal name, getting a DBA is highly recommended. When you have a trade name as a sole proprietor, the customers instantly know what you’re offering, which helps streamline business operations.

FAQs

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

An LLC is a separate legal entity with its own regulations and tax obligations. On the other hand, your Oregon DBA is only a fictitious name for your business and doesn’t influence how your company operates.

How much does getting a DBA cost?

The filing fee for a DBA varies from one state to another. Oregon business owners have to pay $50 to file for a DBA.

Do I need a DBA for my Oregon business?

You’re not required to have a DBA for your business by Oregon law. However, suppose you want your corporation, LLC or any other business structure to operate under a different name than the one you registered initially. In that case, you must file a DBA with the Secretary of State.

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

A trade name, an assumed name, and a DBA all refer to the fictitious name of your business. It’s the “doing business as” name under which your company operates.

How long does a DBA last?

The length of a DBA depends on the state where you file for it. In Oregon, you don’t have a DBA for life. The registration expires after two years, and then you can renew it.

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

In Oregon, there is no limit to the number of DBA names a single business can register. However, you need to file a different registration form for each one.

Is a DBA the same as a trademark?

Trademarking your business only allows your company to use the name legally. On the other hand, a DBA is only another name for the business, with no legal rights to it.

Does a DBA affect my business’s tax status?

A DBA doesn’t affect the tax status of your business, as it’s not a separate business entity, only an assumed business name.

Bibliography

1. Oregon Secretary of State. “Assumed Business Name Registration.” Accessed September 5, 2023.

2. Oregon Secretary of State. “Assumed Business Name (DBA) Registration Forms.” Accessed September 5, 2023.