How to Get a Utah DBA Name

Operating under a different name than your official one can significantly help companies in Utah. This arrangement is known as “doing business as” (DBA) name. It lets businesses of all types explore various opportunities, from solo proprietors to LLCs and corporations. In other words, you don’t need to limit yourself to just one business name. Instead, adopt an assumed or fictitious name and open your operations to wider audiences.

DBA in Utah: Key Takeaways

• A DBA is not a legal entity but an alias for your existing business structure.

• The filing fee for a DBA in Utah is $22, and it expires after three years.

• Utah has specific restrictions on DBA names, including avoiding terms related to banking and government agencies.

What Is a DBA?

When starting a business, you should register it with a unique brand name different from your personal or legal business name. If you’re a sole proprietor, the legal name of your business will use your real name, and that’s not ideal for commercial purposes.

This name is called “doing business as” (DBA), and it’s like giving yourself a nickname for your company. A DBA is an alias that can project the image or product you want to be recognized. For example, if Laura Jackson intends to open a hair salon named “Laura’s Locks,” she would file a DBA for that name while her legal business name remains Laura Jackson.

In some states, DBAs are also known as assumed names, fictitious names, and trade names, but they all essentially mean the same thing.[1]

When registering a DBA name, you’re branding your business, but this won’t establish legal protection for your personal assets in case of legal disputes. You must form an official business entity to gain those protections. No matter what name you choose for your company, make sure it reflects your values and creates a memorable brand.

How to File a DBA in Utah

Before applying for a DBA, know that filing a DBA in Utah involves taking specific steps that may seem complex but will make sense as you work through them. Most notably, you must search for and register your chosen business name with an affidavit from the Secretary of State. It may sound complicated, but it can be completed without issue if you give this task your undivided attention or entrust a filing service to help you through it.

Step 1 — Do a DBA Name Search

Before you select a new DBA name in Utah, make sure that it meets the state’s business name registration requirements and that it isn’t already in use. The state of Utah expects all business DBAs within the state to be unique.

To check if the name you like is available, head to our free name search tool or the Utah Business Search website to search for the intended name.

It’s also wise to consider if the name is available as a web domain (URL) if you’d like to get some online recognition. While you may not be ready to launch a website with it yet, it’s worth pre-empting someone else from taking control of your desired URL.

Remember that registering a DBA is different from trademarking your business name. Even though all assumed names must be unique within Utah, another company might have the same name as yours in another state.[2]

Step 2 — File a Fictitious Business Statement

When starting a business, you may choose not to use your own name. This is an assumed name or a fictitious name, although Utah usually uses the term “assumed name.” A fictitious name statement is a document one files with the government body in their area to link the business owner to the assumed name.

It’s essential to do this so that consumers can easily find out who is behind the business if they need information or have any problems. Filing this statement also protects customers and the business itself from potential lawsuits.

Step 3 — File Your DBA With the County Clerk’s Office

In most states, if you are a small business, general partnership, or sole proprietorship, you file for a DBA with the county clerk’s office; Utah is one of the exceptions. In this state, all business types file for a DBA with the Utah Secretary of State.

You can go about your DBA filing (“doing business as”) in two ways: online via the state of Utah’s website or through a paper application.

With the application, you’ll need to provide details about your business, such as its purpose, the contact information for yourself and the registered agent, the entity number, and other contact information (if applicable). Once you collect and fill out all the information, submit it online or by mail. The filing fee for a Utah DBA is $22, and there are no expedited services.

Step 4 — Publish Your DBA Name

Publishing the DBA in your local newspaper might be beneficial, but it’s not mandatory in Utah. Many papers are familiar with handling these types of ads and often have designated spaces for them.

To put an ad up, you should provide your official business name, the DBA name you plan to use, and contact information. Costs depend on how many people subscribe to that newspaper and your county. Once you’ve agreed on the terms, scan through all the details in the ad so you can make sure they’re all correct.

Step 5 — Follow Up

You need to renew your assumed name every three years — something you don’t want to forget. Lapsing on renewals could result in you losing your DBA name and complicate business operations when the renewal deadline passes.

To start the renewal process:

1. Submit the forms to the Secretary of State along with a $27 fee.

2. Make sure you set a reminder so you don’t miss out.

3. Reach out to your local authorities if you’re ever unsure about pieces of the process.

Utah DBA Name Restrictions

When setting up a DBA for your business, be careful with the words you use when choosing a name. Words like “LLC,” “Inc.,” or any other legal suffix might sound nice, but you cannot use them unless they accurately reflect your type of business.

Similarly, avoid words that allude to banking, such as “bank” or “trust.” As a rule of thumb, try to stay away from anything that can make your business look like an agency of the state or political subdivision.[3]

Lastly, remember that having a DBA does not guarantee trademark protection and will not provide the same safety as if you were to structure your business as an LLC.

DBA Utah Tax Considerations

If you’re a business owner in Utah, registering a DBA means you can use a different name for your business, but it won’t affect its legal status. You don’t need to get a separate Employer Identification Number (EIN) either since DBAs aren’t considered separate legal entities. As for the IRS, they don’t require businesses to have different tax ID numbers.

Why Should You Get a DBA?

If you don’t want to form a separate LLC or corporation, getting a DBA name for your sole proprietorship is easy and inexpensive. That way, you can create a business identity without extra hassle.

A DBA lets you run multiple businesses under the same entity if you’re an LLC or corporation. 

Many entrepreneurs choose to keep their personal name as their business name. Others prefer to draw a line between themselves and the business by filing under a different name. That way, they won’t have to put their personal information on public record whenever their business is mentioned.

Regarding selling online, multiple DBAs let you target different markets at once without overwhelming customers with too many products or services in one place.

A DBA is also beneficial when you want a new business bank account or credit card since many banks will ask you to register a trade name before opening another account.

FAQs

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

An LLC is a legal business structure that gives business owners personal liability protection. A DBA is not a legal entity but an alias for an existing business, LLC, or sole proprietorship. An LLC can have its own tax ID, bank accounts, and liabilities separate from the owners, while a DBA is simply an alternative name.

How much does getting a DBA cost?

The filing fee for a DBA application in Utah is $22. There are also renewal fees of $27 every three years to keep the DBA active.

Do I need a DBA for my Utah business?

You don’t have to register for a DBA in Utah, but it is a good idea if you want to operate under a new name different from your legal business name for simplicity and branding.

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

These terms mean the same thing: a name under which a business operates that differs from its legal name. In Utah, the term “assumed name” is the most common.

How long does a DBA last?

In Utah, a DBA expires every three years, after which you must go through a renewal process.

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

There is no hard limit on the number of DBA names one can register in Utah. You must register each DBA name separately and adhere to Utah’s naming guidelines.

Is a DBA the same as a trademark?

No, a DBA can’t offer the same legal protections as a trademark. A federal trademark gives you exclusive rights to a name or logo, so others can’t use something similar. A DBA simply allows a business entity to operate under a different name within Utah.

Does a DBA affect my business’s tax status?

No, having a DBA does not affect the tax status of a business. A DBA isn’t a separate legal entity and, therefore, doesn’t have a different tax ID or affect your tax obligations.

Bibliography

1. U.S. Small Business Administration. “Choose Your Business Name.” Accessed September 5, 2023.

2. Utah Department of Commerce. “Business Name Information.” Accessed September 5, 2023.

3. Utah Department of Commerce. “DBA.” Accessed September 5, 2023.