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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Washington.
| Official Term | Trade Name |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service [1] |
| Form | Business License Application - Form BLS 700-028 [2] |
| State Fee | $5 per trade name + applicable processing fee |
| Processing Time | Approximately 10 business days online; up to 3 weeks by mail |
| Renewal Required | No. Washington trade names do not expire. |
| Cancellation | Free. File through the Department of Revenue online portal or by written request. [3] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Washington state, the official term for a DBA is a trade name. The terms trade name, assumed name, fictitious business name, and DBA all refer to the same thing.
Any type of business can register a trade name in Washington. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. Once registered, you can use your trade name on marketing materials, social media accounts, websites, and business bank accounts.
A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your business structure. It simply lets your business operate under a name that fits your brand.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Entity Branding | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors must use their personal names by default. Registering a trade name unlocks strategic freedom, letting you market under a professional brand that clearly communicates your services. | Washington banks require a registered trade name before opening commercial checking business account under trade names. A DBA provides the official verification needed to separate personal and business finances. | A trade name lets you launch new product lines without the expensive overhead of establishing separate legal companies. This allows you to easily scale unique public brands while keeping corporate compliance structures simple. | Operating under a trade name keeps your personal identity off public websites, invoices, and consumer contracts. It also builds commercial credibility, signaling to vendors that your operations are official. |
Washington routes all trade name registrations through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. The process is the same whether you are a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation.
Washington state requires your trade name to be distinguishable from every other registered business name and trade name already on file. Before you file anything, check whether your preferred name is available.
Search for free using the Washington Department of Revenue Business Lookup. You can search by business name, UBI number, or business license number. You can also verify availability with Swyft Filings before you file. [4]
Washington's naming rules for trade names are simple, but the state does enforce them.
| Your trade name must be unique: | Entity designators must match your actual structure | Restricted words require special approval |
|---|---|---|
| It cannot be the same as or confusingly similar to another registered business name or trade name on file with the state. | A sole proprietorship cannot include "LLC," "Corp," or "Inc." in its trade name. Only an entity of that type can use its corresponding designator. | Terms like "bank," "financial institution," "insurance," "trust," and "college" are restricted. [5] |
| File Your Trademark Now! | ||
| :---: |
Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Registering a trade name in Washington does not give you trademark protection. If someone holds a federal trademark for your name, your DBA registration will not protect you from a dispute. [6]
Washington trade names are registered by filing the Business License Application - Form BLS 700-028 with the Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service. This is the same form used to apply for a Washington business license. If you are registering a trade name for an existing business, you file this same form again. [2]
| Situation | State Fee |
|---|---|
| New business filing for the first time | $50 processing + $5 per trade name |
| Existing business adding a trade name | $10 processing + $5 per trade name |
| Changing an existing trade name | $10 processing + $5 per trade name |
The state fees above are non-refundable. If your application is rejected due to a name conflict or incomplete information, you will need to refile and pay again. Having a specialist review your application before submission reduces that risk.
Once you submit your Business License Application, the Department of Revenue will process your trade name registration. Online filings take approximately 10 business days. Mail filings can take up to three weeks.
After approval, you will receive an electronic confirmation with your trade name registration number. This is your proof of DBA filing. Your bank, vendors, and other partners may ask to see it.
Washington trade names do not expire. You can use your registered DBA indefinitely. If you decide to stop using it, cancel your trade name at no cost through the Department of Revenue's cancellation portal or by written request.
A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners.
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 and you are operating as a sole proprietor with a DBA, your personal finances are still at risk.
Forming an LLC means you are creating a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business liabilities. An LLC also gives your business more credibility with banks, landlords, and partners.
| 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 you want a name other than your legal name | No, the LLC name is your legal name |
| Cost to register | $5 + processing + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, a DBA is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection and a formal business structure, an LLC is the better choice.
Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA online to operate under a brand name different from their LLC's legal name.
Most Washington DBA rejections come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
Many owners check Google or a domain registrar and stop there. That does not tell you whether the name is already in use as a Washington business name or trade name. Always search the Washington Department of Revenue Business Lookup directly. If your trade name is not distinguishable from an existing name on record, your application will be rejected, and your processing fee is non-refundable.
A sole proprietor cannot include "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in their trade name. Only an entity that is actually formed as that type can use its corresponding suffix. Washington enforces this under RCW 23.95.305, and the state will reject a trade name that misrepresents your business structure.
If you are a new business, you can register your trade name and business license at the same time using Form BLS 700-028. Waiting to add it later means a separate filing and an extra processing fee. If you are filing for the first time, add your trade name on that first application.
A trade name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not protect your personal finances from business liabilities. If liability protection matters to you, consider forming an LLC and then adding a trade name for branding. Many Washington business owners do both.
Washington approving your trade name does not mean no one else has federal trademark rights to it. A federal trademark holder can still challenge your use even after your DOR registration goes through. Run a quick USPTO search before you invest in a website, signage, or long-term marketing under that name.
Washington trade names do not expire, which is convenient but also easy to forget. Old DBAs for retired brands or discontinued product lines stay on your public record until you cancel them. When you stop using a name, submit a free cancellation through the DOR portal. It keeps your business record clean.
Washington State Department of Revenue. Apply for a Business License. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
Washington State Department of Revenue. Business License Application – Form BLS 700-028. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
Washington State Department of Revenue. Cancel a Trade Name. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
Washington State Department of Revenue. Business Lookup Tool. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
Washington State Legislature. RCW 23.95.305 – Name Requirements for Entities. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
Washington Department of Revenue. Business Licensing Portal. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
Washington State Department of Revenue. Local offices. Accessed on June 1, 2026.
