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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Wyoming.
| Official Term | Trade name |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division [1] |
| Form | Application for Registration of Trade Name [1] |
| State Fee | $100 filing fee, payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State [1] |
| Processing Time | Up to 15 business days following receipt; no expedited service is available [1] |
| Renewal Required | Yes. A trade name registration is effective for 10 years and may be renewed for additional 10-year periods for $50 [3] |
| Cancellation | File a cancellation request with the Secretary of State; the fee is $10 [5] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As" It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Wyoming, the official term is "trade name."
Any type of business can register a trade name in Wyoming. Under state law, this includes individuals, general partnerships, limited partnerships, LLCs, corporations, and statutory trusts. If the applicant is a business entity, it must be registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State before applying. [1]
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 and Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors operate under their personal names by default. A trade name lets you do business under a professional brand instead. | Wyoming 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. |
Wyoming routes all trade name registrations through the Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division. Registration is statewide, so there is no separate county filing. Note that registering a trade name in Wyoming is optional, not mandatory. [6]
By statute, the Secretary of State will not register a trade name that is the same as, or deceptively similar to, a trademark or service mark registered in the state, or that is not distinguishable from the names of other business entities on record. Checking availability first keeps your application from being rejected. [3]
You can search existing business names and filings for free through the Wyoming Secretary of State business name search. Run your proposed trade name there before you file to confirm it is available. [2]
Wyoming trade name rules are simple, but they are enforced at the point of filing.
| Your trade name must be distinguishable | Entity designators must match your actual structure | Restricted words require special approval |
|---|---|---|
| A trade name cannot be the same as, or deceptively similar to, a registered trademark or service mark, and it must be distinguishable from other business names on record with the Secretary of State. [3] | A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name. An organizational identifier should match your actual business structure, not imply one you do not have. | Words indicating that the business is engaged in banking or insurance are restricted and require approval under the statute before they may be registered. [3] |
Run a federal trademark search at the USPTO as well. Registering a trade name in Wyoming gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [4]
To register, file the Application for Registration of Trade Name with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The application must be signed and notarized, and the trade name must already be in use in Wyoming before you register it. [1]
| Situation | State Fee |
|---|---|
| Register a new trade name | $100 [5] |
| Renew an existing trade name (every 10 years) | $50 [5] |
| Cancel a trade name you no longer use | $10 [5] |
By mail: Wyoming Secretary of State, Herschler Building East, Suite 101, 122 W 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020. Include your check or money order for the filing fee, payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State. [1]
Online: The trade name application cannot be accepted by email, and the Secretary of State accepts it as a mailed paper filing. For directions and contact details, see the Secretary of State contact page. [7]
Note: A filing fee of $100 must accompany the application. The Secretary of State cannot process incomplete forms, so a rejected or incomplete application must be corrected and re-filed. [1]
After you mail the application, processing takes up to 15 business days following the date your documents are received. Wyoming does not offer expedited filing, and applications are processed in the order they arrive. [1]
Once processed, the Secretary of State returns a date-stamped copy of your application as evidence of filing. Keep it. Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for it before they let you operate or accept funds under the trade name.
A Wyoming trade name registration is effective for 10 years. Within the six months before it expires, you may renew it for additional 10-year periods by filing a renewal and paying the $50 renewal fee; the Secretary of State notifies registrants when renewal is due. If you stop using a name, you can cancel the registration for a $10 fee. [3]
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 | $100 state fee + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most Wyoming 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 Wyoming Secretary of State business name search so your application is not rejected for a conflicting or indistinguishable name. [2]
The Application for Registration of Trade Name must be signed and notarized, and the name must already be in use in Wyoming before you file. Unsigned or unnotarized forms cannot be processed. [1]
A sole proprietor cannot put "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name unless the business is actually organized that way. The designator must match your real structure.
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 approval is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name, so run a USPTO search before you commit to a brand. [4]
Stale names confuse and keep you on the renewal cycle. If you no longer use a trade name, cancel it with the Secretary of State for the $10 fee. [5]
[1] Wyoming Secretary of State. Application for Registration of Trade Name and Instructions. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[2] Wyoming Secretary of State. Search for Business Names and Filings. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[3] Wyoming Legislature. Wyoming Statutes Title 40, Chapter 2, Trade Names (W.S. 40-2-101 et seq.). Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[4] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[5] Wyoming Secretary of State. Business Division Filing Fee Schedule. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[6] Wyoming Secretary of State. Business Entities FAQs. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[7] Wyoming Secretary of State. Contact Us and Office Information. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
