In Maryland, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as a “trade name.” Registering a trade name allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal name. This can be beneficial for branding purposes or when expanding into new business areas.
For example, if you have an LLC called “Old Line State Enterprises LLC” that you use for your general contracting business, but you want to start a separate home renovation service, you could register a trade name like “Baltimore Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for a trade name provides business owners with flexibility in branding without the need to create separate legal entities for each business venture.
Note that while a trade name allows you to do business under a different name, it doesn’t provide the legal protections that come with forming an LLC or corporation.
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Do You Need a Maryland Trade Name (DBA) for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a trade name in Maryland, determine if it’s necessary for your business type:
Sole Proprietors: If you’re a sole proprietor operating under a name other than your legal name, you need to register a trade name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Annapolis Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as a trade name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need a trade name. For instance, if “Old Line State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Baltimore Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this trade name.
How to Get a Trade Name (DBA) in Maryland
Follow these steps to get a trade name in Maryland:
- Search the Maryland Business Express database to ensure your desired name is available.
- Check if your trade name is available as a domain name (optional).
- File your trade name application.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a Trade Name (DBA) Search in Maryland
Your trade name must be unique and comply with Maryland’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Maryland Business Express search tool:
https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch
Ensure your chosen name isn’t already in use and meets state requirements.
Step 2: Check if your name is available as a web domain
While not legally required, it’s wise to check if your trade name is available as a domain name for your future website. You can check domain availability at: godaddy.com/domains
Tips for choosing a domain:
- Aim for a .com domain if possible
- Avoid using hyphens between words
- Consider adding relevant keywords (e.g., “maryland,” “baltimore”) if the exact match isn’t available
Step 3: Register your Maryland trade name (DBA)
To register your trade name in Maryland, you need to file a Trade Name Application with the Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can do this online through the Maryland Business Express portal:
https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired trade name
- Your business’s legal name and address
- A brief description of the nature of your business
- The names and addresses of the business owners
Step 4: Pay the filing fee
The filing fee for registering a trade name in Maryland is $25. This fee can be paid online during the application process.
Maryland trade name registrations are valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiration to maintain the registration.
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After You Get a Trade Name (DBA) For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your trade name, consider these next steps:
• Create a website: Establish an online presence for your business to reach more customers.
• Set up a business bank account: Keep your personal and business finances separate. We recommend Mercury Bank for online banking, but traditional banks are also an option.
• Obtain necessary licenses and permits: Ensure you have all required licenses and permits to operate legally in Maryland.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your trade name (DBA) in Maryland and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
