In Mississippi, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as a “fictitious business name” or “trade name.” Registering a fictitious business 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 “Magnolia 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 fictitious business name like “Jackson Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for a fictitious business name provides business owners with flexibility in branding without the need to create separate legal entities for each business venture.
Note that while a fictitious business 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.
Want to Save Time and Have Swyft Filings Handle Your DBA Filing?
Get Swyft Filings to take care of your DBA filing for free
- Only pay state filing fees
- Money back gaurantee
- Select DBA from 'Start Your Business' Menu
Do You Need a Mississippi DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Mississippi, 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 fictitious business name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Gulf Coast Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as a fictitious business name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need a fictitious business name. For instance, if “Magnolia State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Jackson Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this fictitious business name.
How to Get a DBA in Mississippi
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Mississippi:
- Search the Mississippi Secretary of State’s database to ensure your desired name is available.
- Check if your DBA is available as a domain name (optional).
- File your fictitious business name registration.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Mississippi
Your fictitious business name must be unique and comply with Mississippi’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Business Search:
https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx
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 fictitious business 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., “mississippi,” “gulfcoast”) if the exact match isn’t available
Step 3: Register your Mississippi DBA
To register your fictitious business name in Mississippi, you need to file a Fictitious Business Name Registration with the Mississippi Secretary of State. You can do this online through the Secretary of State’s website:
https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/portal_login/portal.aspx
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired fictitious business 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 fictitious business name in Mississippi is $25. This fee can be paid online during the application process.
Mississippi fictitious business name registrations are valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiration to maintain the registration.
Another Option: Get Bizee to File Your DBA for Free
Get Bizee to take care of your DBA filing for free
- Only pay state filing fees
- Money back gaurantee
- Select 'Doing Business As' Name (DBA) from 'Services' Menu
After You Get a DBA For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your fictitious business 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 Mississippi.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your fictitious business name (DBA) in Mississippi and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.