In Montana, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as an “assumed business name.” Registering an assumed 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 “Big Sky Enterprises LLC” that you use for your general contracting business, but you want to start a separate home renovation service, you could register an assumed business name like “Bozeman Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for an assumed business name provides business owners with flexibility in branding without the need to create separate legal entities for each business venture.
Note that while an assumed 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.
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Do You Need a Montana DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Montana, 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 an assumed business name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Missoula Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as an assumed business name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need an assumed business name. For instance, if “Big Sky Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Bozeman Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this assumed business name.
How to Get a DBA in Montana
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Montana:
- Search the Montana 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 assumed business name registration.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Montana
Your assumed business name must be unique and comply with Montana’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Montana Secretary of State’s Business Search:
https://biz.sosmt.gov/search/business
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 assumed 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., “montana,” “bigsky”) if the exact match isn’t available
Step 3: Register your Montana DBA
To register your assumed business name in Montana, you need to file an Assumed Business Name Registration with the Montana Secretary of State. You can do this online through the Secretary of State’s ePass Montana system:
https://app.mt.gov/epass/Authn/SelectIdP
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired assumed 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 an assumed business name in Montana is $20. This fee can be paid online during the application process.
Montana assumed business 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 DBA For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your assumed 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 Montana.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your assumed business name (DBA) in Montana and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
