In Nevada, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as a “fictitious firm name.” Registering a fictitious firm 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 “Silver 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 firm name like “Las Vegas Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for a fictitious firm 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 firm 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 Nevada DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Nevada, 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 firm name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Reno Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as a fictitious firm name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need a fictitious firm name. For instance, if “Silver State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Las Vegas Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this fictitious firm name.
How to Get a DBA in Nevada
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Nevada:
- Search the Nevada 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 firm name registration.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Nevada
Your fictitious firm name must be unique and comply with Nevada’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Nevada Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search:
https://esos.nv.gov/EntitySearch/OnlineEntitySearch
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 firm 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., “nevada,” “vegas”) if the exact match isn’t available
Step 3: Register your Nevada DBA
In Nevada, fictitious firm names are registered at the county level, not with the state. You’ll need to file with the county clerk in each county where you plan to do business. For example, if you’re operating in Las Vegas, you’d file with the Clark County Clerk:
You’ll typically need to provide the following information:
- Your desired fictitious firm 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
Filing fees vary by county. For example, in Clark County, the fee is $25 for the first business name and owner, with additional fees for extra names or owners. Check with your specific county clerk for exact fees.
Nevada fictitious firm name registrations are typically 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 fictitious firm 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 Nevada.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your fictitious firm name (DBA) in Nevada and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
