In Pennsylvania, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as a “Fictitious Name.” Registering a Fictitious 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 “Keystone 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 Name like “Philadelphia Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for a Fictitious 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 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 Pennsylvania DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Pennsylvania, determine if it’s necessary for your business type:
Sole Proprietors and Partnerships: If you’re operating under a name other than your legal name, you need to register a Fictitious Name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Pittsburgh Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as a Fictitious Name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need a Fictitious Name. For instance, if “Keystone State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Philadelphia Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this Fictitious Name.
How to Get a DBA in Pennsylvania
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Pennsylvania:
- Search the Pennsylvania Department 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 Name registration.
- Publish a legal notice.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Pennsylvania
Your Fictitious Name must be unique and comply with Pennsylvania’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Business Entity Search:
https://www.corporations.pa.gov/search/corpsearch
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 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
- Sometimes a quirky word (“guru”, “school” or “base”) makes for a good brand/domain.
Step 3: Register your Pennsylvania DBA
In Pennsylvania, you need to file a Registration of Fictitious Name with the Department of State. This can be done online or by mail:
https://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/Resources/Pages/Fictitious-Names.aspx
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired Fictitious 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: Publish a Legal Notice
After filing, you must publish a notice of your Fictitious Name registration in two newspapers of general circulation in the county where your business is located. One of these newspapers must be a legal newspaper. This step helps to inform the public of your new business name.
Step 5: Pay the filing fee
The filing fee for registering a Fictitious Name in Pennsylvania is $70. This fee is paid to the Department of State when you file your Registration of Fictitious Name.
Pennsylvania Fictitious Name registrations do not expire, but you must file an amendment if there are any changes to the information in your original filing.
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After You Get a DBA For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your Fictitious 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 Pennsylvania.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your Fictitious Name (DBA) in Pennsylvania and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
