In Tennessee, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as an “Assumed Name.” Registering an Assumed 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 “Volunteer State 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 Name like “Nashville Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for an Assumed 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 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 Tennessee DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Tennessee, 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 an Assumed Name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Memphis Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as an Assumed Name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need an Assumed Name. For instance, if “Volunteer State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Nashville Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this Assumed Name.
How to Get a DBA in Tennessee
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Tennessee:
- Search the Tennessee 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 Name registration.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Tennessee
Your Assumed Name must be unique and comply with Tennessee’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Business Name Search:
https://tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/FilingSearch.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 Assumed 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 Tennessee DBA
In Tennessee, you need to file an Assumed Name Registration with the Secretary of State. This can be done online or by mail.
To file online, visit the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website: https://tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/AssumedNameInstr.aspx
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired Assumed 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 Name in Tennessee is $20. This fee can be paid online if you’re filing electronically, or by check if you’re filing by mail.
Tennessee Assumed Name registrations are valid for five years. You must file a renewal before the expiration date to maintain your registration.
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After You Get a DBA For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your Assumed 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 Tennessee.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your Assumed Name (DBA) in Tennessee and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
