How to Add a DBA to an LLC: The Founder’s Guide to Multi-Brand Strategy
A DBA expands your brand reach, but only if the paperwork keeps up.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney. Laws vary by state, and individualized guidance is recommended.
As your business grows, you may find that the name you originally chose for your LLC no longer covers everything you do. Maybe you started "Smith Holdings LLC" for landscaping, but now you are branching into pool maintenance or exterior lighting. Rather than dealing with the paperwork and cost of forming entirely new companies, a lot of founders use what is sometimes called a "Parent Child" brand strategy by adding a DBA.
A DBA, or "Doing Business As" name, lets your existing LLC operate under a different name while keeping all your business activity under one legal roof. Think of it as a tool for growth. It gives you the freedom to branch out or test a new brand without losing the liability protection you have already built.
What Does It Mean to Add a DBA to an LLC?
Adding a DBA to your LLC is basically giving your legal entity a "nickname" or a "stage name." In this setup, your LLC is the "Legal Person," the entity that signs contracts, pays taxes, and holds the bank account. The DBA is the "Performer," the brand name the public sees on your storefront, website, and business cards.
This "Parent Child" structure lets a single LLC act as an umbrella for multiple brands. For example, "Riverside Ventures LLC" could have three separate DBAs: "Riverside Coffee," "Riverside Books," and "Riverside Roasters." Each brand has its own identity, but legally, they are all part of the same company.
Jargon Translation Key
Depending on where you live, your state might use a different term for a DBA. Here is a quick reference so you know what to look for when you start the filing process:
Common Term | Where You May See It |
Fictitious Business Name (FBN) | Common in states like California and others on the West Coast. |
Trade Name | Used in a number of states, often at the state filing level. |
Assumed Name | Frequently seen in states across the Midwest and South. |
Doing Business As (DBA) | The most widely recognized term, used across many jurisdictions. |
Fictitious Name Registration | Used in certain states, often at the county level. |
How to Add a DBA to Your LLC in 5 Steps
Registering a DBA is generally simpler than forming an LLC, but it still requires attention to detail to make sure your banking and legal protections stay intact. Follow these five steps to get your new brand name registered the right way.
Step 1: Name Availability Search
Before you file anything, you need to make sure the name you want is not already taken. Most states and counties have online databases where you can search for existing fictitious names. Do not just rely on a Google search. It happens more often than you would think: a founder assumes a name is open because the website domain is available, only to have their official application rejected because a local business already registered it.
Step 2: Determine Filing Jurisdiction
Where you file depends on your state's rules. In some states, you file directly with the Secretary of State. In others, you may need to file at the county level where your business is physically located. Requirements vary quite a bit from one state to the next, so always check your local guidelines first to make sure you are filing with the right agency.
Step 3: File the Registration
Once you have confirmed the name is available and identified the correct office, you will submit a "Fictitious Business Name Statement" or "Trade Name Registration." This form typically asks for the LLC's legal name, the new DBA name, and the business address. Expect to pay a filing fee, which generally ranges from around $10 to $100 depending on the jurisdiction.
Step 4: The "Publication" Requirement
This is a step that catches a lot of founders off guard. Certain states require you to publish a notice of your new DBA in a local newspaper for a set number of weeks. This "public notice" is a legal requirement meant to inform the community of who is behind the business. If you skip this step or miss the deadline, it could void your registration entirely. Check with your state or county to see whether this applies to you.
Step 5: Receive Your Certified Copy
After your filing is processed, the state or county will issue a "Certified Copy" or a stamped version of your registration. Hold onto this document. While a digital printout might be fine for your own records, most banks will ask to see the official, stamped version before they will open or update a business account.
The "Bank Ready" Checklist: Using Your New DBA
Once you have your DBA in hand, you need to put it to work. You cannot just start accepting checks in the new name without updating your financial setup first. To make this go smoothly, put together a "Banker's Folder" with these four items:
- Articles of Organization: To prove your LLC exists.
- Certified DBA Registration: To prove the LLC owns the new name.
- LLC Operating Agreement: Showing you have the authority to manage the account.
Existing EIN: Your federal tax ID.
The "No New EIN" Rule
One of the most common misconceptions is that a new DBA means you need a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. That is not the case. Because a DBA is not a separate legal entity, it is "tax neutral." You will keep using the same EIN you already have for your LLC. Your tax filing process does not change at all. You simply report the income from all of your DBAs under your primary LLC.
Professional Invoicing
When you start sending invoices under your new name, it is a good practice to include a small note in the footer: "Brand X is a trade name of Smith Holdings LLC." This keeps things transparent and makes sure that if a legal dispute ever comes up, there is no confusion about which entity is behind the contract.
DBA vs. New LLC: When Should You Scale Up?
A DBA is a great branding tool, but it does not create a "liability firewall" between your different brands. If "Riverside Coffee" gets sued, the assets tied to "Riverside Books" could be at risk too, because they both belong to the same LLC.
Factor | DBA | New LLC |
Liability Protection | No separation. All DBAs share the same liability pool as the parent LLC. | Full separation. Each LLC is its own legal entity with its own liability. |
Cost | Low. Filing fees are generally minimal. | Higher. Requires new formation fees, a new EIN, and new accounts. |
Tax Filing | Simple. Everything is reported under the parent LLC's EIN. | Separate. Each LLC files its own returns or requires additional reporting. |
Best For | Low risk brand extensions, testing new markets, or running side projects. | Higher risk ventures where you need to keep liabilities isolated from your other businesses. |
If your new brand carries significantly more risk (for example, if your landscaping company starts a division for hazardous tree removal), it may be time to form a separate LLC to keep that risk isolated from the rest of your business.
Conclusion
Adding a DBA to your LLC is a straightforward way to expand your business reach without the burden of managing multiple legal entities. Search for name availability, handle any publication requirements your state may have, and get your banker's folder together. Do those three things and you can launch your new brand with confidence.
Ready to take the next step? Whether you need to file a fictitious name statement or work through publication requirements, Legal.com can help you handle the paperwork so you can focus on building your business.
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