Would you like to use a business name other than your legal name? You can do that when you use a fictitious business name. A fictitious business name is also sometimes referred to as a DBA (doing business as), an assumed business name, or a tradename.

Fictitious business names can give people who own multiple businesses the flexibility of owning a business without the need of having to create an entirely new business entity. However, in order to protect the name, a fictitious business name should usually be registered with the county clerk's office as well as the state government.

When Should You Register a Fictitious Business Name?

You must register your name either before you make your first business transaction, or within forty days of that transaction. Then you will have to renew your chosen name every 5 years.

How to Get Fictitious Business Names

The process for getting fictitious business names is quite similar from one state to the next. Here is what you should do:

1. Go to or call your county clerk's office in order to find out the requirements. Request whatever forms you will need to obtain your fictitious business name.

2. Do a search on the fictitious names database. You need to ascertain that the name that you picked is unique.

3. Search to see if the name you picked has been trademarked.

4. If you have not found any conflicting information, fill out the paperwork you need to register for your name.

5. Go to the county clerk's office (or the apropos state agency) to file the paperwork. You will have to pay a fee. The fee is usually between ten dollars and fifty dollars.

6. In most states you will have to publish your new fictitious name in your local newspaper and then submit the advertisement as proof that you have done so. If you have any questions you should call your local newspaper.

Why Do You Have to Register Your Fictitious Name With a Government Agency?

The main reason you need to register your name is to be able to be held accountable by the public. When you register your name you will leave a paper trail that customers can follow if they have any complaints to register against your company.

When you register a fictitious name you also make it possible to legally enforce a contract.

And, if you want to open a bank account you will need to have a business name that has been registered with all the proper agencies.

If you want to protect your business name then you will need to consider trademarking your company's name.