A business name is an Alaska DBA (doing business as). Alaska business name registration allows a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.
A DBA registration in Alaska will not protect your personal assets. Forming a formal business structure, such as an LLC or corporation, will provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.
In Alaska, you can register a DBA.
It is simple to register an Alaska business name, also known as a DBA.
A DBA is only used for branding purposes. A DBA does not protect your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we strongly advise that a DBA be used only by a formal business structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing business.
If you run an informal business (sole proprietorship or partnership), we strongly advise you to form an LLC to keep your business and personal assets separate. The name of the LLC can be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.
Learn How to File a DBA in Alaska in Two Easy Steps:
Begin by conducting an Alaska Business Name Search.
Create an Alaska DBA.
A DBA is only used for branding purposes. To keep your business and personal assets separate, we recommend forming an LLC.
Step 1: Conduct a business name search in Alaska.
Your Alaska business name must be distinct and meet the state’s business name requirements.
To begin, go to the website of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and search for your new DBA name to ensure it isn’t already in use.
Review the Alaska naming requirements next. In Alaska, your company name should NOT include the following words:
Any word or phrase indicating or implying that the corporation is organised for a purpose other than that stated in its Articles of Incorporation.
Words such as “city,” “borough,” or “village” that imply the corporation is a municipality. A city, borough, or village name may be used in the corporate name.
Words that may cause confusion between your company and a government agency or unit (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Professional licencing restrictions, such as “Engineer,” unless the company has the necessary professional licence.
We recommend that you check to see if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You may not intend to launch a business website right now, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.
Step 2: Create an Alaska DBA.
Before registering your Alaska business name, you must first obtain an Alaska business licence for that name—a separate business licence is required for each different name a business uses. If you do not already have a business licence, you must register by completing the New Business License Application or filing online.
Your Alaska business name can be registered with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development either online or by mail. You can either file online through the Department of Commerce website or fill out the New Business Name Registration form.
The following are some critical sections of the form:
Section 3: Include your company name, Alaska Business License Number, and business structure type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc.)
Section 7: Explain the nature of the company.
Manage Your Alaska Company Name
General Concerns
Call the Corporation Section of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development at (907) 465-2550.
Renew Your Company Name With the State
Your Alaska DBA must be renewed by December 31st of the fifth year following registration, and then every five years thereafter. You can renew your business name online or by filling out and mailing the business name renewal form. The fee for renewal is $25. Send the completed form and payment to the following address:
Section on Corporations
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska (99811-0806)
Change the Name of Your Company
Changing a business name usually necessitates obtaining a new business licence and submitting a new Business Name Registration form. You can apply for a new business licence and name online or by completing the New Business License Application and New Business Name Registration form. Send completed forms to the following address:
Section on Corporations
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska (99811-0806)
Withdraw Your False Name
You must submit a Request to Cancel or Inactivate Business License to cancel your business name. It is important to note that doing so cancels your entire business licence, not just your DBA. This form cannot be completed online. Send the completed form to the following address:
Section on Corporations
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska (99811-0806)