Where Can I File A DBA In Washington State?

A trade name is a Washington DBA (doing business as). A Washington trade name registration permits a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.

Your personal assets will not be protected if you register a Washington DBA. Forming a formal company structure, such as an LLC or corporation, can provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.

In Washington, you may register a DBA.

It is simple to register a Washington trade name, commonly known as a DBA.

A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. A DBA does not safeguard your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we highly advise that a DBA be utilised exclusively by a formal company structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing firm.

If you operate an informal company (sole proprietorship or partnership), we highly advise you to create an LLC to keep your business and personal assets distinct. The name of the LLC might be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.

Learn How to File a DBA in Washington State in Two Easy Steps:

Begin by doing a Washington trade name search.

Register Your DBA in Washington

A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. To keep your company and personal assets distinct, we propose incorporating an LLC.

Step 1: Conduct a Washington Trade Name Search.

When you register your Washington trade name, you effectively notify other company owners that the name is in use. Your company name is not protected against others using it. The next stage is to determine if your Washington trade name is distinct and fits Washington’s company name standards.

To begin, go to the Washington Department of Revenue’s Business Lookup website and check to see whether your new DBA name is already in use.

Review the Washington naming criteria next. Trade names in Washington should NOT include:

Unless the company is genuinely an LLC, corporation, or etc., any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc.

Any of the following words or phrases are prohibited by Washington state statute: bank, banking, banker, trust, cooperative, any combination of the words “industrial” and “loan,” any combination of any two or more of the words “building,” “savings,” “loan,” “home,” “association,” and “society,” or any other words or phrases.

Step 2: Create a Washington DBA.

Your Washington trade name may be registered with the Department of Revenue either online or by mail. You may either file online via the Washington Department of Revenue’s website or fill out the Business License Application.

The application will request your new DBA name as well as details about your company, such as:

Structure of ownership

Identifier Unified Business (UBI)

Date and location of business formation

Estimated yearly gross income

Date of first employment

Maintain Control of Your Washington Trade Name

General Concerns

Call the Washington Business Licensing Service at 1-800-451-7985 for further information.

Renew Your Business Name with the State

Your Washington business name will not expire.

Change Your Company Name

You may modify the name of your DBA online or by marking the box next to “change trade name” on the registration form.

Remove Your Trade Name

You may delete your trade name by going online or filling out the business information change form. You may also seek cancellation by emailing [email protected] or by faxing the Business Licensing Service at (360) 705-6699.