NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS:

Florida state requires every intent to register a Fictitious Name / DBA be published with the county where the business resides, prior to registration. Publication service is included in our charge of $220. Our legal publisher will provide proof of publication free of charge.

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ADVANTAGES OF DBA:

You can use your DBA name instead of your personal name to conduct business, collect payments and open bank accounts.

It allows a single legal entity (corporation, LLC, etc.) to operate multiple businesses without creating a new legal entity for each business.

Cost-effective and simple way to start doing business, without ongoing maintenance or the costs associated with forming a Corporation or LLC

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DBA MAKES IT EASY TO...

• Open a bank account and collect checks and payments under your business name
• Start publishing and advertising on business cards, signs and your website
• Look more professional and discourage others from using your name

Fortunately, FloridaRegistrations.org makes the process easy. Simply answer a few questions online, and we will prepare the application for you, and file it with the proper state agency.

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RESTRICTIONS TO DBA NAMES:

There are restrictions on the words that a DBA can contain. However, most of the restrictions are in place to ensure that your DBA name does not mislead the general public or imply that the business is a different type of entity than it actually is. For example, you cannot make your DBA name "Acme Incorporated" if you have not filed the necessary documents to legally form a Corporation. Likewise, you cannot include "LLC" in your DBA name if you haven't yet filed the documents to legally form an LLC, also you cannot use Ltd., LP, LLP, etc.

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WHAT IS A DBA / FICTITIOUS NAME:

A fictitious name means any name under which a person transacts business in this state, other than his legal name. Business means any enterprise or venture in which a person sells, buys, exchanges, barters, deals, or represents the dealing in any thing or article of value, or renders services for compensation. Legal name means a person's given name, or an entity that has been properly registered. Examples: trademarks, service marks, corporations, limited partnerships.

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WORKERS COMP EXEMPT REQUIREMENTS:

The registration of a Fictitious Name does not satisfy the Workers Comp Exemption requirements. Corporations satisfy the Wrokers comp requirements for both construction and non-construction industries, LLCs only satisfy the requirements for construction industry.

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WILL I RECEIVE ANYTHING IN THE MAIL:

Upon finalizing your DBA registration, Florida Registrations will email you your approved by the state paperwork. That will be sent as a pdf attachment, to the email address you listed on the online application, and will also be available for download, in the Florida state business database. We can also email you a link to your DBA / Fictitious Name listing in the state database, upon request. You can use those documents for any legal reason, to prove the status of your DBA, open a business bank account for your company, or apply for licenses and permits.

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HOW LONG IS THE DBA REGISTRATION VALID FOR:

The fictitious name registration is valid for a period of 5 years and expires on December 31 of the 5th year. The Division of Corporations will mail a renewal application to the last reported mailing address at least 3 months prior to its expiration. All fictitious names registered must maintain a current mailing address with the Division. Address changes must be made by letter or other written communication to the Division of Corporations.

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME / DBA / TRADE NAME:

A fictitious business name and DBA or "doing business as" name are one and the same. There is no difference between the two. A fictitious business name is, in fact, frequently referred to as DBA and vice versa. It is also often called an assumed business name or a trade name, the latter because it is the name you are using to engage in your chosen trade, occupation or business.

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WHEN IS A REGISTRATION NECESSARY:
DBA registration is necessary if your company conducts any business and/or collects money under a name other than your own name. "Conducting business" can include marketing, advertising, letterhead, business cards, etc., in addition to actual business transactions. Also, banks generally require a DBA registration in order to open a business bank account 

Just as important is your ability to open a bank account with your business name. However, over 70% of people make mistakes while trying to file legal documents, so doing a DBA without help can be challenging.

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