A D/B/A, which stands for 'Doing Business As,' is a fictitious name or trade name under which an individual or a business operates, rather than using their legal name. For sole proprietors and general partnerships, this often means operating under a business name that isn't their personal name. For incorporated entities like LLCs and corporations, a D/B/A allows them to conduct business under a name different from their officially registered legal entity name. Registering a D/B/A is a state-level requirement in most jurisdictions. It ensures transparency in business dealings, allowing consumers and creditors to identify the actual owner(s) behind a business name. Without a D/B/A, sole proprietors would have to use their personal names for business, which is impractical for branding and marketing. For LLCs and corporations, using a D/B/A avoids the need to form a new legal entity if they wish to operate a secondary business under a different name. Lovie can help you navigate these requirements across all 50 states.
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