- [Instructor] DBA or Doing Business As is
essentially a nickname for your company.
In Missouri, a DBA is also called a fictitious name.
DBAs are a great way to rebrand your company name
to add new brands to your company,
or to change your company name completely.
For sole proprietors and partnerships,
DBAs offer the ability to operate under a name
that isn't the business owner surname.
For more information on the specifics of what a DBA is
and how it can be used,
check out our other video linked below.
In this video, we will go over the steps you need to take
in order to form a DBA in Missouri.
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There are two ways to form a DBA,
you can do it yourself or you can hire a service
to do it for you.
Let's take a look at both options and help you decide
how to go about forming your own DBA.
One, do it yourself.
If you want to save money you can form a DBA on your own.
Let's take a look at the steps to forming a DBA
in Missouri on your own.
One, complete name searches.
When determining what you want your DBA name to be,
you'll want to make sure
you follow Missouri naming requirements.
For more details, check out our video,
how to name your business in Missouri,
or a naming guides linked below.
Next, you'll want to make sure the name is available
in Missouri, note that when you register
your fictitious name, you're essentially letting
other business owners know that the name is in use,
your fictitious name isn't protected from being used
by other businesses.
That being said, it's still a good idea
to choose a fictitious name that isn't the same
as another business in Missouri.
The first and most important searches
with Missouri Secretary of State website,
if the name is not available,
you should adjust your name or use a different one.
We provide instructions to search your business name
in Missouri on how to start an llc.com, linked below.
Searching is free.
To learn more, visit Missouri naming guides linked
in the description below.
After confirming your name as available in Missouri,
we recommend doing a domain search to see
if your name is available as a URL.
Even if you don't plan on making website today,
we recommend buying your domain in order
to prevent others from acquiring it.
Two, register your DBA.
After you've chosen an available name,
you'll want to register your DBA.
In Missouri, you can register your DBA
with the Secretary of State.
You can file online
at the Missouri corporations online portal,
or you can complete the registration of fictitious name form
and submit it by mail or in person.
The following information is needed on the form,
the type of filing such as registration, renewal,
amendment or correction,
the fictitious name being registered,
the owner's names and addresses
and the owner's charter number if a business entity.
Filing fees vary, so check out our pages linked below
for more detailed information.
And with that, you'll have a DBA in Missouri.
Keep in mind that your Missouri DBA needs
to be renewed every five years,
you can either renew online
or complete the form linked below.
Option two, the second way to form a DBA is
to hire a professional service to create your DBA for you.
hiring a professional service to file your forms
and do name searches will cost you an additional 50 to $150.
However, there are several benefits to working with a pro.
A hired professional files your DBA for you,
keeps you up to date with renewals,
and assist with publications.
DBAs or Doing Business As are also known as trade names,
assumed names, or fictitious names of a business.
Informal business structures like sole proprietorships,
and partnerships can use DBAs as their business name
instead of their surnames.
Formal business structures like LLCs
and corporations can use DBAs as a means to rebrand
their name, add new brands, or change the name
they're using as their business name.
DBAs are not a business structure
and are not separate legal entities.
They also do not provide asset protection
or liability protection to informal business structures.
For state specific guides on how to form a DBA,
check out the pages linked below.
And for a more detailed guide, visit startupsavant.com.
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Give the video a like if you found it useful
and subscribe if you'd like to see more
and if you have questions or encounter any roadblocks,
leave a comment below.
Good luck in starting your small business.
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