If you’re planning to start a business in Arizona using a specific name, you may need to register for a business name. Business name registration is commonly referred to as an Arizona DBA or “Doing Business As,” but is officially called a Trade Name.
Check out our guide to see if you need an Arizona Trade Name and the steps to register.
Related: Starting A Business In Arizona Checklist
Who needs to register for an Arizona Trade Name?
When a business wants to operate under a name other than its legal name, many states require it to register its new name. This is usually optional in Arizona, but most will want to register for one.
The requirements and need to register for a Trade Name are found in Arizona state law, A.R.S. § 44-1460.1 These requirements vary depending on the type of business structure.
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships in Arizona can but are not required to register for a DBA.
Even though it’s optional, a sole proprietorship or general partnership would register a business name with the Secretary of State because it can sometimes be difficult to enter into contracts under the business name. The main issue will be when trying to open a business bank account, as all banks are supposed to see a registered name certificate.
Even though a business in the state of Arizona can choose to use a name without registering it, registering a Trade Name is an accepted business practice that many will do. This filing prevents other businesses from being able to register it, as every registered business name has to be unique. By registering the name, you are securing it for yourself and making it harder for someone else to use it.
A corporation and Limited Liability Company won’t typically register for an Arizona DBA since a unique entity name is created during the entity formation process. However, some will want to register for a DBA if they have another business or brand name they want to operate in addition to the legal name of the business. This can allow multiple businesses to operate with the liability protection of an Arizona corporation or Limited Liability Company without forming another entity.
Steps to Register an Arizona Trade Name?
Step 1: Verify Name Availability
Each registered business name must be unique from the others in the state of Arizona. To see if the name you want to use is available, do an Arizona business name search on the Secretary of State’s website.
Step 2: Fill out the Trade Name Form
The form can either be submitted online or filled out and mailed in.
Questions on the form include:
- Desired Trade Name
- Date the name was first used
- Type of business entity
- What the business does
- Owner’s contact information
Note: The physical form will need to be notarized before signing and processing.
Step 3: Submit the Trade Name Form
After completing the Trade Name form, submit it online or mail it to the Arizona Secretary of State:
Arizona Secretary of State
Attn: Trade Name/Trademark Division
1700 W. Washington Street, FL. 7
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808
Arizona DBA FAQs
How much does it cost to get an Arizona Trade Name?
The filing fee for normal processing is $10, which typically takes 2-3 weeks. For 24-48 hour processing, expedited processing is available for an additional $25.
How long is a Trade Name good for in Arizona?
An Arizona Trade Name must be renewed every five years from the date of filing. Registration is available starting six months before the expiration date.
The renewal fee is $10.
Are there any naming restrictions when filing an Arizona DBA?
Certain words are not allowed for Arizona DBAs unless licensed by the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions. These words include:
– Bank
– Banker
– Banking
– Building Association
– Credit Union
– Deposit
– Savings Association
– Savings and Loan Association
– Thrift
– Trust
– Trust Company
Symbols are also not allowed, a few of which include !, @, #, $, &, ?.
DBAs are also prohibited from using entity designators reserved for corporations or LLCs such as Corp., Corporation, Incorporation, LLC, Limited Liability Company, etc.
Can someone use my business name after registering an Arizona DBA?
While registering your Trade Name will keep someone else from registering the exact same name in Arizona, it does very little to stop someone else from operating a business under that name in other states.
If stopping others from using your business name is important, you can protect it through a federal trademark through the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
Learn more about trademarking a business name.
Does a DBA need an EIN?
An EIN or Employer Identification Number (also informally called a business tax ID number) is a unique nine-digit number for which some businesses will register through the Internal Revenue Department (IRS). An EIN is required for partnerships, corporations, multi-member LLCs, or any business with employees.
Sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs without employees can use the owner’s social security number to identify the business.
There is no cost to get an EIN when registering directly from the IRS.
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