How to Set Up a DBA in Oregon

What is a DBA?

A DBA is an acronym for “doing business as,” sometimes known as a fictitious name, trade name, or DBA name, depending on which state you are acquiring, is a state-level name that your company can use to do business under. Or in simpler terms, a DBA is just another name you can use for your business.

Sole proprietors can benefit a lot from using a DBA because instead of using their own name to run their business, they can use a DBA to operate under a different name, which makes your company look more legitimate and trustworthy to future consumers. 

If you are thinking about a unique business name for your startup as a sole proprietor, the next step would be DBA filing to make sure the name of the business you thought about could be the legal name for your business. Where you are registering for LLCs, general partnerships, or any type of business entity, the acquisition of a DBA is a good way to start. 

How to search DBA names in Oregon (step by step)

The first step for setting up a DBA name is to search the Secretary of State database for all DBA names in the system. Note that similar and the same names are not allowed in the state of Oregon, so checking the availability of a name is essential. 

If you already have a list of names, you can visit the Oregon Secretary of State’s website to see if the names are available. 

When thinking of a name, make sure it is relevant to your business. Once you have a list, you can use the Oregon business name search tool to check for availability.

Just type in each name you came up with to see if they are available to use and wait for the results. 

If there aren’t any exact matches in the business name results, then you are free to use the name. However, if the name is too similar to one of the names in the results, it is ideal to pick a different and more unique name for your business.

If you really like the name you have chosen, but you are not yet ready to file for a DBA, you can consider reserving that business name for 120 days. It will allow you to lock the name for your business for a certain amount of time. However, the downside is the filing fee. It costs $100 to reserve the name, which is more than what the DBA costs. 

If you decide to reserve the name, you can check this form here and fill it out with the necessary details. Note that when you reserve the name, you can use it for filing a trade name and for filing articles of organization for an LLC.

Cost to get a DBA set up

The DBA cost in Oregon is $50, and you can pay with cash, credit card, or check when you go visit your local county clerk’s office to pay. Unlike other states where a DBA lasts for 5 years, in Oregon, a DBA will only have a 2-year validity. This means you will need to renew the DBA every 2 years for the same price. 

If you wish to make changes to your DBA application, you can use this form here. For cancellations, you will need this form.

The good thing about renewing your DBA in Oregon is that you can do it online. If you need to renew your trade name in Oregon, you can do so through this link.

How to register a DBA in Oregon

Registering for a DBA in Oregon is easy, all you need to do is have the necessary information you need about your business, such as the name of your business, the nature of the business, which county you are operating in, and more. Here are the steps to set up a DBA in Oregon:

The first step is already explained at the top of the article. All you need to do is come up with relevant names for your business and check if they are available.

The next step is to file online or in person. When filing online, you can go through the portal using this link here. If you are filing in person, you can download this form and fill it out. Then, submit the form to your local county clerk’s office.

The information you need to file an assumed name in Oregon is a full description of your business, the name of the owner or authorized representative, the contact information of all owners, and the counties you wish to register your DBA.

After filing, the processing time takes around 5 to 10 business days. In the meantime, you can do the other necessary steps you need to operate your business, and your business will be running in no time.

What comes next

Now that you filed everything you need to set up your assumed business name in Oregon, here are more steps that come next before you can operate your new business:

An EIN or Employer Identification Number is essential for most businesses. Not only for tax reasons, but you will need an EIN to get a business bank account, set up credit for your suppliers, hire employees, and obtain insurance for your employees. It is quite easy to get an EIN, which is also referred to as a FEIN in some states. Just visit the IRS website to get an EIN online.

Some businesses need to get the necessary permits, such as business licenses to sell tobacco or alcohol, and licenses for professions like accountants, barbers, contractors, and more. You can find all the information you need about business licensing here. Not all businesses need to be registered in Oregon, as long as you have the permits you need to operate legally.

Getting a business bank account has more benefits than you think. Aside from allowing you to do business transactions other than your legal name, having a business bank account will also enable you to set up a line of credit, which is essential for growing businesses. You can also track and analyze business spending and income without getting confused with your personal expenses.

Now that you have an EIN, you can now legally hire employees to help you with your business. You can hire freelancers if you don’t need full-time employees and get them set up with their 1099 or W-2 tax forms. 

Who is a DBA best for?

A DBA is best for a sole proprietorship that wants to operate or do business under a different name, other than its legal name. For sole proprietors, a DBA allows them to work under an assumed name of your business without having to file or open a separate LLC business structure.

Note that a DBA is different from an LLC or any other business entity. While your LLC is a formal business structure, a DBA is just another name your business can operate under. However, an LLC is a legal entity that can also benefit from having a DBA for business growth and creating separate entities within a growing small business. 

For example, suppose you already own a small business that sells one thing. In that case, you can also expand and create a separate legal entity with a DBA to differentiate between these two businesses regarding legal protections and liability. 

Why would entrepreneurs choose to set up a DBA in Oregon?

There are many reasons to get a DBA instead of an LLC or any other business entity, especially when you are just starting. With that in mind, here are some of the benefits of starting a DBA in Oregon: