How to Set Up a DBA in Pennsylvania

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, and 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 Pennsylvania

To file for a DBA or fictitious business name in PA, you need to come up with a name first. Pennsylvania doesn’t allow businesses to have the same name, which is why it is essential to check for availability first. Here is how to search the database for business names in Pennsylvania:

To see if the business name you’d like is available to use as a fictitious name, go to the Department of State website in Pennsylvania and use the business name search tool. You can come up with a list of names to make sure you have a backup name in case one of the names you chose is not available. 

Now that you have the business name list, you can search them one by one using the tool and review the results. 

If there are no matches, you are free to use the name. If a business already exists with the name you’d like to use, you’ll have to pick a different one.

Although you don’t need to reserve a business name if you are ready to file for a DBA, you can still consider it if you cannot file for the DBA right away. The fee to reserve a business name in PA is $70, and it will reserve the name for 120 days.

Now that you have a name that is free to use, you can now file for a DBA and use that name for your small business. 

Cost to get a DBA set up

The filing fee to get a DBA set up in PA is $70. You can pay by credit card if you are filing online. However, if you are filing in person through the local county clerk’s office, you can pay with cash or check. It takes around 2 weeks to get the DBA as long as there are no errors in the filing process and incomplete information once the forms are submitted.

How to register a DBA in Pennsylvania

Registering a DBA in Pennsylvania is easy because you can do it all online through their web portal. Here are the easy steps to file for a DBA in Pennsylvania.

If you are filing online, you can visit the portal here. It will require you to fill out the same forms when you do it in person. The only difference is it is quicker to file online than to visit the offices. 

If you are filing in person, you need to download the form here. When filing in person, you will have to visit the closest county clerk’s office.

Gather the necessary information before filling out the fictitious name form. The information you need will be the DBA name, a description of the nature of your business, business address, name and contact information of the owner or owners, and other information that is easily accessible. 

The fee is $70, and you can pay cash, credit card, or check, depending on the way you are filing. Once you submitted and paid all the fees, it will take approximately 2 weeks to get the DBA. 

You will need to advertise your DBA name in the local county newspaper you wish to operate your business in. You can find the list of state-approved county publications here. There is no need to submit proof of advertising, but it is ideal to keep and file the newspaper for future use. 

What comes next

Now that you have your DBA setup or just waiting for your DBA name certificate to be processed, here are some of the next steps you want to get ready for before opening up your business:

Many businesses find their most loyal clients online or in a web search. If you want to grow your business and further your reach, you can get a domain name for your business and build a website.

Note that it is always better to choose a domain name that is similar to your assumed name to avoid confusion. 

If you need help running your business, the next step is to hire employees. But before you can legally hire help, you will need to get an EIN from the IRS. Having an EIN has many benefits, such as opening a business bank account, hiring employees, getting employee insurance, and getting workers comp. Plus, having a few extra hands will enable you to expand your business and might even help you become a full-time entrepreneur. 

Now that you have an EIN and a DBA, you can now set up a bank account under your assumed business name in Pennsylvania. Not only will having a bank account make your business look more legitimate in the eyes of your potential clients, but it will also enable you to accurately track your business expenses and income without mixing your personal bank account.

A DBA isn’t the only thing you need to run your business. You will also need the necessary permits, such as liquor and tobacco licenses, professional licenses for different services, and other local or state-wide permits needed to operate your business legally. You can get these licenses from the Department of State Licensing Services and file them online through their portal here. 

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 Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania: