How to Register a DBA in Florida

Registering a Florida DBA (doing business as), also known as a Florida fictitious name, is a simple process that you complete with the Secretary of State.

Learn How to Register a DBA in Florida yourself in three simple steps:

• Step 1: Complete a Florida Fictitious Name Search
• Step 2: Publish a Notice for Your Florida DBA
• Step 3: Register Your Sunbiz DBA on the Sunbiz Fictitious Name Portal or by Mail

How to Get a DBA in Florida – Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Start With a Sunbiz Florida Fictitious Name Search

If you haven’t already, visit the Sunbiz Florida Fictitious Name Search portal to complete a fictitious name search. Your name must be distinguishable from all Sunbiz fictitious name registrations that are already on file.

Your name can be similar to other business names, but it’s still a good practice to create a unique business name.

In Florida, your fictitious name should not include:

• Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp., etc unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
• Any terms given to financial institutions, including: “bank,” “banc,” “banco,” ‘banque,” “banker,””trust company,” “savings and loan association,” “savings bank,” “credit union” or other similar words.

Next, a quick search on the U.S. Trademark Electronic Search System will tell you whether someone else has already trademarked your name.

Now would be the perfect time to make sure there’s a web domain available for your Florida DBA as well.

Step 2: Publish a Notice for Your Florida Fictitious Name

Florida requires that all new fictitious names be published once in a newspaper before the business name is registered.

You must publish your “legal notice of intent to file a fictitious name” with a newspaper in the county were your principal location is located. Start by contacting a newspaper in the county of your principal location. Then, request the newspaper publish a “legal noticle of intent to file a fictitious name.”

The legal notice of intent to file a fictitious name must state:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of [Your DBA Name Here] intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee FL and/or Clerk of the Circuit Court of [County], FL. [Your Company Name, Address, City State, Zip Code]

The exact newspaper requirements can be found in detail in chapter 50 of Florida Statutes. The basic requirements for the publishing newspaper are:

• 25% of the publication’s words must be written in English.
• The publication must be printed or published at least once a week.
• The publication must be admissible as a periodical in the post office in the county where it’s published and it should be available and interesting to the public.
• The publication must have been in existence for at least 1 year.
• If publishing in a county without a newspaper, see chapter 50 of Florida Statutes.
• If publishing online, see chapter 50 of Florida Statutes.

Proof of Publication

When it comes to proof of publication, Florida enforces a criminal variation of the honor system. When you sign the form, you are promising that you published the name already and that you did it right.

The signature line of the application for registration of fictitious name states:

“ I further certify that the intention to register the fictitious name to be registered has been advertised at least once in a newspaper as defined in chapter 50, Florida Statutes…I understand that the signature below shall have the same legal effect as if made under oath and I am aware that false information submitted in a document to the Department of State constitutes a third degree felony as provided for in s.817.155, F.S.”

We think this goes without saying—DO NOT register your DBA in Florida without publishing first.

Step 3: Register Your Florida Fictitious Name with the State

In Florida, you register your DBA with the secretary of state. You can file online at the Sunbiz fictitious name portal or you can complete the application for registration of fictitious name form.

The application will ask for your new DBA name and information about your business, such as:

• Section 1: List your new fictitious name, business address and principal place of business (county), and FEI (EIN) if applicable.
• Section 4: Use this section to cancel or change a registration, or change the name of registration (this can only be done on the application for registration of fictitious name form, not online).
• Bottom of Form: Choose to receive a “Certificate of Status” or “Certified Copy” for your fictitious name.

A DBA does not offer any legal protection for your personal assets in the event that your business is sued. For more information on setting up a limited liability company, visit our How to Form an LLC page and select your state.

Submit Your Fictitious Name Application

Walk In

Division of Corporations
Clifton Building
2661 Executive Center Circle
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Mail

Fictitious Name Registration
PO Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Fees

$50 Processing Fee
$10 Certificate of Status
$30 Certified Copy

Manage Your Florida Fictitious Name

General Questions

Call the Florida secretary of state: 850-245-6059

Renew Your Fictitious Name with the State

Your Florida DBA should be renewed by December 31st of the fifth year after registration and every five years after that. You can renew on the Sunbiz DBA portal or by completing and mailing the application for renewal of fictitious name form. Mail the completed form to:

Fictitious Name Renewal
Division of Corporations
PO Box 6327
Tallahassee, Florida 32314

Change Your Fictitious Name

To make changes to your certificate of assumed name, complete only section 4 of the registration of a fictitious name form. Mail the completed form to:

Fictitious Name Registration
PO Box 6327
Tallahassee, Fl 32314

Withdraw Your Fictitious Name

To cancel your fictitious name, complete only section 4 of the registration of a fictitious name form. Include an updated address if your business’ address on file is no longer valid. Mail the completed form to:

Fictitious Name Registration
PO Box 6327
Tallahassee, Fl 32314

Need Help Filing Your Florida Fictitious Name?

FAQ DBA Florida

Useful Links for Your Florida DBA

• Florida Sunbiz.org Division of Corporations, FL Fictitious Name Registration
• Florida Fictitious Name Filing Options and Forms
• Florida Fictitious Name Act
• Florida Publication Statute
• What is a Sole Proprietorship?
• What is an LLC?
• Best LLC Formation Services

Florida Business Resources