How to file a DBA in Florida

Updated: November 01, 2023

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Register a Fictitious Business Name or DBA Florida

DBA Florida registration is quite simple and easy. You can follow the steps given below;

#1 Begin with a DBA Florida

Your Florida DBA name should be unique and must meet all the business naming requirements of the state. You can visit the Sunbiz Florida Fictitious Name Search and search for the DBA name to ensure it is not already in use. Make sure your trade name doesn’t include the following:

Name of any business entity suffix like LLC, Corp, Incorporated, etc until and unless it is an LLC or a corporation.
Any phrases and words given to a financial institution such as “bank,” banker,” “banco,” “banque, “banc”, “trust company,” “savings and loan association,” “savings bank,” “credit union” or a similar word.

You should check if your name is available as a web domain (URL) name. You may not want to start a business today but can still secure the URL of your choice today.

If you haven’t thought of a Florida DBA name yet, get one through a business name generator. Then, create a logo for your brand with the help of a free logo generator.

#2 Use Your DBA Florida Name

You will be required to publish a “legal notice of intent to file a fictitious name” in a newspaper before registering your Florida Doing Business As name. The notice has to be published once in a local newspaper at the principal location of the business.

The “legal notice of intent to file a DBA” must state:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the trade or fictitious name of [Your DBA Name Here] intends to file or 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].

Some basic requirements for the newspaper include:

At least 25% of the published words must be written in English.
The publication should be printed or published at least once a week.
The publication must be permitted as a periodical in the post office in the county where it is published and should be made available and appealed to the public.
The publication should have completed a 1 year cycle.
If you are publishing in a county without a newspaper, refer to Chapter 50 of the Florida statutes.
If you are publishing online, see Chapter 50 of the Florida statutes.

Proof of Publication

When you file the Florida Application for Registration of Trade Name form, you are attesting to the following:

“I 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.”

You have to publish before registering a Doing Business As name in Florida.

#3 Register Your DBA Florida

The Florida fictitious name can be filed online or through mail to the Secretary of State. The online filing can be done at the SunBiz Fictitious Name Portal or you can complete the Application for Registration of Fictitious Name.

Important sections in the form include:

Section 1- Mention new trade name, business address, principal location of business, and FEIN (EIN) where applicable.

Section 4- This section is used to cancel, change a registration, or change the name of registration (this can be done on the application for registration of a fictitious name form and not online).

Bottom of the Form- You choose to receive a “Certificate of Status” or “Certified Copy” for your trade name.

Cost of Filing:

$50 Processing Fee

$10 Certificate of Status

$30 Certified Copy

Office Address:

Division of Corporations

Clifton Building

2661 Executive Center Circle

Tallahassee, FL 32301.

Mailing Address:

Fictitious Name Registration

P.O. Box 6327

Tallahassee, FL 32314.

Manage Florida Fictitious Name

General Questions-

Contact the Florida Secretary of State: (850) 245-6059

Tax consideration-

Getting a Doing Business As name doesn’t change the way your company is taxed.

Renew Business Trade name with the State-

Florida DBA must be renewed by December 31st of the fifth year of registration. It can be renewed on the Sunbiz DBA Portal or by mailing the Application for Renewal of Fictitious Name. The Mailing address is given below:

Fictitious Name Renewal

Division of Corporations

P.O. Box 6327

Tallahassee, FL 32314.

Change the Fictitious Name:

You should complete section 4 of the Registration of a Fictitious Name form to make changes to your DBA name. The name change mailing address is given below-

Fictitious Name Registration

P.O. Box 6327

Tallahassee, FL 32314.

Withdraw the Fictitious Name

Complete section 4 of the Registration of a Fictitious Name form to either cancel or withdraw the name. You can include and update the business address if it’s not valid. The form should be sent to the address given below:

Fictitious Name Registration

P.O. Box 6327

Tallahassee, FL 32314.

After Filing the Florida DBA

You should consider the following steps before starting your business in Florida.
- Create a Business Website:
Every business needs a website, and making one is not a tough job anymore because of drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix.
- Organize your Business Finances:
We suggest you separate your business finances from your personal ones. To begin with, you can open a business bank account and get a business credit card to keep your business finances separate.
- Protect the business:
Just like a Limited Liability Company protects your personal assets during a lawsuit, business assets also need protection. You should get the right business insurance to cover the losses if anything bad happens. You can start with general liability insurance.