How to file a DBA in Georgia
By Bazal Razzaq
Chief Editor
Updated: November 09, 2023
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Are you looking to file a DBA in Georgia to establish your business branding? If yes, then you have come to the right place. We have compiled a step-by-step guide on how to register a DBA in Georgia or you can use a trusted DBA service.
Registration of DBA in Georgia
Registering a DBA in Georgia is very simple. Read the steps given below:
#1 Start with a Georgia Trade Name Search
The Georgia Doing Business As/trade name should be unique and must fulfill all the basic naming requirements. Before you file the trade name you must search state records and county records to ensure the name isn’t already taken. We have provided the contact information for all the county offices in Step 2. You should also look into the state naming rules to avoid any confusion.
The DBA in Georgia shouldn’t include the following:
- Business entity suffixes such as LLC, Corp, Incorporated, etc.
- Words like bank, banc, Banque, banker, banking company, banking house, Bancorp, bankruptcy, savings & loan, trust, or trust company, and credit union without the consent of the Department of Banking and Finance.
- The words like “college” or “university” without consent from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.
- The language that conveys the company is set up for an unlawful purpose.
- Indecent Language.
- Words like insurance, assurance, reinsurance, reassurance, assurance, surety, or indemnity without consent from the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
To dive deep into the naming rules in Georgia, read Georgia’s Name Availability Standards. We suggest you check if your name is available as a web domain (URL). Even though you don’t want to start a business today, you can prevent others from acquiring the URL.
Also, if you haven’t come up with a trade name yet, use a free business name generator. You can also create a logo to promote your brand with the help of a free logo generator.
#2 Use Your Georgia DBA
Georgia trade names are filed with the county where the place of business is located.
File a DBA with the County Clerk
Since the “Doing Business As” name is managed by the state of Georgia, it means the DBA will be similar across all counties. We will provide a step by step guide to get a Fulton County trade name. If you want to file in a different county then contact the county clerk given below for further instructions.
- Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court (instructions are given below)
- Gwinnett County Clerk of Superior Court
- Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court
- DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court
You can visit the Georgia Superior Court website for contact information.
#3 How to File a Fulton County DBA
Before you plan to file a ‘Doing Business As’ name, it will be good to use the State of Georgia’s trade name search to ensure your business name is unique.
The business trade name can be filed by mail or in person. The completed form should be notarized.
Filing Cost:
$172 Filing Fee
Mail Filing Address:
Clerk of Superior Court
Attention: Recording Division
136 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303.
Register your DBA in Georgia
The state of Georgia requires you to publish notice of your trade name registration with a paper in the county once a week for two weeks at least. For questions regarding the publication in Fulton County, you can reach out to the Fulton County Daily Report at (404) 521-1227.
#4 Manage Your Fulton County DBA
- General Questions- Contact the Clerk for Superior Court at (404) 613-5371 for general questions about Fulton County trade names.
- Renew Your Fulton County DBA- There is no need to review the Fulton County trade name.
- Change Your Fulton County DBA Name- To change your trade name, you must fill out a new registration form with the appropriate amendments. It costs $174 ($172 plus a $2 cross-referencing fee).
- Withdraw Your Fulton County DBA- To withdraw your fictitious name in Fulton County, fill out the Affidavit to Cancel Registered Trade Name form and submit it to the Clerk of Superior Court. The fee is $174 ($172 plus a $2 cross-referencing fee).
#5 After Filing Your Georgia DBA
There are a few more steps you should take before starting your business journey.
- Create a website for your business- Every business requires a website. The drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix have made the job easy.
- Keep your Business Finances in Order– You must separate your business and personal finances. It can be done by opening a business bank account and getting a credit card.
- Protect Your Business – An LLC protects your business in case of a lawsuit, your business assets also need some protection. You can start with general liability insurance which will cover the basic needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can have as many ‘Doing Business As’ names as you can build and manage. Each DBA comes with an extra cost and involves additional paperwork.
DBAs are not supposed to have an EIN as it is not a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is under would have an EIN if it were compulsory.
A DBA has Inc. in the name if it is attached to a corporation.
Some state laws prevent similar-looking DBAs from being used. You can trademark a DBA, to provide stronger protection.