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How to Get a Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) in Nevada

Home » Nevada » How to File a Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) in Nevada

If you’re starting a business in Nevada and plan to operate under a name that’s different from your legal business name, you’ll need to file for a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name, also known as a DBA (“doing business as”) name. In this guide, we’ll go over what a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) is, who’s required to get one, and the step-by-step process to file for your Fictitious Firm Name.

Important Note: It’s a common misconception that a DBA is a type of business structure. However, this is not accurate – A DBA is simply a registration to use a name different from your legal business name. Since a DBA is not a separate legal entity, it does not provide limited liability protection for business owners or taxation flexibility, as an LLC does. If you want to know more about the differences between the two, visit our DBA vs LLC guide to learn more.

What is a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA)?

DBA is an acronym for “Doing Business As” and refers to a filing that allows a business to operate under a different name from its legal name. In Nevada DBAs are referred to as a Fictitious Firm Name. Fictitious Firm Names are used by all types of businesses in Nevada but are most commonly used by sole proprietors and partnerships.

Sole proprietorships and partnerships are informal business structures that don’t require legal formation paperwork to get started. As a result, their legal names are either their personal name (for sole proprietors) or must include the partners’ last names (for partnerships). As a result, most sole proprietors and partnerships opt to file a Nevada DBA name so that they can use a more credible and brandable business name.

A Nevada LLC or Corporation can also find a Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) useful to brand and differentiate their products, services, and divisions.

Who’s Required to Get a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name?

Any business that will operate under any name that is different from their legal name must file for a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name.

How to File Fictitious Firm Name in Nevada

The first step is to develop a business name that is unique, memorable, and easy to find in a web search. For some helpful hints and guidance on making sure your DBA name is as good as it can be, check out our useful guide, How to Come Up with a Business Name.

Once you have determined what you’d like to use as your business name, follow these steps to complete your Nevada Fictitious Firm Name filing.

Step 1: Conduct a Business Name Availability Search

To get a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA), you want to start with a business name availability search. To increase the likelihood that your FFN application will be accepted, you will need to ensure that no other business uses the name that you wish to use and that your business name is unique.

Why Having a Unique Fictitious Firm Name is Important

Your business name is the foundation of your strategic marketing strategy. Choosing a name similar to other businesses can get you lost in the white noise of competition. One massive benefit of a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name is that it provides you the one chance to break away from the pack.

Without a unique name, you could be handicapping the best marketing and sales efforts to get your name out there. Worse yet, you could be sending business to others using a similar name.

To recap, we suggest that you do an extensive search to ensure the following:

• The Fictitious Firm Name is not currently in use nor too similar to other businesses
• The business name has never been used previously

Note: If the business name is available and has been used before, it is probably not all that unique. Also, the fact that the name is no longer in use could imply a lack of success on the part of the previous owners.

Searches to Complete

• Search the Nevada Online Database:
  Verify that your desired Nevada Fictitious Firm Name is available to register and is not currently used by an existing business. You can complete this by using the Nevada SilverFlume Business Name Search


• Check the US Patent and Trademark System:
  Once you have verified that your name is available for registration, you’ll also want to ensure that the name is not trademarked. Since the trademark process is at the federal level, it supersedes any level registrations. You can use the USPTO Search Tool here.


• Website Domain Search:
  You will also want to complete a domain name search to check if the .com version of your business name is available. If you don’t plan to create a business website, you should still consider registering the domain name to prevent others from using it. Since you can register a new .com domain for less than $10 with namecheap, it can serve as a very cheap form of insurance against someone using the domain.

Step 2: File and Register the Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) with your County Clerk’s Office

Once you have completed all the required name availability searches and confirmed that your name can be used, it’s time to complete your Nevada Fictitious Firm Name registration. County Clerk offices issue Fictitious Firm Names in Nevada.

Document and Information to complete a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name Filing

To complete your Fictitious Firm Name filing, you’ll need the following information:

• Your desired Name
• Name of the business owner, which can be a person or a legal entity
• Date when you started or formed your business
• Description of the nature of your business, including services and value
• A signature of a notary to authenticate the registration

Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) FAQs:

How much does it cost to get a Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) in Nevada?

To get a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA), you need to pay $20-$25 (price varies by county) in addition to submitting your completed application form.

How often does a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name need to be renewed?

Once your Nevada Fictitious Firm Name filing has been approved, it needs to be renewed every 5 years in most counties. Fictitious Firm Name filings in Carson City, Lander County, Lyon County, and Pershing County have no expiration date.

How many Fictitious Firm Names can I have in Nevada?

You can file for as many Fictitious Firm Names as you need – there is no limit to the number of DBAs you can be issued.