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How to Get a Fictitious Name (DBA) in Florida

Home » Florida » How to Get a Fictitious Name in Florida

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

Important Note: It’s a common misconception that a Fictitious Name (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 Fictitious Name 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 Florida Fictitious 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 Florida, DBAs are referred to as “Fictitious Names”. Fictitious Names are used by all types of businesses in Florida but are most commonly used by sole proprietorships 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 Florida Fictitious Name so that they can use a more credible and brandable business name.

A Florida LLC or Corporation also can find a Fictitious Name useful to brand and differentiate their products, services, and divisions.

Who’s Required to Get a Florida Fictitious Name?

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

How to File Fictitious Name (DBA) in Florida

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 Florida Fictitious Name filing.

Step 1: Conduct a Business Name Availability Search

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

Why Having a Unique Fictitious 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 Florida Fictitious Name is that it provides you the one chance to break away from the pack.

Without the unique Fictitious 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 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 Florida Online Database:
  Verify that your desired Florida Fictitious Name is available to register and is not currently used by an existing business. You can complete this by using the Sunbiz.org Fictitious 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.


• 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 Florida Fictitious Name with the Florida Divisions of Corporations

Once you have completed all the required name availability searches and confirmed that your name can be used, it’s time to complete your Fictitious Name registration. The Florida Divisions of Corporations issues Fictitious Names in Florida.

Document and Information to complete a Florida Fictitious Name (DBA) Filing

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

• Your desired Fictitious 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

Florida Fictitious Name FAQs:

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

To get a Florida Fictitious Name (referred to as a DBA in other states), you need to pay $50 in addition to submitting your completed Fictitious Name application form.

How long does it take to get a Fictitious Name in Florida?

After submitting your Fictitious Name application and filing fee, it will take 2-3 Days to receive your approved application.

How often does a Florida Fictitious Name need to be renewed?

Once your Florida Fictitious Name filing has been approved, it needs to be renewed every every 5 years.

Can Florida Fictitious Name be filed online?

Yes, a Florida Fictitious Name can be filed online via Sunbiz.org .

How many Fictitious Name can I have in Florida?

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