For nearly a decade, Toni Matthews-El has published business topics ranging from cloud communication software to best steps for establishing your own LLC. In addition to Forbes Advisor, she's published articles for Medical News Today, US News and Wor.
Toni Matthews-El Staff ReviewerFor nearly a decade, Toni Matthews-El has published business topics ranging from cloud communication software to best steps for establishing your own LLC. In addition to Forbes Advisor, she's published articles for Medical News Today, US News and Wor.
Written By Toni Matthews-El Staff ReviewerFor nearly a decade, Toni Matthews-El has published business topics ranging from cloud communication software to best steps for establishing your own LLC. In addition to Forbes Advisor, she's published articles for Medical News Today, US News and Wor.
Toni Matthews-El Staff ReviewerFor nearly a decade, Toni Matthews-El has published business topics ranging from cloud communication software to best steps for establishing your own LLC. In addition to Forbes Advisor, she's published articles for Medical News Today, US News and Wor.
Staff Reviewer Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Written By Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Kelly Main Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist c.
Staff Reviewer Jane Haskins, J.D. contributorJane Haskins practiced law for 20 years, representing small businesses in startup, dissolution, business transactions and litigation. She has written hundreds of articles on legal, intellectual property and tax issues affecting small businesses.
Jane Haskins, J.D. contributorJane Haskins practiced law for 20 years, representing small businesses in startup, dissolution, business transactions and litigation. She has written hundreds of articles on legal, intellectual property and tax issues affecting small businesses.
Jane Haskins, J.D. contributorJane Haskins practiced law for 20 years, representing small businesses in startup, dissolution, business transactions and litigation. She has written hundreds of articles on legal, intellectual property and tax issues affecting small businesses.
Jane Haskins, J.D. contributorJane Haskins practiced law for 20 years, representing small businesses in startup, dissolution, business transactions and litigation. She has written hundreds of articles on legal, intellectual property and tax issues affecting small businesses.
Updated: Jun 10, 2024, 11:51am
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Whether you want a new alias for your LLC (limited liability company) or you’re a sole proprietor with a catchy business name, you’ll need to register a DBA, or “doing business as” name. Fortunately, getting a DBA in Illinois is relatively easy and affordable. If you need a little help with the process, please read our helpful guide on how to register a DBA in Illinois.
You must register a DBA if you’re doing business under a name other than your official business name. For example, if you own “Food and Drink, LLC” and you want to open a diner called “Burger Heaven,” you’ll need a DBA for the restaurant name. If your business is a sole proprietorship or partnership, you must register a DBA if you’re using any name other than the owners’ names. For example, if you do lawn care under your name, Joe Jones, you don’t need a DBA. But if you call your business Joe Mows, you do.
Corporations and LLCs register their DBAs with the Illinois Secretary of State, while sole proprietorships, partnerships and professional corporations register with their county clerk. Before registering your DBA, make sure you’re following the correct procedure for the type of business you have.
The procedure for registering your DBA will depend on the type of business you have. Below are the procedures for filing at both the state and the county levels.
LLCs or corporations hoping to register a DBA can do so through the Secretary of State’s office. You do not need to register a DBA unless you’re using a business name that’s different from the name on your official business formation certificate.
LLC and corporate DBA names must be distinguishable from other business names registered with the Secretary of State. Before filing an assumed name application, check that your desired name is available by visiting the Secretary of State’s website to search business names.
You can complete the DBA registration process online, or by filling out a form and submitting it by mail or in person. The assumed name is effective on the date of filing by the Secretary of State. It expires on the first day of the anniversary month of your filing date, in the next year that is evenly divisible by five. After that, the DBA can be renewed in five-year increments.
The fee for a five-year DBA registration or renewal is $150. The registration fee is prorated if your initial registration will expire in less than five years. For example, if you register a DBA in 2023, it will expire in 2027 and your registration fee will be $90.
For additional information, you should contact the Secretary of State’s Business Service office.
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Sole proprietorships, general partnerships and professional service corporations must register their assumed names through their county clerk’s office. In Cook County, you can register online or download and complete the form. For off-line submission, remember to have your form notarized. If your business is located in a county other than Cook, contact your county clerk’s office for information about forms and procedures.
Within 15 days of filing a county DBA application, you must run an ad in a local newspaper stating that you have registered your DBA. You must run the ad once a week for three weeks. After that period ends, you’ll receive a certificate of publication from the newspaper. Submit this with an original clipping of the ad within 50 days of your original application. Once that’s done, you’ll receive your assumed business name certificate.
The fee for filing an assumed business name in Cook County is $50. Fees may differ in other counties.
It is possible to register and own more than one DBA. There is no limit on how many DBAs you can own, as long as you follow the process and pay the necessary fees.
After successfully filing to get a DBA, there are additional steps to take, from renewing your assumed name to making sure you cancel any DBAs you’re not using anymore. Read on to learn what to do to maintain your Illinois DBA.
If you registered a corporation’s or LLC’s DBA with the Secretary of State, it will come up for renewal in the next year ending in “0” or “5.” Be sure to renew before the first day of the anniversary month of your DBA filing. Late renewals pay a $100 penalty, and after 60 days you’ll lose the right to use your assumed business name.
For LLCs and corporations wishing to change a DBA, the fee is $25; cancellation is $5. If you registered a DBA with your county, you’ll need to file an amendment if the DBA’s business address, nature of its business or owners change, or if you want to cancel the DBA. In Cook County, the fee for filing this form online or by mail is $25. Other counties may have their own forms and fees.
While DBAs let you operate legally using a pseudonym, they are not a separate business entity. There are certain protections that a DBA does not offer that a limited liability company might. For instance, LLCs offer owners some liability shielding of personal assets in the event of a lawsuit or other financial obligations. This can be especially important if you have business partners or employees. LLCs can also have tax advantages, depending on your situation.
If you are just in need of an additional assumed name as a sole proprietor, then a DBA is probably good enough. But if you have additional needs, an LLC could be a better alternative.
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A DBA, or doing business as, is a trade, fictitious or alternate name used by individuals or businesses who wish to legally operate under a different identity than their own name or their formal business name. Learn more about registering as a DBA.
While a DBA grants you the ability to legally operate under a trade name, it does not provide the same scope of protection as an LLC. A sole proprietor or general partner is fully liable for the business’s debts and obligations. Owners of an LLC may lose the money they have invested in the business, but they are not personally liable if the business is sued.
You do not need a registered agent for a DBA. However, if you have a formal business entity such as a corporation or an LLC, you will need a registered agent for your business. Learn more about the best Illinois registered agent services for small businesses.
If you registered a DBA with the Secretary of State, renew it by the first day of the anniversary month of registration to keep it in good standing.
The rules regarding how long a DBA lasts vary by state, so you should check with your state’s secretary of state or the agency with which you filed the DBA to see if a renewal is necessary and when it is due. In some states, such as New York there is no need to renew a DBA but other states have limits. In many states, you have five years before you need to renew or extend your DBA.
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Staff ReviewerFor nearly a decade, Toni Matthews-El has published business topics ranging from cloud communication software to best steps for establishing your own LLC. In addition to Forbes Advisor, she's published articles for Medical News Today, US News and World Report.
Staff ReviewerKelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
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