Are you looking to establish a business in Oklahoma and need to get a DBA (Doing Business As) name for your venture? You’re in the right place! A DBA, also known as a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, or Assumed Name, allows you to conduct business under a name that’s different from your legal business name. This can be advantageous for branding, marketing, and overall business operations.
In Oklahoma, if you’re willing to use a different name other than the legal name for your business, you must file the DBA (Doing Business As). The public (specifically your potential customers) knows your business by its registered legal name. Instead of using your formal business name, you may use the trade name or DBA in marketing and sales to reach a wider audience.
Oklahoma, popularly known as The Sooner State, has some regulations when it comes to filing your DBA name. However, the regulations can vary depending on the type of business structure you have. In this article, I will share the basic steps to get a DBA Name in Oklahoma.
What is DBA Name in Oklahoma?
Whenever you form an LLC or any business structure, you must get a name for it. Every company has a legitimate name. For instance, a partnership or sole proprietorship might function under the legal name of the company’s owner or owners. The name specified in the Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Organization may be used by any business entity, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and others.
However, there are situations when you may decide against using your company’s registered legal name in Oklahoma. This is due to a variety of factors. For instance, the legal name of your company can be unrelated to it or no longer accurately describe it. Or perhaps you want a new name without altering your documentation for incorporation or registration.
If you intend to run your business in Oklahoma under a name other than your personal name or an existing corporate name, you must submit a DBA name with Oklahoma state regardless of the type of business entity you have incorporated as (single proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC).
No restrictions exist on how many DBA names you can use to do business. However, each DBA name must be filed with the state where you conduct business. This is necessary because the general public has a legal right to know whether a specific individual or company is operating under a name other than their legal name.
In Oklahoma, changing your business name is a risky factor. It can bring positive and negative effects on your business. Hence, before you file and change your legal business name, analyze all the risks and advantages.
–LLCBuddy Editorial Team
How to Get a DBA in Oklahoma
To get a DBA in Oklahoma, you must first check if any other business is already using the name before filing a DBA in Oklahoma. You can then submit the Oklahoma business name reservation form after it has been confirmed that no other company is already using the chosen name. You can search the Oklahoma Government Records Inquiry System and confirm that the name you chose is not already in use. However, getting a DBA is not mandatory in many states. If you open an LLC in Oklahoma, you must check with Oklahoma Secretary of State whether you need to file DBA or not.
Guideline for choosing a DBA name
You must choose a name to register, which is the crucial step. There are a few straightforward LLC name guidelines to follow (if you’re forming an LLC) while choosing a name in Oklahoma.
- In Oklahoma, fictional names cannot be the same or similar to one another. A DBA cannot deceive the public by appearing to be confusingly similar to any other business name.
- Unless the company has been incorporated as an LLC or corporation, a DBA name cannot contain a corporate indication, such as Corp or LLC, or any other words that imply an entity type. This will stop a lone proprietor from passing for a legitimate corporation.
- Any banking-related words without a letter from the Oklahoma Banking Commissioner’s Office, or any insurance-related words without a letter from the Oklahoma Oklahoma Insurance Department.
- Any words that could confuse your corporation with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- A professional designation in the name (i.e., engineering, attorney) without a copy of the license of one officer/member or a letter from the governing agency allowing the use of the name without licensing.
- Any words that indicate or imply that the corporation is engaged in a business that is not authorized by law to pursue.
How Can You Tell if a DBA Name in Oklahoma is available?
Once you have selected a name that complies with the requirements mentioned above, there are a number of methods you can use to find out if the name is open for registration. One simple strategy is to look up other companies in Oklahoma with the same name on Google.
It is a simple technique to clear out any already taken names, even though it may not guarantee that the name you want to register is accessible. As it is likely that you will require a website domain that matches your business name, you may also check to see whether the web domain for that name is accessible. For example, you can check Oklahoma LLC name search guide to see how you can find the availability of your desired LLC name in Oklahoma.
Before you may register your Trade Name in Oklahoma, you must have used it for business purposes. Therefore, you must use a Trade Name as soon as possible if you want to register and protect it in Oklahoma.
Register the Oklahoma DBA Name
Once you have established that the name is available for registration, you must finish the file using the forms your county has provided. You must register your DBA name in the county where you intend to conduct business. In most Oklahoma counties, the following fundamental information is needed-
- Name of the company, its phone number, city, state, and street address
- The organization type under which the business is incorporated
- List the partners’ names and addresses (if applicable)
- Describe the items, services, or business that will be delivered under the Fictitious Name in the registration form
- Use of the Fictitious Name in the marketplace
- Both the classification type and number
- Make a mark (pick Trade Name)
- Date and state of the first use of the trade name
- When the Trade Name first appeared in Oklahoma
- Application’s name, title, signature, and date Email address
Submitting the Oklahoma DBA Name Application
To file the Oklahoma DBA Name, you must apply to the Oklahoma Secretary of State. In Oklahoma, you can file the DBA name in two methods, by mail and in person.. The cost of filing the Fictitious Name (DBA name) in Oklahoma is $25.
- Online filing: There is no online filing available
- Offline filing: For filing offline, you must send the accomplished DBA filing form to the Oklahoma Secretary of State, 421 N.W. 13th Street, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 or drop it off in person at the same address.
Using the Oklahoma Trade Name
Three “specimens” demonstrating the Trade Name used must be submitted to Oklahoma Secretary of State. The following are some instances of acceptable specimens:
- Business cards
- Booklets,
- Flyers,
- Labels, and
- Stickers
How to Renew a Trade Name in Oklahoma
You can renew your DBA name after a stipulated time. In most states, the renewal of the DBA name follows the same process as filing a fresh DBA name. You need to get the DBA renewal form, fill it up with the correct information, and submit it to the state online or offline. The renew time for DBA name filing is Indefinite in Oklahoma.
How to Change a Trade Name
You can change your Trade Name (DBA or Fictitious Name) by applying to the Oklahoma SOS. The process is similar. You can search for the name you want to have after changing the old Trade Name. If the name is available, make sure it follows other guidelines. You can reserve your DBA name for Indefinite; after then, you can change or renew your DBA if needed through the Oklahoma SOS.
FAQs
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Why Oklahoma DBA Filing is So Important
First and foremost, filing for a DBA in Oklahoma can help protect your business name. When you register a DBA, you are essentially declaring to the public that you are conducting business under a name that is different from the legal name of your company. This is especially important if you want to operate under a name that is memorable, catchy, and distinguishes you from competitors. By registering a DBA, you can ensure that no one else can use your business name, thereby safeguarding your brand identity and reputation.
Moreover, a DBA filing in Oklahoma can lend legitimacy to your business. Customers are more likely to trust and engage with a business that operates under a registered name rather than a generic or unrecognizable one. By having a DBA, you are signaling to your customers, creditors, and suppliers that your business is credible and committed to its operations. This can go a long way in fostering trust, building relationships, and attracting new opportunities for growth and expansion.
In addition, filing for a DBA can simplify the process of opening a business bank account. Many financial institutions require a DBA certificate in order to open a bank account in the name of a business. By having a formal DBA registration, you can streamline this process and avoid any delays or complications that may arise from not having one. Furthermore, having a dedicated business bank account can help you manage your finances more efficiently, track expenses accurately, and establish a clear separation between your personal and business finances.
Another key benefit of filing for a DBA in Oklahoma is that it can enable you to operate multiple businesses under a single entity. For entrepreneurs who have multiple business ventures or operate in different industries, a DBA can be a cost-effective and convenient way to distinguish between each business without having to create separate legal entities for each one. This can save time, money, and resources that would otherwise be spent on establishing and maintaining separate entities for each business.
Overall, the importance of filing for a DBA in Oklahoma cannot be overstated. From protecting your business name and brand to enhancing its credibility and facilitating financial transactions, a DBA filing is a critical step in the journey of any business. So, if you are starting a new business or looking to rebrand an existing one, make sure to prioritize filing for a DBA and reap the many benefits that come with it.
In Conclusion
A DBA name in Oklahoma is the best way to update your business name. Unlike the registered legal business name, you can have as many as DBA names. You can use your new assumed name as soon as the state has processed your filing, and getting one is a rather simple process. Whether you have an LLC or any other business structure, filing a DBA name is helpful for your business upgradation anytime.