How to File a DBA in Iowa

When you start a business in Iowa, one of the first big decisions is choosing the name your customers will know you by. Sometimes that’s the same as your legal business name, but not always. You might want a name that better reflects your brand, your products, or simply something catchier and easier to market. That’s where a DBA, or “Doing Business As” name, comes in.

A DBA in Iowa allows you to operate under a different name than your legal business entity in that state. For example, if your company is registered as “Smith Enterprises, LLC,” you could file a DBA to do business as “Smith Landscaping” or “Iowa Lawn Pros.” In Iowa, DBAs are most often called trade names, and they’re an important step for businesses that want to operate with flexibility and credibility.

Here’s what to know about filing for a fictitious name in Iowa, including the benefits, drawbacks, filing steps, costs, and legal considerations.

What is a DBA (“Doing Business As”)?

A DBA, or assumed business name, is a trade name you can legally use after registering it with the state of Iowa. It’s not a separate legal entity, but it gives your business the right to operate under a different name.

Iowa allows all types of businesses to use DBAs, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations. Sole proprietors are individuals doing business (often under their own name) without a formal legal entity, while partnerships are two or more people in business together. 

With an LLC, you may want to use a DBA to run additional brands that you don’t necessarily want tied to your original company, or you want to market as offshoots of that company. Corporations often use DBAs, too, for different divisions, services, or product lines. When you want a DBA Iowa gives you that option, but before you decide on it make sure you consider the disadvantages as well as the benefits.

Benefits of a DBA

Among the biggest value of a DBA is flexibility in branding. It lets you register a business name without creating a new entity, so if John Doe wants to operate as “Doe’s Auto Repair” instead of just under his personal name, a DBA makes that possible.

Another benefit is that there’s no Employer Identification Number (EIN) required in some cases. If you’re a sole proprietor or a single-member LLCs without employees, you don’t need an EIN to operate under a DBA. You can use your Social Security Number for tax purposes while still presenting your business under a professional name.

Filing for a DBA is less expensive and easier than forming a new LLC or corporation, making it an affordable and convenient way to operate under a different name without a lot of stress, cost, and hassle.

Disadvantages of a DBA

Just like other business decisions, a DBA in Iowa also has some downsides. For example, there’s no liability protection. Unlike an LLC or corporation, a DBA doesn’t create a separate legal entity, so your personal assets are still at risk if your business is sued or incurs debts.

It also doesn’t give you exclusive ownership of the name you choose to do business under. While your DBA must be unique within Iowa, it doesn’t provide the same nationwide protection as a trademark. Other businesses outside Iowa could still use the same name, and if those businesses are in neighboring states and you’re close to that state’s border, there could be some confusion.

Consequences for operating with a DBA without registration

In Iowa, operating under an assumed name without properly registering it is a violation of state law, and your business could face fines or legal penalties. More importantly, failure to register a DBA can prevent you from enforcing contracts, filing lawsuits, or protecting your business in court under that name. Registering properly and having a certificate of assumed or fictitious name not only ensures legal compliance, but also helps you protect your business’ future.

Tax considerations

It’s crucial to note that a DBA is not a business structure. It doesn’t affect how your business is taxed, and you’ll continue to file taxes based on your existing entity type: sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation. The DBA simply changes the name your business operates under, not its tax status.

Filing for a DBA in Iowa

It’s critical to understand what a DBA is and why it’s useful, but you also need to know how to get one. Here’s the process of filing for one in Iowa.

Name requirements

Before you can register your DBA, Iowa requires that your chosen name meet certain standards. First, it needs to be unique. In short, your DBA name must be distinguishable from other registered businesses in Iowa, and you can’t choose something that would conflict with another business.

Next, you can’t use any misleading suffixes or entity designators such as “LLC,” “Corp.,” or “Inc.” unless your business is actually registered as that type of entity. You also can’t use restricted words like “bank,” “insurance,” or “trust” unless your business is legally one of those. Having these words in your name requires approval from regulatory agencies. Similarly, words suggesting affiliation with government agencies are also prohibited.

Lastly, there can’t be any profanity or discriminatory terms in your DBA. Iowa restricts language that could be considered offensive or misleading, so think carefully about any assumed names you’re considering. While not required, you may also want to look at the URL the name would produce if you plan to create a website for it. Something that looks innocuous might not be when it doesn’t have spaces between the words.

Begin with an Iowa Assumed Name Search

The first step in filing a DBA is checking that your desired name is available. You can do this by performing an Iowa business entity search on the Iowa Secretary of State’s database. If your chosen name is already taken, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a completely different name. Conducting this search ahead of time saves you time and helps prevent rejected applications and frustration.

Steps to register your Iowa DBA

The process to register a DBA in Iowa involves three key steps.

Step 1: Download or access the Assumed Name Form

Go to the Iowa Secretary of State website and locate the Fictitious Name Resolution form. This form must be completed and submitted to register your DBA.

Step 2: Complete the form

You’ll need to provide:

• Your desired DBA name (the assumed name)
• The legal name of your business (or your personal name if a sole proprietor)
• The type of business entity (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.)
• Names and addresses of the business owners or authorized representatives

Make sure all information is accurate, as errors can delay approval.

Step 3: File your fictitious name

Once completed, the form can be submitted to the Iowa Secretary of State either online or by mail.

Filing online vs. by mail

Online filing is the fastest method, and you can do that through the Iowa Secretary of State’s Fast Track Filing system. The filing fee is $5 for online submissions.

You can also print and mail the completed form, along with the $5 filing fee, to:

• Secretary of State
• Business Services Division
• First Floor, Lucas Building
• 321 E. 12th St.
• Des Moines, IA 50319

Processing times for mailed filings are longer, so most businesses prefer the online option, but both options are valid for getting your Iowa DBA registered.

Conclusion

Filing a DBA in Iowa is a quick and inexpensive way to give your business the flexibility to operate under a different name. Whether you’re a sole proprietor wanting to separate your personal and business identity or an LLC adding new product lines under unique branding, an assumed name can be a valuable tool to help your business grow and thrive.

Just remember that, while a DBA offers branding advantages, it doesn’t provide liability protection. If shielding your personal assets is a priority, you may want to learn how to form an LLC in Iowa or corporation instead of, or in addition to, filing a DBA. That can increase your legal protections and provide a degree of separation between you and your business.

By following Iowa’s requirements, conducting a name search, and submitting your fictitious name form online or by mail, you can legally begin doing business under the name that best represents your company. That could lead to more confidence, more customers, and a higher chance of ongoing success in your business’ industry.

FAQ