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You might think that the name of a company is its most important asset and this couldn’t be farther from the truth. A DBA or fictitious business name allows businesses to use a unique and different name for their business. So register for Iowa DBA using this guide.
Important! Please keep in mind that DBA is not a business structure, so it won’t protect you from liabilities, lawsuits, or any other unforeseen situations. DBA stands for Doing Business As. – often precedes the name under which a business operates, which is not the legal name of the business.
Therefore, before starting, make sure you understand the difference between informal business structures such as sole proprietorship and formal ones like corporations and LLCs.
To register or renew the trademark, trade name, or service mark for your company in Iowa you need to file the application to the Secretary of State. Here is what you need to do:
Iowa Business Entity Search
Your company’s trade name should be unique and have not been acquired by any other entity in Iowa. Moreover, this name must also meet the business name requirements of Iowa.
First, you have to search Iowa Secretary of State’s records for the DBA, Business, & Fictitious names to know whether the name that you wish to have for your business has already been taken by someone or not. Here, make sure, this name isn’t already in use.
Note: You can also find a complete guide on business name search here.
Once you are done searching, the next step is to review the naming requirements of the state of Iowa for LLCs and corporations. To highlight some:
- Words that are commonly used by a government agency such as Treasury, FBI, State Department, etc.
- Certain words such as Bank, University, Attorney, etc may require additional paperwork and business should belong to a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer.
Register Your Iowa DBA
Businesses That Register DBA With County’s Clerk
Iowa sole proprietors and partnerships are required to file an assumed business name application with the county clerk’s office(s) where the business is conducted or business orders are transacted.
Iowa state association of counties recorders helps you find your county clerk’s contact information.
Businesses that Register DBA with the Secretary Of State ($5)
The following businesses need to register their trade names with the Iowa Secretary of State:
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- For-profit Corporations
- Nonprofit Corporations
- Any Foreign Filing Entities
- Professional Associations
- Professional Corporations
- Limited Partnerships (LPs)
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
File an Iowa DBA Online with Iowa fast track filing or download the LLC Assumed Name Application and send it to:
DBA Filing Address:
Secretary of State
Business Services Division
Lucas Building, 1st Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
Top Tip:
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The following information must include in the Iowa trade name form:
- Your business name and adress
- Owners/partners of the business and addresses
- Entity type (eg; LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation)
- Trade name’s description
- Date formed
Renew, Change or Withdraw Your Iowa DBA
Renew Your Fictitious Name With the State
Certificate of Iowa Assumed Business Name does not expire. So there is no need for the renewal of DBA in Iowa.
Change or Withdraw Your Fictitious Name
If you wish to make changes or withdraw your Iowa assumed business name, Call the Iowa Secretary of State: (515) 281-5204.
