What's a DBA certificate and why do I need one?
A DBA (Doing Business As) certificate is an official record that shows your business is operating under a name different from its legal name. A DBA certificate is also known as a fictitious name certificate or assumed name registration.
Financial institutions, including Adro, often require a DBA certificate when you’re opening a business bank account under a name that doesn’t match your personal or legal business name. It helps to verify your business identity and ensures you can accept payments under your chosen business name.
You don’t need a DBA certificate if your business name matches your legal name or registered entity name.
How do I get a DBA certificate?
You can get a DBA certificate by registering your business name in a US state, usually through the Secretary of State's office. If you're doing this through a registered agent, ask your agent for the DBA certificate.
Before registering, you’ll need to:
Search your desired business name to ensure it’s available
Complete the required forms
Pay a filing fee (typically under $100, depending on what state you choose
What information is in a DBA certificate?
Registered DBA Name: The name your business is operating under
Legal Name of the Business Owner or Entity: This could be your personal name (for sole proprietors) or the name of your LLC or corporation
Business Address: The physical or mailing address associated with the business
Type of Business Structure: Indicates whether the business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation
Date of Registration: When the DBA was officially filed and approved
Registration Number or File Number: A unique identifier assigned by the registering authority
Expiration or Renewal Date: Some states require DBAs to be renewed every few years
Issuing Authority: The government office that processed the registration, which is often the county clerk or Secretary of State.
Other tips
Keep your DBA certificate in a safe place. You may need it for future transactions, account signups or renewals.
Renew your DBA as required by your state (typically every 1 to 3 years)
Use your DBA name consistently on checks, invoices and contracts to maintain professionalism and consistency