How to File a DBA in Washington
In Washington a DBA is a trade name registered statewide with the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service for a $5 fee. No newspaper publication. Attorney review available.
Find out where you stand in Washington
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Introduction
In Washington, a DBA is registered as a trade name, the public filing that lets a person or business use a name different from the owner's legal name. Washington does not file DBAs with a county clerk. You register the trade name statewide with the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service as part of the Business License Application (RCW 19.80.010). The fee is $5 for each trade name registered, plus the non-refundable Business License Application processing fee. A sole proprietor or partnership must register when it does business under a name other than the full legal name of the owner or owners. Registering a trade name does not create a corporation or an LLC, does not shield the owner from liability, and does not give a trademark or an exclusive right to the name. Unlike some states, Washington requires no newspaper publication of a trade name, so there is no notice to publish and no proof of publication to file. A Washington trade name remains registered indefinitely until the owner requests that it be canceled, and there is no charge to cancel it. Any renewal occurs with the annual business license renewal and no more often than annually, so keeping the business license active keeps the trade name in place (RCW 19.80.080). DocDraft builds your Washington trade name registration from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
- 1
In Washington a DBA is a trade name added to your state business license through the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service for $5. It lets you use a business name different from your legal name and creates no separate legal entity.
- 2
You register a trade name statewide with the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service as part of the Business License Application (RCW 19.80.010). Washington has no county DBA filing.
- 3
The fee is $5 for each trade name registered, plus the non-refundable Business License Application processing fee set by the Business Licensing Service.
- 4
A sole proprietor or partnership must register a trade name when it does business under a name other than the full legal name of the owner or owners.
- 5
Washington requires no newspaper publication of a trade name. There is no notice to publish and no proof of publication to file, unlike some other states.
- 6
A Washington trade name remains registered indefinitely until the owner requests that it be canceled, and there is no charge to cancel. Any renewal occurs with the annual business license renewal (RCW 19.80.080).
- 7
A trade name does not give you any ownership of or exclusive right to the name, and it does not limit your liability. A sole proprietor with a trade name is still personally responsible for the business.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a DBA (Doing Business As) in Washington, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The DBA (Doing Business As) guide walks through them.
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Washington Requirements for DBA (Doing Business As)
Register With the Business Licensing Service
In Washington a DBA is a trade name registered statewide with the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service as part of the Business License Application, not with a county clerk (RCW 19.80.010). Washington has no county DBA filing.
Statewide 5 Dollar Fee
The fee is 5 dollars for each trade name registered, plus the non-refundable Business License Application processing fee set by the Business Licensing Service. Each additional trade name on the same account costs another 5 dollars.
The Trade Name
The exact trade name to register. It must not include a word such as Corporation, Incorporated, LLC, or Limited unless the registrant is that type of entity, and a filing is required when a sole proprietor or partnership uses a name other than the full legal name of the owners.
Registrant and Owners
The full legal name and type of the registrant and the name of each owner who will use the trade name. For a general partnership, every partner is listed on the Business License Application.
Unified Business Identifier
The Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number for the business, or an application for one with the same Business License Application. The trade name is tied to this UBI account with the Department of Revenue.
No Newspaper Publication
Washington does not require publication of a trade name in a newspaper. There is no notice to publish and no proof of publication to file, unlike some other states.
Indefinite Term, Renews With License
A Washington trade name remains registered indefinitely until the owner requests that it be canceled, and there is no charge to cancel. Any renewal occurs with the annual business license renewal and no more often than annually (RCW 19.80.080).
No Entity, No Trademark, No Liability Shield
A Washington trade name is only a name registration. It creates no separate legal entity, gives no exclusive right or trademark in the name, and does not limit the personal liability of a sole proprietor or general partner.