D.B.A. Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term D.B.A..

D.B.A. (abbreviation):

"D.B.A." stands for "doing business as". It is used when a person or an entity is operating a business under a different name rather than their own. For instance, if John Smith operates a restaurant called "Tasty Treats", John Smith is "doing business as" Tasty Treats. Typically, a certificate proving that one is "doing business under a fictitious name" must be filed with a state or local governmental authority such as the County Clerk or the state Secretary of State. An exception might be when the owner's actual name is part of the business name and it cannot easily be confused with a different business name.