Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 12:13 pm by TRUiC Team

How to File a DBA in Arizona

Registering a DBA, known in Arizona as a trade name, will establish your business’s branding. DBAs are a simple way to start growing your business.

We’ll show you how to register an Arizona DBA below.

Or, you can save time and use a trusted DBA service.

Recommended: Register your DBA and establish your brand with LegalZoom. Packages start at $99 (plus state filing fees).

Learn how to file a DBA Arizona

Register an Arizona Trade Name

Registering an Arizona trade name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

Your Arizona trade name must be unique and must also meet Arizona’s business name requirements.

First, visit the Arizona Secretary of State’s website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn’t already in use.

Next, review the Arizona naming requirements. In Arizona, your trade name should NOT include the following words and phrases without approval from the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions:

  • Bank; banker; banking; banc; banco; banque; credit union; deposit; savings association; building association; savings and loan association; building and loan association; savings bank; thrift; trust; and trust company.

We recommend checking if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You might not plan on starting a business website today, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.

Find a Domain Now

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Need Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our free logo generator.

Step 2: Register Your Arizona DBA

Your Arizona trade name can be filed online with the Secretary of State.

Some important information you will need to provide includes:

  • Name and type of entity registering the trade name
  • Nature of the business

Recommended: Use a reputable service. LegalZoom offers a hassle free DBA filing package starting at $99 + State Filing Fees.

File an Arizona Trade Name

File Online on the Arizona Secretary of State’s Website

File Online

Cost:
$10 Filing Fee
$3 Duplicate certificate (optional)

Manage Your Arizona Trade Name

General Questions
Call the Arizona Secretary of State's office at (602) 542-6187 or (800) 458-5842.

Renew Your Trade Name with the State
Arizona trade name registrations are active for five years. They must be renewed online. The renewal fee is $10.

Arizona recommends that the owner renew their registration beginning six months before its expiration date. Only the current owner can renew a trade name. If the ownership has changed, the applicant must also submit an Assignment of Trade Name application. If the trade name registration has expired, the applicant must create a new online registration.

Change Your Trade Name
You need to fill out a new registration to change your trade name. To amend your trade name registration with updated information regarding addresses, ownership, etc., you must file online. The filing fee is $3.

Withdraw Your Trade Name
You can cancel your trade name online with the Secretary of State.

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After Filing Your Arizona DBA

If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journey, then there are a few more steps that you should take before getting started:

  • Create your Business’s Website - Every business needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the job quick and easy. Check out our Best Website Builder article to find the tool that’s best for you.
  • Get your Business Finances in Order - You’ll need to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business bank account. If your business has long lead times or other cash flow irregularities, you can also look into a business credit card.
  • Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit, your business’s assets also need protection. Having the right business insurance will ensure that you’re covered if the worst happens. Most businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.

DBA Arizona FAQ

You can have as many DBAs as you can afford to create and are able to keep track of. Each one comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, meaning more is not necessarily better.

DBAs aren’t required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren’t a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is under would have an EIN if an EIN is required.

To learn more about EINs and when you need one for your business, read our What is an EIN guide.

No. An LLC is a business entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business.

Sole proprietorships are often confused with DBAs, but they are not the same: a sole proprietorship is a business entity, therefore it can choose to become an LLC.

To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC state guides.

A DBA can only have Inc. in the name if the business entity the DBA is attached to is a corporation.

Holding a rental property in your name and with a DBA will not afford you any protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the event of an issue with the rental property. In any case, it is always best to consult an attorney.

Getting a DBA is often a better choice than changing your business’s legal name. If you want to rebrand your company or focus on another line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler process than filing for a legal name change.

Some state-level laws prevent DBAs that are too similar to existing ones from being used, but this varies from state to state. It is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.