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

How to File a DBA in Nevada

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

We’ll show you how to register a Nevada 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 Nevada

Register a Fictitious Firm Name in Nevada

Registering a Nevada ficticious firm name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

Registering a Nevada fictitious firm name does not give you exclusive rights to that name. However, it does put your use of the name on the record and notifies others. It is best to pick a unique name, and it must also meet Nevada’s business name requirements.

Before you file, you will need to search county records to make sure your exact name isn’t already taken. We will provide contact information for county offices in Step 2. You will also need to consider any state naming rules.

Your Nevada fictitious firm name should NOT include:

  • Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
  • Restricted words without approval:
    • You need approval from the Nevada State Board of Accounting to use the following words: accountant, accountancy, accounting, auditor, auditing, certified public accountant, and cpa.
    • You need approval from the Nevada Commissioner of Financial Institutions to use the following words: bank, banc, banque, savings & loan, banker, bancard, banq, thrift, banking, banco, bancor, trustee, interbanking, bancorp, credit union, debt collection, collection agency, or trust.
    • You need approval from the State Commissioner of Insurance to use the following words: adjuster, indemnity, reinsurance, underwriter, annuity, insurance, risk retention group, underwriting, casualty, life & accident, surety, bail, bail bonds, fugitive recovery, bail bondsman/men, bounty hunter, and bale.
    • You need approval from the Commissioner of Mortgage lending to use the following words: financial, mortgage, mortgage banking.
    • You need approval from the State Board of Professional Engineers to use the following words: engineer, engineered, engineering, professional engineer, registered engineer, and licensed engineer.
    • You need approval from the State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design to use the following words: architect, architecture, registered architect, licensed architect, registered interior designer, registered interior design, residential designer, registered residential designer, licensed residential designer, and residential design.
    • You need approval from the Administrator of the Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry to use the words: common-interest community, community association, master association, unit-owners’ association, and homeowners’ association.
    • You need approval from the Ombudsman to include the following words: common-interest community, community association, hoa, home owners association, master association, unit-owners association, and property owners.
    • You also need approval to use the following words: college, university, higher education.

You can also read the Nevada state statute about naming guidelines for more information.

Need Help Choosing a DBA Name?

If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. You can use this tool to generate both business names and domain names.

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 Nevada DBA

Nevada fictitious firm names are filed with the county or counties where your company does business.

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Filing a DBA With the County Clerk

DBA regulations are managed by the state of Nevada which means the steps for getting a DBA are similar from county to county.

We will provide step-by-step directions to create a Clark County fictitious firm name. If you need to file in a different county, contact the correct county clerk for instructions.

These links will lead you to the fictitious firm name websites for some of the more populated counties:

For a complete list of county contact information, visit the Nevada Secretary of State's website.

How to File a Clark County (Las Vegas) DBA

Fictitious firm names must be registered by mail or in person. The form must either be notarized or signed in person at the clerk’s office.

Reminder: Clark County suggests that you check their fictitious firm name records before filing to make sure your name isn’t already taken.

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

File a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name

File the Fictitious Firm Name Statement by Mail or In-Person

Download Form (all business types except Series LLCs)
Download Form (Series LLCs)

Cost:
$25 Filing Fee (includes one copy)
$6 Certification
$0.50 per Copy

Office Address:
Clark County Clerk's Office
Regional Justice Center, 5th Fl.
200 Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Mailing Address:
Clark County Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 551604
Las Vegas, NV 89155-1604

Manage Your Clark County DBA

DBA Questions
Call the Clark County Clerk’s Office at (702) 671-0500

Renew Your Clark County DBA
You are required to renew your Clark County DBA every 5 years. You use the same Fictitious Firm Name Statement as when registering, and the renewal fee is $20.

Change Your Clark County DBA
To change the name of your Clark County DBA, you will have to file a new registration. To change the address, you can fill out the Certificate of Business: Fictitious Firm Name Address Change. There is no fee for this form.

Withdraw Your Clark County DBA
You can terminate your Clark County fictitious name by filling out the Certificate of Business: Fictitious Firm Name Termination. The fee is $20.

After Filing Your Nevada 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 Nevada 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.