Last Updated: August 6, 2024 by TRUiC Team


How to File a DBA in Oklahoma

Registering a DBA, known in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma

Register an Oklahoma Trade Name

Registering an Oklahoma trade name or assumed name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

Oklahoma trade names must be unique and must also meet Oklahoma’s business name requirements. 

First, visit the Oklahoma Business Name Search website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn’t already in use.

Next, review the Oklahoma naming requirements. In Oklahoma, trade names should NOT include:

  • Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
  • The words savings & loan, building & loan, savings association, and savings bank without approval.
  • Words that could confuse your company with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).

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

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 Oklahoma DBA

Your Oklahoma trade name can be filed online or by mail with the Secretary of State. You can file online with the Secretary of State’s website or you can complete the Trade Name Report form.

Some important sections of the form include:

  • Section 1: Trade name being registered
  • Section 3: Description of the business
  • Section 5: Type of business entity

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

File an Oklahoma Trade Name

Option 1: File Online With the Secretary of State

File Online

– OR –

Option 2: File the Trade Name Report by Mail

Download Form

Cost:
$25 Filing Fee

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma Secretary of State
421 N.W. 13th St., Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Manage Your Oklahoma Trade Name

General Questions
Call the Oklahoma Secretary of State: (405) 522-2520

Renew Your Trade Name with the State
Your Oklahoma trade name does not need to be renewed.

Change Your Trade Name
You cannot change the name of your trade name without registering for a new one. To make other changes to your trade name registration, complete the Amended Trade Name Report form. The fee is $25. You can file the form online or mail it to the address below:

Oklahoma Secretary of State
421 N.W. 13th St., Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Withdraw Your Trade Name
You can cancel your trade name by filing a Withdrawal of Trade Name Report form. The fee is $25. You can either file the form online or mail it to the address below:

Oklahoma Secretary of State
421 N.W. 13th St., Suite 210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103

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After Filing Your Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.