Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 12:14 pm by TRUiC Team

How to File a DBA in South Dakota

Registering a DBA, in South Dakota will establish your business’s branding. DBAs are a simple way to start growing your business.

We’ll show you how to register a South Dakota 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 South Dakota

Register a DBA in South Dakota

Registering a South Dakota DBA - business name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

When you register your South Dakota DBA - business name, you are essentially letting other business owners know that the name is in use. Your trade name isn’t protected from being used by others.

The next step is to check to see if your South Dakota trade name is unique and also meets South Dakota’s business name requirements. Visit the South Dakota Secretary of State's DBA - Business Name search website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn’t already in use.

Next, review the South Dakota naming requirements. In South Dakota, DBA - business names should NOT include:

  • Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.
  • Any words that imply that the corporation was organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Incorporation.

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 South Dakota DBA

Your South Dakota DBA - business name can be filed online with the Secretary of State.

The following information is needed on the form:

  • Your business’s Secretary of State ID
  • Name and address of the business’s owner

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

File a South Dakota DBA - Business Name

File Online With the South Dakota Secretary of State

File Online

Cost:
$10 Filing Fee

Manage Your South Dakota DBA - Business Name

General Questions
Call the South Dakota Secretary of State: (605) 773-4845

Renew Your DBA - Business Name With the State
South Dakota business names need to be renewed every five years. The fee is $10, and you can renew online.

Change Your DBA - Business Name
To change the name of your DBA, you must register for a new one. To make changes to an address or ownership, you can fill out the DBA - Business Name Amendment form online. The fee is $10.

Withdraw Your DBA - Business Name
You can cancel your South Dakota business name online. There is no fee.

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After Filing Your South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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.