One of the essential steps when forming a new business in Alaska is to choose a name for your company. However, there are some cases when one name just isn’t enough. If you would like to operate under multiple business names or simply use a name that’s different from your company’s legal need, you’re going to need to file a “Doing Business As” (DBA) with the state.
The good news is that filing for a DBA in Alaska is a relatively easy and affordable process. However, it’s still important to know what you’re doing and make sure that you complete all the necessary steps correctly; as we’ll cover later in this article, operating under a different business name without properly filing for a DBA can lead to a lot of unwanted consequences.
Ready to get started choosing a new name for your company to do business under? Here’s everything you need to know about how to file a DBA in Alaska:
A DBA (also known as an “assumed name” or “fictitious name”) allows businesses to operate under a name that’s different from their legal business name. It gives you the ability to market your company, invoice customers, open a business bank account, and perform all other business activities under the new name while still being able to use your original business name as well.
There are a lot of different reasons why a business might want to file for a DBA. Many times, companies in Alaska file for a DBA when they are expanding into new markets or product lines. For example, if a restaurant named “Joe and Sammy’s Seafood” wants to start offering catering services, they could file a DBA to operate under the name “Joe and Sammy’s Catering” so that the name better reflects their new services.
Other times, businesses use DBAs for rebranding purposes or to appeal to a specific market segment. For instance, a landscaping company named “Green Earth Landscaping LLC” that operates in multiple cities across Alaska might decide to file DBAs so they can use a different name in each city. Using a name like “Anchorage Landscaping Pros” at the company’s Anchorage location, for example, could help it create more local appeal.
DBAs can be utilized by all types of businesses, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations.
The primary benefit of a DBA is that it allows a business to create a new public identity without having to change the structure of the company. As we’ve already discussed, this can be advantageous in a range of scenarios when it comes to marketing and building a brand identity.
It’s important to note that a DBA is only a business alias, not a business entity. This means that, unlike an LLC or a corporation, having a DBA does not provide you with personal liability protection. For this reason, most Alaska business owners choose to form an LLC or a corporation instead of operating as a sole proprietor with a DBA.
In Alaska, businesses are also required to have a separate business license for each name that they use. This means that you’ll have to complete the application process for a general business license and pay the required fee for each DBA that you file.
The only other real drawback of DBAs is that it can sometimes be confusing for customers if a company operates under numerous different names. It’s important to use DBAs strategically so that they enhance your marketing efforts rather than limiting your ability to build a recognizable brand.
If you think that a DBA is the right choice for your Alaska business, you’ll need to file for one with the state. Below, we’ll go over a couple of important considerations before you begin this process, then cover the steps you’ll need to follow to register your Alaska DBA.
You can use almost any name as a DBA in Alaska as long as it meets these requirements:
Since DBAs are required to be unique, the first thing you need to do once you’ve picked a name you’d like to use is to confirm that it’s available. You can do this by using the search tool offered by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. This tool lets you search by entity name, which means all you have to do to see if a name is available is search for it and check if any results show up.
Once you’ve confirmed that the DBA you’d like to use is available, you can file for a DBA through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Here is a step-by-step guide to completing this process:
Make sure you have all the necessary information on hand to fill out the registration form. This includes information like your legal business name, the DBA you want to use, your business address, owners’ names and contact information, and the business type—all of which will be required to complete the form.
Once you’ve chosen a DBA and acquired a business license for the new name, you can file for a DBA online at the Department of Commerce website or submit the New Business Name Registration form by mail. Be sure to complete the registration form carefully to avoid any mistakes that could cause delays in your application being approved.
Step 5: Pay the Filing Fee
When you submit the New Business Name Registration form, you’ll be required to pay a filing fee of $25. You can pay this fee via cash, check, money order, or credit card. Once the fee is paid, your DBA will be valid for a period of five years before it needs to be renewed.
Alaska gives you the option to file for a DBA either online or by mail, and it’s up to you to decide which option is most convenient. Just keep in mind that the processing time for mailed applications tends to be a little longer.
Alaska requires businesses to have a general business license for each different name that they use. If you don’t already have a valid business license for your DBA, you can file for one online or download and submit a New Business License Application form by mail.
No, registering a DBA in Alaska is optional. It depends on your business strategy and whether you want to operate under a name that’s different from your legal business name.
The name that your company does business under may not seem like a very big deal, but it’s something that the state of Alaska takes seriously. Operating under a name that’s different from your legal business name without first filing for a DBA can lead to fines and potentially other penalties such as business closure. Registering ensures your DBA is legally recognized so that you can avoid these consequences.
Filing for a DBA is a simple way to create a new public identity for your business without having to form a new company. Alaska makes the process easy and requires only a modest filing fee. However, it is important to remember that each name your company uses will require a separate state business license. It’s important to ensure you complete the rest of the filing process correctly as well so that you can legally operate under the new name without any fear of penalties.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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