Key Takeaways

  • An Arizona DBA (“doing business as”) or trade name allows businesses to operate under a name different from their legal entity name.
  • Trade names in Arizona are registered with the Secretary of State and must be renewed every five years.
  • Registration does not provide nationwide protection; a federal trademark is required for broader rights.
  • Filing requires name availability checks, a completed application, and payment of fees ($10 standard, $25 expedited).
  • Sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations can all register an Arizona DBA to build brand identity and meet state compliance requirements.
  • Renewal should be filed within six months of expiration to avoid lapses in legal use of the trade name.

Filing an Arizona trade name renewal application is an important part of maintaining your company's trade name. A trade name could include a variety of components that identify either the products or services of a business. A trade name can consist of:

  • Word
  • Name
  • Logo
  • Symbol
  • Slogan
  • Device

Trade names can be registered by:

  • An individual
  • A corporation
  • A partnership
  • An LLC

You may also hear trade names being referred to as assumed business names or doing business as (dba) names which allow you to operate in the state using a name that is not your legal name. Some businesses use trade names in lieu of their business names for many reasons, such as:

  • Allowing a sole proprietorship to build a brand around a name other than its own.
  • Allowing you to operate in states where other businesses may exist that have a name too similar to your company's.

Trade Name: Background

A trade name is different from a trademark. A trademark is a brand name. A trade name is a design, term, or even a sound that is used to distinguish the products and services of the company that sells it. The similarity is that in Arizona, you register both a trade name and trademark in a similar fashion.

You register your legal business name with the Arizona Corporation Commission, which is different from the trade name your company uses. Many companies use a trade name to ensure that they don't infringe on another established business names which could land you with a host of legal issues.

It is important to note that when a trade name is registered in the state of Arizona, it is only good in that state and will need to be registered in other states if you plan to use it there. If you register your trade name in Arizona, it does not provide you with exclusive rights to it if a business in another state uses it. To achieve protection throughout the United States, you will need to register it with the federal government.

Why Register an Arizona DBA?

Registering an Arizona DBA provides businesses with flexibility and branding advantages. For example, a sole proprietor may want to operate under a business name rather than their personal name. Similarly, an LLC or corporation might use multiple DBAs to market different product lines or services under unique brand identities.

Benefits include:

  • Professional appearance – Customers often trust a business operating under a distinct, branded name.
  • Operational flexibility – A single LLC can use several DBAs to run different business ventures without creating separate legal entities.
  • Compliance – Arizona law requires businesses to register trade names if they want to use them publicly in contracts, signage, or advertising.
  • Marketing advantage – A DBA can be more descriptive and memorable than a formal entity name.

It is important to note that Arizona DBA registration does not create exclusive ownership nationwide. It only offers state-level recognition and does not substitute for federal trademark protection.

How to Register Your Trade Name

There are a few steps you will need to take to register your trade name in Arizona. You will need to:

  • Go through the Registered Name Information Search to make sure your desired name is available. The name you choose must be unique from any other business registered in the state. When choosing your name, it is important to note that the secretary of state does not count capitalization and adding articles such as "a" and "the" as being distinguishing.
  • Hire a business attorney to help you make sure that your application is complete and that your trade name is distinguishable.
  • Download the Trade Name Registration Application for the Arizona Department of State website. The forms can be found under the Trade Names and Trademarks header.
  • Include on the form the name and address of the company or individual registering the trade name, the date you began using the name, and a signature from a party authorized to sign on behalf of the business entity.
  • Send the form in with a copy of photo identification of the person signing the form.

Applications will often take two to three weeks to process fully. You can request an expedited review of your application for an additional fee of $25 when you file. Once the application is filed, the state entity will check the name availability and register the name to you. Once the name is approved, you will be expected to file a registration fee of $10.

Payment for the fee can be made via check, money order, or credit card. After payment is received, the Secretary of State's Office will then send an official certificate with the ability to purchase extra copies for $3. Trade name registrations must be renewed every five years, and a continuation should be filed six months before the name expires. You will pay the same price for the renewal as you did the registration, and it will renew it for another five years.

If you plan to change the trade name or design, you will need to file an amendment with your renewal form.

Arizona DBA Renewal Process

Trade names in Arizona are valid for five years. To continue using your DBA without interruption, you must file a renewal application with the Secretary of State.

Key steps for renewal include:

  1. File on time – Renewal should be submitted within six months before the expiration date.
  2. Use the correct form – Arizona provides a specific Trade Name Renewal Application, available on the Secretary of State’s website.
  3. Pay the renewal fee – The cost is the same as the initial registration ($10 for standard processing, $25 for expedited service).
  4. Submit supporting documents – The renewal application must include current business details and identification of the authorized signer.
  5. Amendments – If your business changes its trade name design, ownership, or details, file an amendment alongside your renewal.

Failure to renew on time could result in losing the right to use your trade name, potentially exposing your business to disputes with competitors who register it afterward.

Costs and Processing Times for an Arizona DBA

The filing fee for an Arizona DBA is modest compared to many other states. The standard fee is $10 per registration or renewal, with an optional $25 expedited service fee for faster processing.

Processing typically takes two to three weeks for standard filings and significantly less for expedited submissions. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card. After approval, you will receive a certificate of trade name registration. Extra copies can be purchased for $3 each.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Arizona DBAs

Businesses often run into issues during the Arizona DBA process. Avoid these mistakes:

  • Choosing a non-unique name – Names too similar to existing businesses will be rejected.
  • Failing to renew – Missing the five-year renewal window can lead to forfeiting rights to your name.
  • Assuming nationwide protection – Arizona registration does not prevent another business in another state from using the same name.
  • Skipping legal review – Without proper guidance, you may choose a name that infringes on another business’s trademark rights.

Consulting an attorney or legal service can help ensure your application is accurate and legally compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is an Arizona DBA?
    An Arizona DBA (doing business as) is a trade name that allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal entity name.
  2. How long does an Arizona DBA last?
    Trade names are valid for five years and must be renewed before expiration to maintain legal use.
  3. How much does it cost to file or renew an Arizona DBA?
    The fee is $10 for standard processing or $25 for expedited service.
  4. Can I use the same DBA in multiple states?
    No. Arizona DBA registration is valid only in Arizona. For nationwide protection, you need a federal trademark.
  5. Do sole proprietors need a DBA in Arizona?
    Yes, if they want to operate under a business name rather than their personal legal name.

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