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Florida registers fictitious names at state level with the Division of Corporations, the office behind Sunbiz. There is no county filing for the name itself. The registration costs $50 and runs five years, then you renew it. If you only want to know whether a name is taken, the search is free on the same site.
What does Florida call a DBA, and what does registering do?
The statute is the Fictitious Name Act, section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes. The Division states the point of the filing plainly. Its only purpose is to tell the public which person or business entity is trading under a name. It does not reserve the name and it does not stop another party registering the same one.
So treat it as a notice, not protection. If you want ownership of a brand, that is a trademark question. Our DBA vs LLC guide explains why a fictitious name also creates no company and no liability shield.
How do I register one and what does it cost?
You file online on Sunbiz or by mail with the Division of Corporations. The Fictitious Name Registration instructions list the fee schedule.
- Registration of a fictitious name: $50
- Renewal: $50
- Certified copy: $30
- Certificate of status: $10
You enter one name per application. The mailing address does not have to be in Florida, and you can pick the Florida county of your principal place of business. An FEIN is optional, and you must never enter a social security number there. One owner signs, and an authorized person can sign for a business entity.
The statute text we read also lists a certification that the name was advertised in a newspaper in the county of the principal place of business. The instructions page does not mention it, so read both before you file and ask the Division if you are unsure.
Who can be listed as an owner?
You can list up to five owners, each an individual or a business entity. Individuals go in as last name, first name, middle initial. A business entity owner must be registered and active with the Division of Corporations, and the form asks for its document number. If you plan to use an LLC, form it first with the help of our Florida LLC guide and check the name with the LLC name search guide.
A fictitious name cannot contain an entity ending such as Corporation, Incorporated, L.L.C., L.P. or P.A. unless a registrant is that type of entity.
When does a Florida fictitious name expire?
Registrations and renewals are both valid for five years and expire on December 31 of the final year. If you miss the renewal, the registration lapses and cannot be revived. Put the end date in your calendar and renew early through the Fictitious Name Renewal page on Sunbiz. You can change the owner on the renewal form. If you prefer paper, the Division also offers a printable renewal application that you mail with a check or money order. Card payments must use the online form.
How do I search Florida fictitious names?
Open Sunbiz and use Search Fictitious Name Records. You can search by name, as the Division suggests on its renewal page, and the Division also publishes a fictitious name search guide. Our DBA search guide shows what to try when the name does not turn up, and how to file a DBA covers the general steps.
Most county tax collectors, and some cities, also charge a local business tax (the occupational license). That is a separate step, covered in our Florida business license guide.