Last updated
Most states send DBAs to the Secretary of State or a county. Washington does neither. Under the state's trade name chapter, a business using a trade name registers it with the Department of Revenue. The chapter's definitions say that "department" means the department of revenue. You can read the trade names chapter in full.
Who must register a trade name in Washington?
Anyone who carries on business in the state under a trade name. That covers a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, a limited partnership, an LLC and a corporation. A trade name is a name that does not include the true and real names of everyone in the business, or that suggests extra parties, such as "and Sons" or "and Associates."
An LLC, a limited partnership or a corporation registers the name exactly as filed with the Secretary of State. So you form the entity first, then register the trade name. Our Washington LLC guide covers the first step.
How do you register one?
You use the Business License Application. The Department of Revenue's licensing FAQ says the application can be used to register or change a trade name, apply for a UBI number and open a business. You file it online in the My DOR account, or by mail.
The statute says Revenue sets the fees for registrations, amendments, searches, renewals and copies, and that a fee cannot go above the actual cost of running the chapter. We did not find a trade name fee on a page we read, so we do not quote one. The license application fee also varies by what you need. The business license guide explains the rest.
Do you have to renew it?
The law lets Revenue require renewal, but not more often than once a year. It also says renewal must be allowed at the same time as your business license renewal. Revenue may cancel a trade name on request, or when the business license account is inactive. The law requires a reasonable effort to notify you first.
What if the name or owners change?
A notice of change goes to Revenue when a person's true name or a mailing address on the registration changes. A notice of cancellation goes in when you stop using the name. Adding or removing an owner, or changing the wording or spelling of the name, needs a notice of cancellation together with a new registration before any further business.
What happens if you do not register?
The law bars you from maintaining a suit in any state court until the registration is done. It adds that the missing registration does not impair a contract or act, and does not prevent you from defending a suit. That is a real cost if you ever need to collect an unpaid invoice in court.
How do you search for a Washington trade name?
Revenue publishes a Business Lookup. The state data catalog describes it as public information on active accounts and five years of closed accounts. It allows a search by business name, trade name, owners and officers, UBI, license number, address and more. The licensing FAQ adds that the account name may differ from the trade name a business operates under. For other states and the general method, see our DBA search guide, and check names with the LLC name search guide.
If you are deciding between a trade name and a company, read DBA vs LLC. For the filing steps most states share, see how to file a DBA.
This page does not cover city rules, the exact trade name fee or trademark registration.