Filing a DBA

[capturedwhisper]

ok, I know I should be able to figure this out, but where do I go to file a DBA?:rolleyes:

[TimW]

In Arizona, with either the Secretary of State (for sole props) or the Corporation Commission (corps).

[capturedwhisper]

Thanks Tim.

[kamakiri]

Go to the bank. Your banker has all of the paperwork you will need, and he knows how to fill it out. Before moving to Japan a decade ago, I was in commercial banking, and can't recommend this enough.


Banks are all over the place, so a bit of shopping around should get you a banker you like. Find one who is helpful, knowledgeable, and someone you can work with. They are a free resource that you really should take advantage of.

[capturedwhisper]

wow, I never would of thought to ask a banker. Thanks for the advice!

[lovinglife]

For a DBA we just went to the county courthouse. For incorporating, I had to go to the state comptroller.

[kamakiri]

wow, I never would of thought to ask a banker. Thanks for the advice!

Your business banker is an incredible resource. Set up a day to go visit a few local banks and interview perspective bankers. If you are ambitious, you can call ahead and set up a meeting and they will be more prepared, but in general business bankers aren't that busy. Establishing a relationship from the beginning will also get you direct access to a banker who is much less busy than the tellers at the bank windows, and will provide the same service they do with many more free perks.

I don't know why anyone would pay to have those services done. Banks make money off business account fee income. It is a fact of life. You need banking though, so go with the bank that gives the best service. They are happy to do all of the things that you need (setting up DBA, and many other services) for free, so let them do it. They are also invaluable resources for contacts, and information about the local business climate.


No reason to plug through those start up challenges when you have such a great free resource. 'Outsource' the paperwork to your banker and concentrate on your product and marketing.