Get a DBA for an LLC in Idaho: No-Nonsense Guide

What Is a DBA?

To begin, let’s quickly run down what exactly a DBA is. One point of confusion we often hear about is that a DBA is not a business entity, like an LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, general partnership, etc. Instead, you can think of a DBA as an add-on feature of sorts.

The DBA allows you to create alternate business names for your entity, which you can then use interchangeably with your LLC’s official business name. In addition, for informal business entities that don’t have exclusive business names (like sole proprietorships and general partnerships), a DBA can be a great way to inject some additional professionalism into a business venture.

But let’s talk strictly about LLCs, shall we? Why would an LLC want an additional business name? There are several potential reasons, although they obviously vary considerably depending on what your business does. One popular reason is to differentiate a new product line from a company’s existing offerings.

Let’s say that you own a business called “Fine Footwear, LLC” that produces high-end shoes. If you decide to also start a new product line that sells inexpensive flip-flop sandals, you might want a way to differentiate this brand from your core business. In this circumstance, you could register a DBA for “Flip-Flops by Fine Footwear,” and you can use this name to market your new products, while your original product line remains unaffected if your sandal side business fails.

It could also be helpful if you decide to expand your local business into a new market. For instance, if you own an Idaho-based plumbing business called “Boise Plumbing,” and you want to expand beyond Boise, you can register a DBA for “Twin Falls Plumbing” and use that name in the Twin Falls market.

The state of Idaho has a rather unique and inconsistent set of rules and regulations for DBAs, as this state offers contradictory explanations of how DBAs work. One official state resource will tell you that LLCs and corporations must register unique DBAs, while sole proprietorships are inexplicably allowed to use names already in use by other businesses. However, another official state site will say that any business can use any DBA name it wants, and that there is no exclusivity at all.

This unusual law is confusing and leaves your name open to being used by other businesses, so we’re typically not fans of registering DBAs in this state. However, we will outline the process below for those of you who still want one.

How to Get a DBA for an Idaho LLC

First off, we’ll note that Idaho typically refers to DBAs as “assumed business names,” but for the purposes of this article, we’ll continue to use both terms interchangeably because most states use the term “DBA.”

The process for obtaining a DBA in Idaho starts with a business name check to make sure your desired name is available. Remember, if your desired name is already registered as a formal business entity (like an LLC or a corporation), you cannot register it for yourself. However, if your desired name is previously registered as a DBA, you can use it. (Of course, there are some significant logistical and marketing issues with using the same name as another business, but Idaho technically does allow you to do so.)

Once you’ve ensured that the name you want is available for your use, you’ll need to fill out the state’s Certificate of Assumed Business Name. This is a relatively simple form that requires the new assumed name you’re registering, the official business name and address of your LLC, the type of business your LLC transacts, your mailing address, your printed name, and your signature.

When you’re ready to file this form, you can do so online, by mail, or by hand. Online filings only cost $25, but filing a paper form instead will cost a total of $45. The turnaround time for this document is typically 7-10 days, and there are no expedited options available for assumed business names.

In Conclusion

The doing business as (DBA) name varies more from state to state than most other business filings. In some states, a DBA grants you exclusive rights to your new trade name, but in states like Idaho, that simply isn’t the case. Due to this lack of exclusivity, we’re not fans of registering DBAs in this state.

Instead, it’s probably a better option to form an additional LLC if you want to be able to use multiple names for your business. This is certainly more of a hassle that registering a DBA, but at least you’ll have exclusive rights to your name.

If you’re looking for a new way to market your LLC in Idaho, a DBA might not be the best idea.