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If you’re eager to understand the value of registering a DBA in New Jersey and the steps required, you’re in the right place. A DBA, which stands for “doing business as,” allows business owners to use a different name for marketing, sales, and legal purposes.
In various states, it’s sometimes called a fictitious name, assumed name, or trade name. But it’s crucial to note that a DBA doesn’t form a formal business entity like a Limited Liability Company (LLC), meaning it won’t offer similar advantages.
In New Jersey, forming an LLC is often more advantageous because it provides legal protections and tax benefits that a DBA doesn’t. An LLC registration could be a strategic move for solidifying your business foundation.
What Is a New Jersey DBA?
Two types of DBAs are available in New Jersey: alternate names and trade names. These options allow you to use a nickname for your business instead of its legal name. Let’s delve into the distinctions between the two:
Alternate Name: This refers to a name used by a registered business, such as an LLC, limited partnership (LP), or corporation, which differs from its legal name. Alternating names necessitates registration with the New Jersey Revenue & Enterprise Services Division.
Trade Name: Exclusive to sole proprietorships or general partnerships, trade names in New Jersey mandate registration in every county where the business operates.
Despite their distinct designations, both types of DBAs serve the same purpose: enabling a business to register a name that deviates from its legal business name. DBAs can be applied to:
- Online platforms and social media profiles
- Promotional campaigns
- Business cards, official letterheads, and branded items
- Establishment of a dedicated business banking account
- Vendor payments and retail transaction systems
A DBA, a Doing Business As name, isn’t considered separate from your business. Registering a DBA in New Jersey doesn’t alter the nature of your business; rather, it provides an additional name or nickname for your business.
Therefore, you’ll continue to file taxes using your legal business name and the existing EIN (or SSN if you’re a sole proprietor).
Can I Sign a Business Contract With My DBA?
A DBA alone doesn’t constitute a legal entity. It’s simply a name. When creating and executing business contracts, you must use the legal name of your business. To maintain transparency, inform the other party or organization that your business operates under a DBA.
Why Hire a Professional Service to File a DBA in New Jersey?
Registering a DBA (Doing Business As) in New Jersey consists of several essential steps for successful and smooth registration. Follow these steps carefully, as any mistakes or errors could lead to your application being rejected or more serious consequences.
In New Jersey, the state authorities can impose fines or even shut down your business if you abuse a name in legal or business contexts. Professional services can assist in avoiding any concerns or uncertainties during the DBA process.
These services have a deep understanding of the specific requirements in New Jersey and can help you choose an ideal name before starting the necessary paperwork. These companies offer various services, such as LLC filing, which can benefit your business’s growth.
After conducting extensive research, we have identified the top professional services that are tailored to meet your specific DBA needs in New Jersey:
How to Register a DBA in New Jersey
Registering a DBA in New Jersey varies depending on the entity type. For sole proprietors and general partnerships, trade names (DBAs) are registered at the county level, specifically in the counties where they conduct business.
LLCs and corporations file alternate names (DBAs) with the state. This also applies to foreign entities that were established outside of New Jersey.
Regardless of your entity type, ensuring that your desired name is available and complies with state naming regulations is imperative. To guide you through the registration process for a New Jersey DBA, let’s review the necessary steps involved.
1. Check to See if Your DBA Name is Available
In New Jersey, businesses aren’t permitted to register a business name that another formal entity has already registered.
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are prohibited from registering a trade name already registered within the same county. However, two businesses can use the same trade name if registered in different counties.
For those filing at the state level, New Jersey provides a Business Name Availability Search tool allowing users to check if another formal business in the state uses their desired business name. If the desired name is unavailable, the system will notify you accordingly.
Many businesses should use New Jersey’s Trade Name and Trade/Service Mark Status Report to determine if their preferred trade name is already in use within the county where they operate.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships should check with their county clerk’s office for a searchable database. Some counties offer an online search option for trade names, while others may require manual searching of their records on-site.
2. Comply With New Jersey’s Naming Rules
In most cases, it’s not permissible for your DBA name to:
- Avoid matching or resembling existing registered business names within the state.
- Refrain from employing terms that might mislead customers into believing your business offers unauthorized services (e.g., “bank,” “university,” “insurance,” “police”).
- Omit any references to corporate structures such as “corporation,” “Inc.,” “limited,” “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or any associated abbreviations unless the business is legally structured as such.
3. Registration for LLCs and Corporations
LLCs and corporations can register a different name by submitting the Registration of Alternate Name form online through New Jersey’s Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services. To ensure a successful registration, you must provide specific information.
- Type of business entity (check appropriate box).
- Name of the business.
- 10-digit ID number that was assigned to your business when it registered with the state.
- State where business was originally formed.
- Date of formation (date of authorization for foreign entities).
- Alternate business name.
- The business operations will be carried out using a different name, such as air conditioning repair.
- If the alternative name has been used in the past, please indicate the specific month and year of its usage.
- Name of signer, title of signer, signature, and date. (Note: Corporate registrations must be signed by the corporate president, vice president, or board chairman. A general partner must sign limited partnership registrations. All other business types just need an authorized person to sign.)
Registering an alternate name incurs a fee of $50, with the option to file online, by mail, or in person. The Division of Revenue in New Jersey typically takes 1-3 business days to confirm acceptance for online and in-person filers. However, mailed filings generally require a longer processing time.
Online:
Business Charter Amendment Service
Mail:
NJ Division of Revenue
Corporate Unit
P.O. Box 308
Trenton, NJ 08646
In-person:
NJ Division of Revenue
Corporate Unit
33 West State Street, 5th Fl.
Trenton, NJ 08608
4. Manage Your NJ DBA
Renew Your DBA with the State
To keep your alternate name in New Jersey active, you must renew it every five years. This can be done online or by submitting the Renewal of Registration of Alternate Name form. The renewal fee is $25 for corporations and $50 for other entities.
Withdraw Your DBA
You must submit the Certificate of Termination of Corporate Alternate Name form to revoke your alternate name in New Jersey. The fee for filing this form is $75.
Registration for Sole Proprietors and General Partnerships
Sole proprietors and general partnerships must submit their Trade Name Certificate in every county where their business operates. You can find the contact information for county clerks on the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey website.
The filing fees differ depending on the county, but you should budget at least $50 for this process. For instance, Monmouth County charges a registration fee of $54 for trade names, while Cumberland County charges $50.
To register your trade name successfully, you must provide certain essential information.
- Legal name of the business
- Trade name being registered
- Business address and phone number
- Nature of the business (ex: plumber)
- Name, address, and signature of all members of the business
- Notary or attorney signature and stamp
To register a trade name, all business owners must sign the necessary certificates, which need to be notarized by either a notary public or a lawyer. The fees charged by notaries can vary, but they typically are at most $10.
For those looking to minimize costs associated with notarization, contact the county clerk’s office and inquire whether they provide this service. Sometimes, clerks may offer free or discounted notarization services for trade name certificates.
Note: Certain counties, such as Monmouth, only accept in-person filings for business registration. They require all business owners to be physically present and provide identification to complete the registration process. To ensure compliance, contact your clerk’s office and inquire about any specific signature requirements.
How Long Will It Take To Get My Trade Name Approved?
The time it takes to get approval for your trade name can differ depending on the location. Some counties can process your application on the same day if you need to file in person.
However, if you must submit your filing by mail, be prepared to wait at least two weeks for processing. Regardless of the method used, once your trade name is registered, you will receive a stamped copy of the certificate as proof for your records.
Best DBA Filing Services to Register Fictitious Name in New Jersey – NJ DBA
Discover exceptional services available for registering a fictitious name in New Jersey.
Whatever type of business you run, Bizee has a step-by-step guide for filing a DBA in Oregon, referred to as an “assumed business name.” Simply provide your company details and get a quote to create your new fictitious name. Bizee will handle all the paperwork and administrative challenges.
Beyond DBA filings in Oregon, Bizee’s expertise extends to helping over 800,000 business owners with services like forming LLCs and corporations, securing Employer Identification Numbers, and setting up registered agents. Their comprehensive approach makes compliance a breeze.
When filing a Doing Business As (DBA) in New Jersey, entrepreneurs and business owners can rely on the invaluable services provided by BusinessRocket. This platform caters to their needs, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience.
BusinessRocket simplifies the typically intricate paperwork involved in DBA registration in New Jersey through its intuitive online tools and step-by-step guidance.
The main goal of BusinessRocket is to streamline the entire process for individuals, helping them navigate the legal requirements while ensuring that their chosen business name remains unique and compliant with New Jersey regulations.
With features like document preparation and filing assistance, BusinessRocket facilitates a smooth DBA registration process, empowering individuals as they establish their presence in New Jersey.
Northwest Registered Agent is a reliable option for businesses needing various legal services, including DBA filings in New Jersey. As a registered agent service, Northwest provides a physical address that meets the state’s requirements for operating under an alternate name.
Besides DBA filings, Northwest offers compliance services like annual report submissions and mail forwarding. This helps businesses stay in good standing with the state and eases administrative responsibilities for business owners, allowing them to concentrate on growing their enterprises.
ZenBusiness serves as a platform for business services, catering to the needs of entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, including filing a DBA in New Jersey. With a strong focus on simplicity, ZenBusiness offers an intuitive online platform that effortlessly guides users through the necessary steps to register a DBA in New Jersey.
This service goes beyond just assisting with name availability checks. ZenBusiness prepares all required documentation and ensures timely submission to the relevant authorities in New Jersey.
Entrepreneurs can rely on ZenBusiness for ongoing support with compliance matters. This invaluable resource allows them to establish their business identity hassle-free while fully complying with state regulations.
DBA vs. LLC in New Jersey
While DBAs and LLCs cause filing at the state level, LLCs operate as distinct legal entities that establish a clear separation between business owners (members) and the company itself.
Choosing an LLC in New Jersey can protect owners’ personal assets, such as savings, vehicles, or homes. This safeguard shields these assets from potential seizure in case of a lawsuit or bankruptcy.
A DBA merely serves as an alternative name for a business and doesn’t offer any legal protection. If you aim solely to assign a name to your business or designate one for a new product line, opting for a DBA is suitable.
However, if you’re a sole proprietor looking to protect personal assets, establish a separate business entity with liability protection, like an LLC. Northwest is available to assist you throughout this process.
File a DBA in New Jersey – Frequently Asked Questions
If you still need clarification regarding filing a DBA in New Jersey, please proceed with reading further to obtain the information you’re searching for.
Conclusion – File a DBA in New Jersey
Gain mastery over the DBA filing process in New Jersey easily and efficiently with our comprehensive 4-step guide. For an even more streamlined journey, turn to Bizee, a reliable partner that simplifies the DBA filing process.
Let Bizee guide you through building and fortifying your business identity, offering accurate, time-saving support at every registration step.
