DBA / Assumed Name Filing Intake Checklist & Information Needed

DBA / Assumed Name Filing Intake Checklist & Information Needed

DBA / ASSUMED NAME FILING SERVICE

SCILLAN offers:

DBA / Assumed Name Filing

SCILLAN Fee:
$99 + applicable government fees
Estimated Processing Time:
3–5 business days
Processing generally begins after SCILLAN receives all required:

  • Information
  • Documents
  • Verification
  • Signatures
  • Authorization
  • Payment

Government processing time is separate and may vary.

WHAT IS A DBA?

What does DBA mean?

DBA commonly means:
Doing Business As
In Texas filing terminology, this is generally referred to as an:
Assumed Name

What does an assumed name do?

An assumed name allows an existing business or person, where applicable, to conduct business under a name different from its legal name.
Example:
Legal Entity:
ABC Ventures LLC
Assumed Name / DBA:
ABC Coffee
The legal entity remains ABC Ventures LLC.

IMPORTANT DBA RULE

A DBA does not:

  • Create a new LLC
  • Create a separate legal entity
  • Change the legal name of an existing LLC
  • Automatically create a new EIN
  • Automatically provide trademark protection
  • Automatically create a bank account
  • Automatically provide a business license

BASIC DBA INTAKE CHECKLIST

Customers should generally be prepared to provide:

  • Legal name of the business or applicant
  • Proposed assumed name / DBA
  • Texas entity information, if applicable
  • Business type
  • Business address information
  • Applicable county information where relevant
  • Business activity or purpose information if requested
  • Authorized signer information
  • Customer contact information
  • Required authorization
  • Supporting documents if requested
  • Payment

Exact requirements may vary depending on the applicant and filing.

LEGAL ENTITY NAME

If the DBA is for an LLC or other entity, customers should provide the current legal entity name exactly as reflected in the applicable government record.

No.
The legal entity name and assumed name should be kept separate.

PROPOSED DBA NAME

What name should I provide?

Customers should provide the exact assumed name they want to use.
They should carefully review:

  • Spelling
  • Punctuation
  • Abbreviations
  • Words
  • Branding format

before approving submission.

DBA NAME AVAILABILITY

Can SCILLAN guarantee my DBA name is available?

No.
Sia should not guarantee that a proposed assumed name is available, exclusive, or legally protected.

Does filing a DBA stop someone else from using a similar name?

Not necessarily.
An assumed-name filing should not be described as granting exclusive trademark rights.

DBA VS. LEGAL ENTITY NAME

No.

The official name of the entity in the government record.

DBA / Assumed Name

An alternate business name used by the entity.

DBA VS. LEGAL NAME CHANGE

I want to permanently change my LLC's official name. Do I need a DBA?

Not necessarily.
If the customer wants the official legal entity name changed, SCILLAN's:

Amendment Filing

may apply.
SCILLAN Fee:
$99 + applicable government fees
Estimated Processing Time:
3–5 business days

What if I want to keep the LLC name and use a different brand name?

A DBA / Assumed Name Filing may be appropriate.

ENTITY INFORMATION

What entity information might SCILLAN need?

Depending on the filing, SCILLAN may request:

  • Legal entity name
  • Entity type
  • Texas filing information
  • Business address
  • Governing or authorized-person information
  • Other information required for the assumed-name filing

SOLE PROPRIETORS

Can a sole proprietor use a DBA?

A sole proprietor may use an assumed name where applicable.
The filing path may differ from an entity filing.

Does filing a DBA create an LLC for a sole proprietor?

No.
A DBA does not create a separate legal entity.

COUNTY FILING QUESTIONS

Are all Texas DBA filings handled the same way?

No.
The appropriate filing office can depend on the business structure and circumstances.
Some assumed-name matters may involve county-level filing requirements.

Can Sia automatically tell me which county to file in?

Only when the relevant facts and approved filing requirements are clear.
If the correct filing office is uncertain, escalate.

BUSINESS ADDRESS

What address should I provide?

Customers should provide the applicable business or filing address requested in the intake process.
Sia should not automatically substitute:

  • Registered Agent address
  • Mailing address
  • Home address
  • Virtual office

unless that is appropriate for the requested field.

REGISTERED AGENT ADDRESS

Can I use my Registered Agent address for the DBA?

Do not assume so.
The Registered Agent address serves a specific registered-agent function and is not automatically the correct address for every business filing.

BUSINESS ACTIVITY

Will SCILLAN ask what the DBA will be used for?

Possibly.
Customers should provide an accurate factual description of the business activity where requested.

Can Sia write the description?

Sia may help simplify a factual description based on what the customer provides.
It should not invent business activities or regulated services.

MULTIPLE DBAs

Can one LLC have more than one DBA?

Possibly.
Different assumed names may require separate filings and fees.

Does the $99 cover unlimited DBAs?

No.
Sia should not promise unlimited assumed-name filings under one service fee.

If I want three DBAs, do I need separate filings?

Separate assumed names may require separate service records and government filing fees.
If pricing or filing treatment is unclear, contact:
support@scillan.com

DBA AND EIN

Does a DBA need its own EIN?

Not automatically.
A DBA does not itself create a separate legal entity.
Whether a new EIN is required depends on IRS rules and the underlying business circumstances.
Sia should not make that tax determination.

Does changing my DBA require a new EIN?

Not automatically.

DBA AND IRS RECORDS

Does filing a DBA automatically update the IRS?

No.
IRS records are separate.

Can SCILLAN help with IRS business updates?

For eligible matters:

EIN & IRS Business Updates

$99

DBA AND BANK ACCOUNTS

Can I use my DBA at the bank?

Possibly.
Banks determine their own account and documentation requirements.
A bank may request:

  • Assumed-name filing
  • Formation documents
  • EIN documentation
  • Identification
  • Other business records

Can SCILLAN guarantee my bank will accept the DBA?

No.

DBA AND PAYMENT PROCESSORS

Does filing a DBA update Stripe, PayPal, Square, or other processors?

No.
Customers may need to update those accounts separately.

DBA AND INSURANCE

Does SCILLAN update my insurance after the DBA is filed?

No.
Insurance records are maintained separately.

DBA AND CONTRACTS

Does filing a DBA automatically change my contracts?

No.
Sia should not interpret contracts or provide legal advice about whether contractual updates are required.

DBA AND WEBSITE

Does SCILLAN update my website after the DBA is filed?

No.

DBA AND GOOGLE BUSINESS

Does filing a DBA automatically update Google Business?

No.

DBA AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Does SCILLAN reserve social-media usernames?

No.

DBA AND DOMAIN NAMES

Does filing a DBA reserve the matching domain?

No.
Domain registration is separate.

DBA AND TRADEMARKS

Does a DBA give me trademark protection?

No.

Is DBA approval the same as trademark clearance?

No.

Can Sia tell me whether my DBA infringes another trademark?

No.
That is a legal question.
Approved response:
“An assumed-name filing and trademark rights are separate. SCILLAN cannot determine trademark infringement or provide trademark clearance advice. Please consult a licensed trademark attorney if you need legal guidance about the name.”

TRADEMARK SERVICE

Does SCILLAN file trademarks?

Trademark filing is not part of SCILLAN's current approved standard service catalog unless specifically added.

NAME SEARCHES

Will SCILLAN search the DBA before filing?

SCILLAN may review applicable filing information as part of the service process.
Sia should not promise a standalone trademark or comprehensive name-clearance search.

NAME REJECTION

What if my assumed name is rejected?

The filing may require:

  • Correction
  • Different name
  • Additional information
  • Another administrative step

Contact SCILLAN Support before placing another order.

TYPO BEFORE SUBMISSION

I noticed a spelling mistake before the DBA was filed.

Contact SCILLAN before submission.
The filing may be correctable without placing another order.

TYPO AFTER SUBMISSION

What if the wrong name was already submitted?

Contact:
support@scillan.com
The appropriate correction depends on filing status.

TYPO AFTER APPROVAL

What if the DBA was approved with incorrect information?

A new filing, correction, amendment, or other action may be required depending on the record.
Sia should not guess.

AUTHORIZED SIGNER

Who can sign the assumed-name filing?

The signer should have appropriate authority for the applicant or entity.
Sia should not decide disputed signing authority.

Can my employee sign?

Possibly, if appropriately authorized.
Sia should not assume that any employee may sign.

CUSTOMER AUTHORIZATION

Does SCILLAN need my approval before filing?

Yes.
Applicable customer authorization and any required signature should be received before submission.

Does payment alone authorize the filing?

Not necessarily.
Payment and filing authorization are separate.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Will I need to provide supporting documents?

Possibly.
The required information or documents depend on the filing.
Sia should not promise that no supporting documents will be requested.

PROCESSING TIME

How long does the DBA filing take?

SCILLAN's Estimated Processing Time is:
3–5 business days
after all required information, authorization, and payment are received.

Is that the government's processing time?

No.
SCILLAN's Estimated Processing Time and government processing time are separate.

TEXAS EXPRESS

Can a DBA filing use Texas Express?

Texas Express applies only to eligible Texas Secretary of State filings.
If the applicable assumed-name filing is eligible, Texas Express may be available.
It should not be promised for county filings or other filing types without confirmation.

Current Texas Express options for eligible filings

  • Standard Expedited — $50 per document
  • Next-Day — $500 per document
  • Same-Day — $750 per document

These are government expedited-processing fees in addition to normal filing fees.

COUNTY PROCESSING

Does Texas Express apply to county DBA filings?

Sia should not say that it does.
Texas Express is associated with eligible Texas Secretary of State processing.
County procedures are separate.

DURATION OR EXPIRATION

How long is my DBA valid?

Sia should not invent or generalize a duration or renewal period unless it is verified for the specific filing.

Will SCILLAN automatically renew it?

Do not promise automatic renewal unless SCILLAN has an approved renewal service or workflow.

DBA RENEWALS

Can SCILLAN renew my assumed name?

If renewal is not specifically listed in the current service catalog, contact:
support@scillan.com
to confirm available assistance.

CANCELLING A DBA

Can I cancel or withdraw an assumed name?

Possibly.
The appropriate process depends on the filing and status.
Sia should not promise a withdrawal service for assumed names unless confirmed.

BUSINESS CLOSES

Does dissolving my LLC automatically cancel its DBA?

Not necessarily.
Different records may require separate action.

LEGAL NAME CHANGES

The assumed-name record may need separate review.
Sia should not assume it updates automatically.

FOREIGN ENTITIES

Can an out-of-state entity use a DBA in Texas?

Possibly.
The correct filing depends on the entity and circumstances.
Foreign entities may also require:

Foreign Qualification in Texas

$299 + applicable government fees
where applicable.
Sia should not determine whether Foreign Qualification is legally required solely because a DBA is requested.

DBA DOES NOT PROVIDE LIABILITY PROTECTION

Does registering a DBA protect me personally?

A DBA should not be described as creating liability protection.
It is a business-name filing, not a separate legal entity.

DBA DOES NOT CREATE OWNERSHIP

Does the person who files the DBA own the LLC?

No.
A DBA filing does not by itself determine ownership.

CUSTOMER PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Before beginning a DBA / Assumed Name Filing, customers should be prepared to confirm:

DBA QUICK REFERENCE

SCILLAN Fee:
$99 + applicable government fees
Estimated Processing Time:
3–5 business days
DBA Creates New LLC:
No
DBA Changes LLC Legal Name:
No
DBA Automatically Creates New EIN:
No
DBA Provides Trademark Rights:
No
DBA Automatically Updates Bank:
No
DBA Automatically Updates IRS:
No
Multiple DBAs:
May require separate filings and fees

COMMON CUSTOMER SCENARIOS

“I want my LLC to operate under a different name.”

Possible service:
DBA / Assumed Name Filing — $99 + applicable government fees

Possible service:
Amendment Filing — $99 + applicable government fees

“I want to create another separate company.”

A DBA does not create another entity.
If the customer wants a separate Texas LLC, the applicable service may be:
Texas LLC Formation — $199 + applicable government fees

“I want another EIN for my DBA.”

Do not assume another EIN is appropriate.
Refer tax-specific EIN questions to the IRS or a qualified tax professional.

“I want to trademark my DBA.”

Trademark protection is separate from DBA filing.
SCILLAN should not provide trademark legal advice.

APPROVED “WHAT DO I NEED?” RESPONSE

Use:
“To prepare a DBA / Assumed Name Filing, SCILLAN will generally need the legal entity or applicant name, the exact assumed name you want to use, applicable business and entity information, an authorized signer, and the required authorization and payment. SCILLAN's fee is $99 plus applicable government fees.”

APPROVED DBA EXPLANATION

Use:
“A DBA, also called an assumed name, allows an existing business to operate under another name. It does not create a separate legal entity or change the legal name of an existing LLC.”

APPROVED DBA VS. AMENDMENT RESPONSE

Use:
“If you want to keep your existing legal entity name but use another business name, a DBA may be appropriate. If you want to change the entity's official legal name, an Amendment Filing may apply.”

APPROVED EIN RESPONSE

Use:
“A DBA does not automatically require or create a new EIN. Whether a new EIN is required depends on IRS rules and the underlying business circumstances.”

APPROVED TRADEMARK RESPONSE

Use:
“DBA registration and trademark rights are separate. Filing an assumed name does not automatically provide trademark protection or establish exclusive rights to the name.”

MOST IMPORTANT RULE

A DBA changes how a business may operate or present its name; it does not create a new legal entity.
Sia should first determine whether the customer wants to:

  • Use another business name
  • Change the existing legal entity name
  • Create a new LLC
  • Protect a trademark
  • Update an IRS record

These are different needs and may require different services.
When the customer's goal is unclear:
Do not guess. Clarify or escalate.
Support:
support@scillan.com

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

This article provides general administrative information about SCILLAN's DBA / Assumed Name Filing service.
Assumed-name requirements may vary by business type, filing office, jurisdiction, and circumstances.
SCILLAN Business LLC does not provide legal, trademark, tax, accounting, financial, or investment advice.

Updated on: 09/23/2026

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!