How To Get a DBA in Vermont in Three Steps
To get a DBA (Doing Business As), called an “assumed name” in Vermont, you must choose an available name, submit an Assumed Business Name Registration form with the Vermont Secretary of State, and pay a filing fee.
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The state of Vermont requires all business entities operating under names different from the owner’s legal name, except for corporations and limited liability companies, to file a DBA.
Registering a DBA can make your type of business clear to your customers and serve as an identifier of your goods or services. For instance, you may choose to call your small business “Laura’s Lemony Treats” instead of using only your full legal name. Your customers will know what to expect from your product and that it’s coming from you.
Read on for step-by-step instructions on how you can get a DBA for your Vermont business.
Do I Need a Vermont DBA?
Yes. As a sole proprietor, if you intend to use a different name than your business’s legal name, you need a Vermont DBA. A DBA tells the world the name is yours and discourages or even prevents others from using it.
Additionally, a Vermont assumed business name can help you build your brand, make sure your business isn’t confused with another company, and protect you from other businesses claiming you’ve infringed on their name.
3 Steps To Get a Vermont DBA
Conduct a Business Name Search
Your first step is to make sure your name is available. Your business name should be unique and distinctive and follow all DBA naming requirements under Vermont law. For example, Vermont forbids the use of terms such as Company, LLC, LLP, Limited, Corporation, bank, credit union, professional association, or cooperative, as these words can be misleading and imply a different kind of business structure. Additionally, you cannot suggest a relationship with the government.
You can determine DBA name availability in three primary ways:
- Vermont Corporation Division Business Name Search. You can search for your name on the Vermont Corporation Division Business Name database on the website of the Vermont Secretary of State.
- Internet Searches. You can see if your name is being used anywhere in the world by searching the internet. For domain registrations, check out the ICANN database, and consider registering your name as soon as possible to prevent others from using it. You can also check social media profiles to see if anyone else is using your name. While you are not prohibited from using the same name as another business outside of Vermont, you may consider potential confusion or legal issues that arise if you do.
- USPTO Trademark Database Search. The USPTO trademark database contains information on all currently registered federal trademarks. If your name is not trademarked, you can begin the process of trademarking your unique DBA name.
Complete Assumed Business Name Registration Form
To obtain a Vermont DBA online, you must create an account on the Vermont Secretary of State website. You can also request an Assumed Business Name Registration form if you intend to file in person or by mail.
To register your Vermont DBA, you will need to provide the following information:
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Assumed business name
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Address of the principal place of business
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All persons and/or legal entity names of those doing business under the assumed business name
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Business purpose
While Vermont encourages online DBA registration, you can also file in person or by mail.
File Assumed Business Name Registration Form
You can submit your DBA filing online on the Vermont Secretary of State website, or you can print the form and mail it or deliver it in person.
There is a $50 filing fee.
Vermont processes online filings within one business day. Mailed and in-person filings can take up to 10 days to process, and you should allow additional days for mailing.
The address for mailing or delivering in person is:
Vermont Secretary of State
Corporations Division
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-1104
Phone: (802) 828-2386
Vermont does not have a publication requirement for your new DBA, so you do not have to publish it in a newspaper or anywhere else.
After Obtaining Your DBA Registration
Vermont DBAs expire every five years. You can renew through your online account or request the appropriate form on the Vermont Secretary of State website. The renewal fee is $40.
If you need to change your assumed business name, you must file a new DBA registration. Any changes to your DBA, including cancellation of the name, can be made either online or by obtaining and submitting the proper forms from the Secretary of State website. There is a $20 processing fee for each change.
FAQs About Vermont DBAs
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can file your DBA and register your Vermont business name on the Secretary of State website.
As many as you want. Vermont does not place a limit on DBAs. You must file a new application for each one.
No. Your DBA does not provide asset liability protection. As a business owner, you can only protect your personal assets by registering your company as a Vermont LLC, limited partnership, general partnership, or through incorporation.
No. Your DBA only changes the name of your business—not the legal business name—which means you do not need a separate EIN (employer identification number) or Tax ID number from the IRS.
Need Help Filing Your DBA?
If you’re still undecided or need guidance on filing a DBA, a local business attorney can help.
Or you can let our trusted partner LegalZoom handle your name search and DBA application filing for $99 plus filing fees.
Disclaimer: The information presented here does not constitute legal advice or representation. It is general and educational in nature, may not reflect all recent legal developments, and may not apply to your unique facts and circumstances. Consider consulting with a qualified business attorney if you have legal questions.
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