How To Get a DBA in Wyoming in 3 Steps
By Michelle Kaminsky, Esq. | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq. | Last reviewed October 04, 2024
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A DBA is short for “doing business as.” Small business owners who would like to call their new business a different name than their own personal name can use a DBA. The state of Wyoming refers to a DBA as a “trade name,” though you may also see the terms “assumed name” or “fictitious business name." You can learn more about getting a Wyoming DBA and get answers to frequently asked questions here.
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All Wyoming businesses, including sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, general partnerships, and corporations, can register a DBA for the name they are doing business under. A DBA is the name presented to the public, and it doesn’t change the legal business name.
A trade name is especially useful when the type of business would not be clear by simply using your legal name as the company name. For instance, Claudia’s Cupcakes as a DBA would make clear what Claudia Perez is selling.
Do You Need a DBA in Wyoming?
Wyoming does not require a business to register a DBA to operate under a trade name within the state. Still, a DBA could be beneficial for entrepreneurs and startups for several reasons, including allowing you to open a bank account and enter contracts under your business name.
A DBA registration can also help you build your brand and eliminate confusion between your business and others. With a DBA filing, you can better ensure that others won’t use your name or allege that you are infringing on theirs.
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Trade Name Search
Under Wyoming state requirements, trade names must be unique and follow several other naming requirements. For instance, you cannot use words that suggest your enterprise is a finance- or education-related business without approval or identifiers such as LLC or Corp., unless they accurately reflect your business structure. To ensure a unique name, your first step in registering your DBA is making sure no one else is using it.
Here are three ways you can make sure the DBA name you want is available:
Wyoming Business Center Filing Search. The Wyoming Secretary of State website maintains a searchable database of registered Wyoming trade names, fictitious names, and assumed business names, which you can search to see if anyone else has registered your DBA name.
Online Search. A general online search with your favorite search engine will tell you if your name is already being used by someone else outside of Wyoming. For domain registrations, search the ICANN database. If your name is available, you can register it to prevent anyone else from using that URL. Another business using your name doesn’t mean you can’t use it, but you still may decide to keep looking to avoid any potential brand confusion or claims of infringement.
Federal Trademark Database Search. All registered trademarks in the United States are found in the searchable USPTO trademark database. You may also choose to protect your DBA name by registering it with the USPTO.
Note that Wyoming requires that you use the name you want to register before you can file a DBA. If you aren’t ready to file a DBA, you can file an Application for Reservation of Trade Name along with a $30 fee to reserve the trade name for 120 days.
Complete the Application for Registration of Trade Name
To register a Wyoming DBA name, you must complete an Application for Registration of Trade Name.
You will need the following information:
Trade name
Applicant name, denoting if applicant is an individual or a separate business entity
Business address
State where business was formed (except if sole proprietor or general partnership)
Names and addresses of all partners or trustees (if applying as partnership or trust)
Description of type of business
Date you first used the trade name
Signature and contact information of someone authorized to act on behalf of your business (may be a registered agent)
Note that the Wyoming Secretary of State scans this application and makes it available on its website, so all information will be public.
File the Application for Registration of Trade Name
Before filing the form, you must have it notarized.
Wyoming does not allow online filing, so you will need to mail the completed, notarized form along with the $100 filing fee to:
Wyoming Secretary of State
Herschler Building East, Suite 101
122 W 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020
Processing time for Wyoming DBAs is up to 15 business days, and there is no option to expedite the process.
After Obtaining Your DBA Registration
Wyoming does not require businesses to publish announcements of new DBA registrations publicly in newspapers or otherwise.
Wyoming DBAs must be renewed every 10 years, though you cannot renew until six months before expiration. You can renew yours by submitting an Application for Renewal of Trade Name Registration to the Wyoming Secretary of State. The renewal fee is $50.
Wyoming does not permit amendments to trade names, so if you need to change yours, you will need to file a new Application for Registration of Trade Name.
You can cancel your DBA by filing a Cancellation of Trade Name form along with a $10 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help Filing Your DBA?
If you would like assistance on deciding whether a DBA is right for you or with filing one, 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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Need Help Registering Your DBA?
FindLaw's trusted partner, LegalZoom, provides a straightforward process to register your DBA. Join the millions who launched their businesses with LegalZoom.
DBA registration starts at $99 + filing fees.