Florida fictitious name registration is public, not ownership

A Florida DBA is a public-name filing, not ownership of the name.

Sunbiz calls it a fictitious name. It is used when a person or business operates under a name that is different from the legal name. Before filing, the name has to be advertised at least once in a newspaper in the county where the main place of business is located. Proof of the ad is not sent in with the application, but the applicant signs that the ad ran.

The filing helps the public search Sunbiz and see who is using the name. It can also be needed for a local business tax receipt or a bank account.

It does not form an LLC or corporation. It does not replace a tax account, workers comp exemption, DBPR license, food permit, zoning approval, or local receipt. It also does not grant ownership of the name or stop someone else from using a similar name.

Before you print signs or buy a domain, search Sunbiz, check local licensing, and ask whether a trademark search belongs in the plan. That extra step can save a new Miami shop, Orlando service business, or Jacksonville side project from picking a name that causes trouble later.