What if my business name is different from my LLC name?

If the name customers see is different from your LLC’s legal name, you may need to register a DBA, trade name, assumed name, or fictitious business name. The exact term depends on your state or local government. Your LLC name is the legal name of the company. Your DBA is a public-facing name the LLC can operate under. For example, your legal name might be “Oak Street Ventures LLC,” while your shop, website, or invoices use “Oak Street Candles.” Registering the LLC does not automatically give you the right to use every other brand name.

Steps

1. Identify your legal name
   This is the name approved by the state when your LLC was formed. Use it for official state, federal, banking, and tax records unless instructed otherwise.

2. Identify your public name
   This is the name on your website, storefront, social media, invoices, packaging, booking page, or payment link.

3. Compare the two names
   If they are not the same, check whether your state, county, or city requires a DBA or trade name registration.

4. Search the name before using it heavily
   A state LLC name search is not the same as a trademark search. At minimum, check your state’s business database and any local DBA database that applies.

5. Register the DBA in the right place
   Some DBAs are handled by the state. Others are handled by the county or city. Some businesses need more than one filing if they operate in multiple places.

6. Update your bank, licenses, and tax accounts
   Your bank or payment processor may ask for proof that your LLC is allowed to use the public name.

If you are still stuck

Open your Stratify roadmap and check the naming or licensing tasks for your state. You can also ask the AI coach, “Do I need a DBA if my LLC name and public business name are different?” and include both names.