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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Indiana.
| Official Term | Assumed business name (Certificate of Assumed Business Name) [1] |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | County recorder for sole proprietors and general partnerships; the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division, through INBiz for LLCs, corporations, and other entities [4] |
| Form | Certification of Assumed Business Name, State Form 30353 (Secretary of State); county recorders use their own DBA certificate form [2] |
| Filing Fee | $30 per name for for-profit corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs, and $26 for nonprofits at the Secretary of State; a $25 recording fee at the county recorder [2] |
| Processing Time | Online INBiz filings are generally processed quickly; mailed and in-person county filings take longer [1] |
| Renewal Required | No. Indiana law sets no expiration or renewal requirement for an assumed business name [4] |
| Cancellation | File a notice of discontinuance of use with the office where the certificate was filed [4] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Indiana, the official term is "assumed business name," and the filing is a Certificate of Assumed Business Name.
Any type of business can register an assumed business name in Indiana. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. The filing path depends on your business structure.
A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your ownership structure. It is only a name your business is authorized to operate under.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Entity Branding | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors operate under their personal names by default. An assumed business name lets you do business under a professional brand instead. | Indiana banks generally require a registered assumed business name before opening a business account in a name other than your legal name. | One entity can run several brands or product lines under separate assumed business names without forming a new company for each. | An assumed business name keeps your personal identity off public branding and signals to customers that you are an established business. |
How you register an assumed business name in Indiana depends on your business type. LLCs, corporations, and other registered entities file with the Indiana Secretary of State through INBiz. Sole proprietors and general partnerships record a certificate with the county recorder in each county where they have a place of business.
Before you commit to a name, check that it is available and not already in use by another Indiana business. You can search registered business names for free through the Indiana business search, maintained by the Secretary of State. [3]
A clear search protects your brand and reduces the risk of a conflict. If you are a sole proprietor or general partnership filing at the county level, you should also check the records of the county recorder where you plan to file. [4]
Indiana assumed business name rules are light, but a few hard limits apply.
| Match designators to your real structure | Avoid misleading or restricted words | Conflicts are your responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in an assumed business name. An organizational identifier should match your actual business structure, not imply one you do not have. | Do not choose a name that misleads the public about your business or uses words restricted by other Indiana law, such as terms suggesting a regulated profession you are not licensed to provide. | Registering an assumed business name does not give you exclusive rights to it, so run a federal trademark search to avoid infringing a protected mark. [5] |
Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Filing an assumed business name in Indiana gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [5]
Where you file depends on your business type. LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, and other registered entities file the Certification of Assumed Business Name, State Form 30353, with the Indiana Secretary of State through INBiz. Sole proprietors and general partnerships record a Certificate of Assumed Business Name with the county recorder in each county where they have a place of business. [7]
| Situation | Fee |
|---|---|
| File with the Secretary of State (for-profit corporation, LLC, LP, or LLP) | $30 per assumed business name [2] |
| File with the Secretary of State (nonprofit corporation) | $26 per assumed business name [2] |
| Record with a county recorder (sole proprietor or general partnership) | $25 recording fee [8] |
Online: INBiz, the Secretary of State online business portal, for LLCs, corporations, and other registered entities [9]
County recorder: record your certificate with the county recorder in each county where you have a place of business; many counties accept filings by mail, in person, or through an e-recording service [7]
Indiana law authorizes both paths, so confirm which office applies to your business type before you file. [4]
Online INBiz filings for entities are generally processed quickly, while mailed and in-person county filings take longer. Keep the recorded or filed certificate once it is returned to you. [1]
Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for the certificate before they let you operate or accept funds under the assumed business name, so store a copy with your business records.
An Indiana assumed business name does not expire. Indiana law sets no renewal requirement, so the name remains on file until you file a notice of discontinuance of use. [4]
A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners, and getting it wrong can be costly.
A DBA is only a name. It does not create a legal entity. It does not protect your personal assets. If someone sues your business, your personal finances are exposed.
Forming an LLC means you are creating a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business debts and lawsuits.
If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, an assumed business name is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection, you need an LLC or a corporation.
Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA to run a brand under a name different from the LLC's legal name.
| Feature | DBA (Assumed Business Name) | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a legal entity | No | Yes |
| Personal asset protection | No | Yes |
| Changes the tax treatment | No | Can elect a different tax status |
| Required to operate under a different name | Yes, if the name differs from your legal name | No, the LLC name is its legal name |
| Cost to register | $25 county or $30 state fee + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most Indiana assumed business name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships record with the county recorder, while LLCs and corporations file with the Secretary of State through INBiz. Filing in the wrong place wastes time and money. [4]
A sole proprietor or general partnership must record the certificate in each county where it has a place of business, not just one. [4]
A sole proprietor cannot include "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in an assumed business name unless the business is actually organized that way. The designator must match your real structure.
Registering an assumed business name does not give you exclusive rights to it. Run your own name and trademark search before you commit to a brand. [3]
An assumed business name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not shield your personal finances. If you want protection, form an LLC.
State or county approval is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [5]
[1] Indiana INBiz / Secretary of State. How can I file an assumed business name (DBA)?. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[2] Indiana Secretary of State. Certification of Assumed Business Name, State Form 30353. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[3] Indiana Secretary of State. Indiana Business Search. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[4] Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 23-0.5-3-4, Certificate of Assumed Name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[5] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[6] Indiana Secretary of State. Business Division Forms. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[7] City of Indianapolis and Marion County. Record a Doing Business As (DBA) Certificate. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[8] Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 36-2-7-10, County Recorder Fees. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
