Utah DBA Filing: Cost & How to Register (2026)

Q: How much does a DBA cost in Utah?

A Utah DBA (assumed name) registration costs $22 and is filed with the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code. The registration is valid for three years, after which it renews for $27. A federal EIN, if you need one, is free from the IRS.

Q: What is a DBA called in Utah?

Utah calls a DBA an assumed name or DBA (doing business as). It is a business-name registration filed at the state level with the Division of Corporations & Commercial Code under Utah Code § 42-2-5, not a separate legal entity.

Q: Do I need a DBA for my Utah LLC?

Only if you want to operate under a name different from the LLC's legal name. An LLC can do business under its registered name without a DBA. If you plan to market under another name, you register that name as a DBA for $22.

Q: Does a Utah DBA protect my business name?

No. A DBA registers the name for public notice but does not create a legal entity, does not provide liability protection, and does not give exclusive rights to the name. For exclusive brand rights, consider a state or federal trademark.

Q: How long does a Utah DBA last?

A Utah assumed name registration is valid for three years from the date it is filed. To keep it active, you renew it with the Division of Corporations & Commercial Code, generally for a $27 renewal fee, before it expires.

Q: Can a sole proprietor file a DBA in Utah?

Yes. Both individuals (including sole proprietors) and registered entities such as LLCs and corporations can file a Utah assumed name under Utah Code § 42-2-5 when they do business under a name other than their own legal name.

Fact-checked by the LegalGlass editorial team against primary sources · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Last updated Aug 6, 2026

You register a Utah DBA (assumed name) with the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code for a $22 fee, and the registration is valid for three years under Utah Code § 42-2-5. A DBA lets you do business under a name other than your legal name, but it is not a separate legal entity and gives no liability protection.

Quick Answer

What it is: DBA / assumed name (doing business as) - a name registration, not an entity
Agency: Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code
Filing fee: $22 (valid three years)
Renewal: Renew every three years (about $27)
Statute: Utah Code § 42-2-5
Protection: No liability shield and no exclusive name rights

What a DBA Is in Utah

A DBA - short for “doing business as” - is a public registration of a name that a business uses instead of its own legal name. Utah calls it an assumed name or simply a DBA. Under Utah Code § 42-2-5, a person or entity that transacts business under an assumed name must file that name with the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code. Unlike most states that require DBAs at the county level, Utah handles assumed names at the state level through the same Division that registers LLCs and corporations.

A DBA does not create a company. It simply tells the public who is behind a trade name. If you want a legal entity with a liability shield, you form an LLC or corporation instead - see how to form an LLC in Utah. For the national explanation of the concept, see what a DBA is.

Who Needs to File a Utah DBA

You file a Utah assumed name whenever you do business under a name that is different from your legal name. That covers several common situations:

A sole proprietor operating under a brand name rather than their personal name (for example, “Jane Smith” doing business as “Wasatch Web Design”).
An LLC or corporation that wants to run a product line, storefront, or brand under a name other than the exact name on its Certificate of Organization.
A partnership operating under a firm or trade name.

If your single-member LLC or multi-member LLC simply operates under its registered legal name, you do not need a DBA. You only register one when you use a different public name. Banks also frequently require a filed DBA before they will deposit checks made out to a trade name.

How to File and the $22 Fee

To register a Utah DBA, file the assumed name (business name registration) with the Division of Corporations & Commercial Code and pay the $22 filing fee. You will provide the assumed name you want to use, the legal name and address of the individual or entity that will use it, and (for entities) the registered entity number. The Division reviews the name for availability against existing records before accepting it.

You can file online through the Division's business services or by mail using its DBA application. Because the assumed name is a public record, keep the details accurate and update them if your business address or ownership changes. Confirm the current fee on the Division's fee schedule before filing, since state fees can change.

Utah DBA Fees (2026)

The table below lists the state fees connected to a Utah assumed name, verified against the Utah Division of Corporations fee schedule. Amounts are set by the state. For the broader cost of running a Utah business, see Utah LLC cost.

Item	Filing	Fee (2026)	Term
Register a DBA / assumed name	Assumed name registration	$22	Three years
Renew a DBA / assumed name	Renewal	About $27	Three years
Federal EIN (if needed)	IRS Form SS-4	$0 (free)	-
Sales tax license (if selling)	Utah Tax Commission (TC-69)	$0 (free)	-

Confirm the current renewal amount with the Division before you renew; the exact figure appears on the official fee schedule.

A DBA Is Not an LLC or a Trademark

It is important to understand what a DBA does not do. A Utah assumed name:

Is not a legal entity. It provides no liability protection. If you want your personal assets separated from business debts, form an LLC or corporation.
Is not a trademark. Registering a DBA gives public notice but not exclusive rights to the name. For enforceable brand rights, consider a state or federal trademark; see also how to trademark a business name.
Does not change your taxes. A DBA does not alter how the underlying owner or entity is taxed; see business tax.

Because a DBA and an LLC solve different problems, many owners do both: they form an LLC for the liability shield and register a DBA when they want to market under a second brand.

Renewing and Changing a Utah DBA

A Utah assumed name registration is valid for three years from the date it is filed. To keep it active, you renew it with the Division of Corporations & Commercial Code - generally for about a $27 renewal fee - before it expires. If you let it lapse, the name may become available to others, and you would need to re-register to continue using it.

If your business stops using the assumed name, you can cancel it with the Division. If ownership or the legal entity behind the name changes - for example, a sole proprietor converts to an LLC - update or re-file the DBA so the public record shows the correct owner. For an LLC that is winding down entirely, see how to dissolve an LLC in Utah.

Taxes, Licenses, and Bank Accounts With a DBA

A DBA on its own does not register you for taxes or licenses. If you sell taxable goods or services, you still register for a Utah sales tax license (free) with the Utah State Tax Commission, and if you have employees or are a multi-member entity you still get a free EIN from the IRS. When the IRS or a state form asks for your legal name, use the individual's or entity's legal name, not the DBA.

Utah has no statewide general business license, but most cities and counties require a local business license, and regulated professions are licensed separately - see business licenses in Utah and the national business license overview. Banks typically ask for the filed DBA before they will accept deposits payable to a trade name, which is one of the most common practical reasons to register one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a DBA cost in Utah?

A Utah assumed name registration costs $22 and is filed with the Division of Corporations & Commercial Code. It is valid three years and renews for about $27. See what a DBA is.

What is a DBA called in Utah?

An assumed name or DBA. It is a state-level business-name registration under Utah Code § 42-2-5, not a separate legal entity.

Do I need a DBA for my Utah LLC?

Only if you want to operate under a name different from your LLC's legal name. Otherwise the LLC can use its registered name without a DBA.

Does a Utah DBA protect my business name?

No. A DBA gives public notice but no liability protection and no exclusive rights. For exclusive brand rights, consider a trademark.

How long does a Utah DBA last?

Three years from filing. Renew it with the Division before it expires to keep it active.

Can a sole proprietor file a DBA in Utah?

Yes. Both individuals and registered entities can file a Utah assumed name under § 42-2-5 when doing business under a name other than their own.

Sources

Utah Code - § 42-2-5, Business under assumed name - Certificate filed with Division of Corporations.
Utah Code - Title 42, Chapter 2, Conducting Business Under Assumed Name.
Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code - DBA / Assumed Name.
Utah Division of Corporations - Fee Schedule (PDF) ($22 assumed name registration; renewal).
Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code - Division home and business search.
Utah Code - § 48-3a-201, Certificate of organization (LLC formation, for contrast).
Utah State Tax Commission - Create & Manage a Tax Account (free sales tax license).
Justia - Utah Code § 42-2-5 (annotated).
Cornell Legal Information Institute - Trademark (Wex).
Cornell Legal Information Institute - Limited liability company (LLC).
IRS - Business name change (DBA and legal name).
IRS - Get an Employer Identification Number (free EIN).

LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and fees change; verify current requirements with the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code before acting.