The Proper Way to File a Mississippi DBA

Being a business owner in Mississippi? Do you want to manage it using a prospective name? You have an excellent opportunity to acquire a business and to conduct activities of a sole proprietor under the (DBA) name.

The process of obtaining a DBA for any official business is simple, but it requires considering several nuances. In addition, owners should be aware of the rules for using the new name registered. So, we have prepared a step-by-step guide to use the DBAs in the state under the question.

It is essential: the sole proprietor must understand that he will not receive limited liability protection, as is the case with an LLC. There are no restrictions on the number of DBAs in an LLC. You won’t experience any difficulties while doing it yourself. However, the greater the number of additional names, the more difficult it is to keep accounting correctly. Therefore, hiring an LLC website is the very best idea!

Mississippi DBA Application Process

Applying for a DBA in Mississippi is also not complicated by the additional workloads. As in other states, applicants must first ensure that the selected trade name is not in use by other businesses and perform a business entity search.

In this way, they will be able to make sure that registration will occur without complications and that they will be the only owners of this DBA name in Mississippi.

Online registration is not yet possible, according to the Secretary of State’s report. However, applicants can request a blank copy of the registration form on the Secretary of State’s website. You will need to click the following tabs:

1. Business services.
2. Fees and forms.
3. Other documents.

Next, you must specify:

• The legal name of the company/enterprise;
• Mississippi company/business identification number (for corporations and LLCs incorporated in that state);
• If necessary, you need to present a certificate of authority to do business in Mississippi (if you organized your company’s activities out of state);
• Provide a clear list of all companies and subsidiaries that use your trade name or fictitious DBA;
• Describe the nature and scope of your company;
• Applicant’s contact details and address.

Applicants also need to pay $25. All documents and payment receipt can be sent by mail:  Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State P.O. Box 136 Jackson, MS 39205-0136.

Mississippi DBA: The Essence

At the initial stage of doing business, entrepreneurs usually use only one type of economic activity. But in the future, there is a need to diversify risks and expand the company.

So, you have to choose: open a new legal entity or apply to DBA? Sole proprietors and general partnerships may use names that differ from the owner’s name.

Limited liability companies and corporations can use several DBAs at once to have the official registered identification of their activities. Why do Mississippi companies acquire DBAs? The answer lies on the surface:

1. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are a guarantee that your company is conducting official activities. A professional company will attract many more potential clients than a company that has just its name. The company can also obtain a bank account using the DBA. This way, you can separate personal assets and business. It will also be more comfortable for customers, as each sole proprietorship prefers to receive invoices in the company’s name.
2. Corporations and LCCs use registered DBAs to use different names within the same trademark. DBA also helps to separate subsidiaries from the parent corporation. For example, this technique is prevalent in the restaurant business. One owner opens several restaurants that are unrelated. Thus, it doesn’t matter what your marketing or accounting goals are! DBAs are advisable in any case, and most importantly, they make doing business very comfortable.

So, DBA in Mississippi is the best opportunity for companies to make their image brighter and more recognizable. They can use a variety of tools to express themselves without wasting time on paperwork.

A Mississippi DBA Validity Period

The Mississippi Secretary of State says that you can register for the DBA for five years. Moreover, if you want to extend this period, you have the right to do so.

One should apply for an extension to the office of the Secretary of State. It is necessary to make it no later than six months after the expiration of the previous DBA. Each such application automatically means a new five-year term for the trade name.

Hiring a Professional DBA Filing Service: The Necessity

You do not need to register for a DBA yourself, as there are quite a few companies that provide this service at a professional level. They know all the subtleties. So, you will get a positive result the first time. Of course, their services are not free. They will collect all the documents on their own, and you will only need to provide them with some data. So, it’s up to you to decide what you want: save your time or money.

It is worth noting again that the requirements for obtaining a DBA in Mississippi are simple, and many companies fill out the official form online on their own. But if you are still too busy or are afraid to make a mistake, you can turn to LegalZoom, for example. The fees you will have to pay are very fair, and it is worth spending that money!

Final Thoughts

It makes sense to register a DBA when you need to separate several areas of business. Such a solution will make it possible to assess efficiency better, improve the quality of control over certain types of activities.

Rational use of “Doing business as” to promote a new product on the market – allows you to analyze the consumers’ reaction and not spend money on opening a new legal entity. To file a DBA will not cause additional complications.

FAQ Section

Can I get legal protection from the DBA?

– No, you cannot. DBA registration does not provide for the security of business from the point of view of jurisdiction. Personal asset protection is available through a corporation or limited company.

Is there a need for a registered agent when creating a DBA?

– If you acquire the DBA names as a sole proprietor or are a general partnership – you do not need a registered agent. However, companies and limited liability corporations must have a registered agent. The presence of DBA in the latter case does not matter.

Can different companies use the same name?

– A DBA application does not guarantee that your business will have exclusive rights to a fictitious name. The law does not prohibit all interested LLCs or corporations from using your registered name.

Is there a requirement by the State of Mississippi to publish the DBA name?

– No, you don’t. Unlike some other states that require a new DBA to be published in a newspaper, Mississippi does not have this requirement.