{
  "batch": "6612-adult-safety-stage-names-and-legal-name-separation",
  "articles": [
    {
      "id": "learn_r6612_adult_safety_stage_names_and_legal_name_separation_sba_dba_definition",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA.gov: DBA / trade name / assumed name definition",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA defines a DBA as also known as a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name that must be registered with the state, county, or city where the business is located.",
      "body": "SBA defines a DBA as also known as a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name that must be registered with the state, county, or city where the business is located.\n\nWhat U.S. Small Business Administration actually says:\n\n“You might need to register your DBA — also known as a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name — with the state, county, or city your business is located in. Registering your DBA name doesn't provide legal protection by itself, but most states require you to register your DBA if you use one. Some [business structures](#business-structure) require you to use a DBA.”",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-10",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "U.S. Small Business Administration",
      "evidence_quote": "You might need to register your DBA — also known as a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name — with the state, county, or city your business is located in. Registering your DBA name doesn't provide legal protection by itself, but most states require you to register your DBA if you use one. Some [business structures](#business-structure) require you to use a DBA.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6612-adult-safety-stage-names-and-legal-name-separation",
      "subject": "SBA.gov",
      "topic": "DBA / trade name / assumed name definition",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "access.signup",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "thin_body",
          "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6612_adult_safety_stage_names_and_legal_name_separation_sba_dba_bank_account",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA.gov: DBA and EIN enable business bank account",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA states that getting a DBA and a federal tax ID number (EIN) allows you to open a business bank account.",
      "body": "SBA states that getting a DBA and a federal tax ID number (EIN) allows you to open a business bank account.\n\nWhat U.S. Small Business Administration actually says:\n\n“As an added bonus, getting a DBA and [federal tax ID number (EIN)](#tax-ids) allows you to open a [business bank account](#bank-account).”",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-10",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "U.S. Small Business Administration",
      "evidence_quote": "As an added bonus, getting a DBA and [federal tax ID number (EIN)](#tax-ids) allows you to open a [business bank account](#bank-account).",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6612-adult-safety-stage-names-and-legal-name-separation",
      "subject": "SBA.gov",
      "topic": "DBA and EIN enable business bank account",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "money.payout",
          "access.signup"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "thin_body",
          "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6612_adult_safety_stage_names_and_legal_name_separation_sba_entity_name_state_protection",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA.gov: Entity name protects business name at state level",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA states an entity name protects the business name at a state level and is how the state identifies the business.",
      "body": "SBA states an entity name protects the business name at a state level and is how the state identifies the business.\n\nWhat U.S. Small Business Administration actually says:\n\n“An entity name can protect the name of your business at a state level. Depending on your [business structure](#business-structure) and location, the state may require you to register a legal entity name. Your entity name is how the state identifies your business.”",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-10",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "U.S. Small Business Administration",
      "evidence_quote": "An entity name can protect the name of your business at a state level. Depending on your [business structure](#business-structure) and location, the state may require you to register a legal entity name. Your entity name is how the state identifies your business.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6612-adult-safety-stage-names-and-legal-name-separation",
      "subject": "SBA.gov",
      "topic": "Entity name protects business name at state level",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "access.signup",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "thin_body",
          "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r6612_adult_safety_stage_names_and_legal_name_separation_sba_sole_prop_legal_name_no_registration",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA.gov: Sole proprietor using legal name does not need to register",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] SBA states that if you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won't need to register anywhere.",
      "body": "SBA states that if you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won't need to register anywhere.\n\nWhat U.S. Small Business Administration actually says:\n\n“In some cases, you don't need to register at all. If you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won't need to register anywhere. But remember, if you don't register your business, you could miss out on personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax benefits.”",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-10",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "U.S. Small Business Administration",
      "evidence_quote": "In some cases, you don't need to register at all. If you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won't need to register anywhere. But remember, if you don't register your business, you could miss out on personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax benefits.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "6612-adult-safety-stage-names-and-legal-name-separation",
      "subject": "SBA.gov",
      "topic": "Sole proprietor using legal name does not need to register",
      "applies_to_country": "US",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "access.signup",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "thin_body",
          "source_unverifiable:fetch_failed:budget"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    }
  ]
}