DBAs

[Sirrus]

Looking for a less time consuming method for filing a DBA, I was considering using a site such as
http://www.legalzoom.com/pricing/dbas_pricing.html

Has anyone else ever used a service to file their DBA? Is it really worth the price/time saving?

If you are running two separate entities (ie two different names), should you only file one DBA if the other entity can be considered a division?

Thanks,

Alex
weaponstudios.com
dopefarmer.com
injoygames.com

[dogbert]

Looking for a less time consuming method for filing a DBA

What's time consuming about it where you are? For me, all it took was going to my local courthouse & filing some paperwork. Took about 10 minutes, not counting the time to drive there & back.

[Coyote]

My state has the filing all online, so I didn't even need to do that. Fill out the info on the web form, handle online payment of the license fee, and viola!

The local business license requires a courthouse visit, but it's local... and cheap... and pretty easy.

Yeah, I wouldn't bother with a service for setting up a sole proprietorship / DBA... if anything it sounds like it might COST you time as well as money. Besides, $99 is about TWICE what the state fee is here in Utah. Unless you are looking for some form of investment capital (which - if that were the case - you'd probably be doing something OTHER than a DBA / Sole Proprietorship) and wanted to look more professional, I can't possibly see getting enough value out of that fee to justify it.

[Sirrus]

Good point, thanks.

[Mithril Studios]

It cost me $10 to file with the state, and I did it online.

Anthony

[GameStudioD]

In California: You must pay the County Clerk Office a fee and then have the business name printed in a newspaper once a week for 4 consecutive weeks.

Honestly, for $99 this isnt bad. I made 2 trips to the clerks office. Once to turn in the form and then come back after I have published my business name. Do you know how bad parking is by City Hall? Plus, I had to pay to have the name printed in a newspaper.

If I knew about this earlier, I would have paid the $99.

[C.S.Brewer]

I just did this yesterday,
took just a few minutes, $28 to the city, and another $28 to the newspaper who will then send the info back to the county clerk and to me so you shouldn't have to go do it yourself.

btw the newspaper you publish in makes a huge difference in price, the ones I called ranged anywhere from $28 to $99 to publish for 4 weeks.

I don't think I would pay $99 for a service to do this for me, but then again I live about two blocks from the county clerk's office :)

-c

[robleong]

Here in San Diego, it's easier and cheaper. The County Clerk's office is open on Saturday and parking is free. Newspaper ad costs $15 or thereabouts, I get a 'free' daily business newspaper to read for 3 months, and they'll send the info back to the County Clerk so I do not need to make another visit. So in my case, I wouldn't pay $99.