DoorWorthy

Who needs a trade name registration (DBA) in Alabama?

Issued by Alabama Secretary of State, Trademarks Section, at step 1 of 6 in the opening sequence: set up the business.

Every kind of business in Alabama

The Alabama table lists this for every kind of business.

Alabama does not require a trade name to be registered: a business may trade under a name other than the owner’s or the LLC’s registered one without filing anything. Registration puts the name on the state record and must be filed after the name is already in use. Banks often ask for it before opening an account in the trade name.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 1 of 6: Set up the business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Alabama Secretary of State, Trademarks Section.

Sources and dates

Code of Alabama 8-12-6 through 8-12-10 (trade name registration); Secretary of State trademarks and trade names pages. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.