So You Wanna Be a Florida Fictitious Name️♀️: A Totally Not Serious Guide to Looking Up DBAs
Ever stumbled upon a cool business name and thought, "Wait, is that even real?" Or maybe you're dealing with a contractor named "Sparkles the Fence Whisperer" and need to confirm their legitimacy (because seriously, that name is either genius or a red flag). Well, fret no more, my fellow Floridian friend! This guide will turn you into a DBA-detective in no time (emphasis on fun, not Sherlock Holmes).
Step 1: Embrace the Sunshine State's Website ([Insert sunglasses emoji here])
Florida, bless its bureaucratic heart, has a website called SunBiz ([insert suspicious squint emoji here]). Don't let the name fool you, it's not a portal to a beach with unlimited piña coladas (although wouldn't that be a dream?). It's actually the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations website, which sounds fancy but basically means it's the record keeper for all things business-related in Florida.
Step 2: Unleash Your Inner Bloodhound (Figuratively, of course)
Now comes the fun part: the search! SunBiz has a nifty search function where you can type in the suspected DBA (Doing Business As) name. Think of it like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you're unearthing the truth about a business name!
Pro Tip: Be specific! If you just search for "Awesome Plumbing," you might get a million results. Try adding the city or county to narrow it down.
Step 3: Decode the SunBiz Speak (Because Government Websites Love Jargon)
If your search yields fruit (or should we say, fictitious fruit?), you'll be presented with a page full of legalese. Don't panic! Look for details like the business owner's name and the filing date. This will confirm if the DBA is legit and who's behind the curtain (so to speak).
Bonus Round: You might even find some juicy details like the type of business they operate. Did "Sparkles the Fence Whisperer" turn out to be a real fence company, or is it a front for a secret glitter operation?
Still Confused? Don't Worry, We've All Been There
SunBiz can be a bit overwhelming at first. But hey, that's why you have this awesome guide (and maybe a friend with a law degree). If you're stuck, there's a handy "Search Guide" on the SunBiz website to help you navigate the legalese jungle.
How To FAQs for the Totally Awesome You:
How to search for a specific DBA by owner name?
Unfortunately, SunBiz doesn't allow searching by owner name directly for DBAs. But you can try searching for the owner's registered business entity (like an LLC) and see if any DBAs are listed there.
How to know if a DBA is still active?
The SunBiz search results should indicate the filing date. If the DBA is active, there won't be an "expired" status listed.
How to find out more about a business beyond the DBA?
SunBiz might offer some basic information, but for a deeper dive, you can try searching the Florida Department of Revenue website or the county clerk's website where the business is registered.
How much does it cost to look up a DBA?
Thankfully, searching for DBAs on SunBiz is completely free!
How to look cool while searching for DBAs?
Easy! Just put on your favorite sunglasses (because Florida) and tell everyone you're a DBA-detective on the case.
