L
LexiState
dba guideUpdated 2026-03-31

How to File a DBA in Wyoming (2026)

What Is a DBA in Wyoming?

A DBA (Doing Business As), officially called a trade name registration in Wyoming, is a registration that allows you to operate your business under a name different from your legal entity name. Wyoming requires sole proprietors and LLCs to file a DBA if they conduct business under an assumed name. You file directly with the Wyoming Secretary of State and pay a $100 filing fee. The registration becomes part of Wyoming's public record and provides statewide protection against name conflicts.

When You Need a DBA in Wyoming

You must file a DBA in Wyoming if you operate as a sole proprietor under any name other than your legal name. LLCs also require a DBA if they use a trade name different from their registered LLC name. For example, if you form an LLC called "Mountain Peak Holdings LLC" but want to operate as "Peak Outdoor Gear," you must file a separate DBA for the second name.

Wyoming law treats DBAs as mandatory filings for all business structures operating under assumed names. Even if you use a shortened version of your legal name or a branded variation, you need DBA registration. The requirement applies equally regardless of your business type or industry.

Where to File Your DBA in Wyoming

You file your DBA exclusively with the Wyoming Secretary of State, not with county clerks or local authorities. The Secretary of State maintains the official statewide registry of all trade names, ensuring recognition across Wyoming and preventing name conflicts.

Wyoming Secretary of State Herschler Building East, Suite 101 122 W 25th Street Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020 Phone: (307) 777-7311 Website: https://sos.wyo.gov/ Online Filing: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/Default.aspx Business Search: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx

You can file online through the Wyoming Business Filing System (WyoBiz), submit a paper application by mail, or file in person. Online filing is fastest and provides immediate confirmation.

DBA Filing Fee in Wyoming

The DBA filing fee in Wyoming is $100.00. This flat fee applies to all DBA registrations regardless of your business structure—whether you're a sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, or other entity. The fee is due at the time of filing and must be paid to the Wyoming Secretary of State.

This $100 fee is separate from any other business licensing or registration fees you may owe. If you're forming an LLC and also filing a DBA, you'll pay the LLC formation fee plus the $100 DBA fee separately. Wyoming does not charge renewal fees for maintaining your DBA; you file once and the registration remains active indefinitely unless you formally abandon it.

Required Contents of a DBA Filing

Wyoming requires you to provide specific information when filing a DBA with the Secretary of State. Your filing must include your legal name (individual, LLC, corporation, or other entity), the exact DBA name you wish to register, your business address in Wyoming, a description of your business type or activities, and the effective date of the DBA (typically the filing date).

Contact the Wyoming Secretary of State at (307) 777-7311 or visit https://sos.wyo.gov/ to confirm the exact form requirements and any additional information needed for your specific business structure. The online filing system at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/Default.aspx will guide you through all required fields and prevent submission errors.

DBA Name Requirements and Restrictions

Your DBA must be distinguishable upon the records of the Wyoming Secretary of State from other business names. According to W.S. 17-16-401, your DBA cannot be the same as or deceptively similar to any trademark or service mark registered in Wyoming, or to any other registered business entity name (corporation, LLC, limited partnership, etc.).

Wyoming law does not prohibit specific words in DBAs the way some states restrict terms like "bank" or "insurance." However, your DBA cannot imply that your business is organized under a different legal structure than it actually is. For example, if you're a sole proprietor, your DBA cannot suggest you're an LLC or corporation.

Before filing, search the Wyoming Secretary of State's business name database at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx to verify your chosen name is available. The search is free and takes seconds. If your desired name is unavailable, you must choose a different name or apply for written consent from the existing business owner.

DBA Expiration and Renewal

Wyoming does not require DBA renewal. Once you file your DBA with the Wyoming Secretary of State and pay the $100 fee, your registration remains active indefinitely. You do not need to renew it annually or at any other interval.

Your DBA remains valid until you formally abandon it or the underlying business entity is dissolved. If you want to stop using a DBA, you can file an abandonment notice with the Secretary of State, though this is optional if you simply cease operations. If your business structure changes (for example, your LLC is dissolved), your associated DBA registrations also terminate automatically.

DBA vs. LLC: When to Use Each

A DBA is a fictitious name registration for an existing business entity. An LLC is a legal business structure that provides liability protection and tax flexibility. These serve different purposes and are not mutually exclusive.

Choose an LLC if you want:

  • Legal liability protection (personal assets shielded from business debts)
  • A formal business structure recognized by law
  • Tax flexibility (pass-through taxation or corporate taxation options)
  • Credibility with lenders, investors, and customers
  • Ownership transfer or succession planning

Choose a DBA if you:

  • Already have a business entity (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation) and want to operate under a different name
  • Want to test a new business name without forming a new entity
  • Operate multiple business lines under one entity but want separate brand names
  • Need a simple, low-cost way to register an assumed name

In Wyoming, you can have both: an LLC with a DBA. For example, you might form "Peak Holdings LLC" and file a DBA to operate as "Peak Outdoor Gear." The LLC provides liability protection; the DBA allows you to use a branded business name.

If you're starting a new business and want liability protection, form an LLC first. If you already have a business and want to operate under a different name, file a DBA. If you want both liability protection and a branded name, form an LLC and file a DBA simultaneously.

LLC Naming Requirements vs. DBA

If you form an LLC in Wyoming, your LLC name must include a required designator. According to W.S. 17-29-108, your LLC name must contain one of the following: "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," "L.L.C.," "Limited Company," "LC," "L.C.," "Ltd. Liability Company," "Ltd. Liability Co.," or "Limited Liability Co."

Your LLC name must also be distinguishable upon the records of the Wyoming Secretary of State from other business names as provided in W.S. 17-16-401. You can reserve an LLC name for 120 days for a $60 fee.

A DBA, by contrast, has no required designator and no specific naming restrictions beyond distinguishability and trademark conflicts. Your DBA can be any name that doesn't conflict with existing registrations. This flexibility makes DBAs useful for branding purposes while your LLC maintains its formal legal name.

Publication Requirements for Wyoming DBAs

Wyoming does not require you to publish your DBA in a newspaper or other public notice. Unlike some states that mandate publication in local newspapers, Wyoming's centralized Secretary of State registry serves as the official public notice of your DBA registration.

Your DBA becomes part of the public record immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. Anyone can search the Wyoming business database at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx to find your DBA registration. This online registry provides statewide visibility without additional publication costs or procedures.

How to File Your DBA: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Search the Name Database

Visit https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx and search your desired DBA name. Verify it's available and not deceptively similar to existing registrations. The search is free and instant.

Step 2: Prepare Your Filing Information

Gather your legal name, business address, DBA name, business description, and effective date. Have your payment method ready ($100 filing fee).

Step 3: File Online or by Mail

  • Online (fastest): Go to https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/Default.aspx, create an account, and complete the DBA filing form. Pay the $100 fee by credit card.
  • By Mail: Request a paper form from the Secretary of State at (307) 777-7311 or download it from https://sos.wyo.gov/. Mail the completed form with a check for $100 to: Wyoming Secretary of State, Herschler Building East, Suite 101, 122 W 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020.
  • In Person: Visit the Secretary of State's office in Cheyenne during business hours with your completed form and payment.

Step 4: Receive Confirmation

Online filers receive immediate confirmation. Mail and in-person filers receive written confirmation within 5-10 business days. Your DBA is effective upon filing.

Step 5: Update Business Records

Once your DBA is registered, update your business licenses, bank accounts, contracts, and marketing materials to reflect your new DBA name.

DBA and Business Licensing in Wyoming

Filing a DBA with the Wyoming Secretary of State is separate from obtaining a Wyoming business license. According to Wyoming business formation requirements, sole proprietorships require both a DBA and a business license. Your DBA registration does not automatically grant you a business license.

You must obtain a business license from your local city or county government (or the state, depending on your business type). Contact your city or county clerk's office to determine licensing requirements for your specific business. Some businesses require state-level licenses (such as professional licenses), while others need only local licenses.

The $100 DBA fee covers only the Secretary of State registration. Business license fees vary by location and business type and are paid separately to local or state authorities.

Protecting Your DBA Name

Once registered, your DBA is protected against other businesses using the same or deceptively similar name in Wyoming. The Secretary of State will not approve a conflicting DBA or business entity name. However, this protection is limited to Wyoming and does not extend to federal trademark protection.

If you want nationwide protection for your business name or brand, consider registering a federal trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Federal trademark registration provides protection across all 50 states and U.S. territories and is separate from your Wyoming DBA filing.

You can also monitor your DBA by periodically searching the Wyoming business database to ensure no one has registered a confusingly similar name. The search tool at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx is free and available 24/7.

Abandoning or Changing Your DBA

If you no longer want to use your DBA, you can file an abandonment notice with the Wyoming Secretary of State. This formally terminates your registration and frees the name for others to use. Contact the Secretary of State at (307) 777-7311 for the abandonment form and process.

If you want to change your DBA to a new name, file a new DBA registration for the new name. You do not need to formally abandon the old DBA first, though it's good practice to do so to avoid confusion. The new DBA filing costs another $100.

If your underlying business entity (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship) is dissolved or changes structure, your associated DBA registrations automatically terminate. You do not need to file abandonment notices in these cases.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Confusing DBA with LLC Formation

A DBA is not a business entity; it's a name registration. If you want liability protection, you must form an LLC, corporation, or other entity separately. Filing a DBA alone does not protect your personal assets.

Mistake 2: Assuming County Filing is Required

Wyoming requires DBA filing only with the Secretary of State, not with county clerks. Filing at the county level will not register your DBA statewide and may waste time and money.

Mistake 3: Skipping the Name Search

Always search the Wyoming business database before filing. Filing a DBA for an unavailable name will be rejected, and you'll lose your $100 fee.

Mistake 4: Using a Name Too Similar to Existing Registrations

The Secretary of State may reject your DBA if it's deceptively similar to an existing name. Test your name carefully against the database before filing.

Mistake 5: Forgetting to Update Business Records

Filing a DBA doesn't automatically update your bank accounts, licenses, or contracts. You must manually update all business records to reflect your new DBA name.

Mistake 6: Not Filing a DBA When Operating Under an Assumed Name

Wyoming law requires DBA filing if you operate under any name other than your legal name. Operating without a required DBA violates state law and prevents you from enforcing contracts under your business name.

Mistake 7: Assuming Your DBA Provides Liability Protection

A DBA is purely a name registration and provides no liability protection. Your personal assets remain exposed to business debts and lawsuits. If you need liability protection, form an LLC or corporation.

Mistake 8: Filing Without Confirming Your Business Structure

Ensure you understand whether you're operating as a sole proprietor, LLC, or another entity before filing your DBA. Your business structure affects your tax obligations, liability exposure, and ongoing compliance requirements.

Contact Information and Resources

For all DBA-related questions and filings, contact the Wyoming Secretary of State:

Phone: (307) 777-7311 Website: https://sos.wyo.gov/ Online Filing: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/Default.aspx Name Search: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx Mailing Address: Herschler Building East, Suite 101, 122 W 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020

The Secretary of State's office can answer specific questions about DBA requirements, forms, and procedures. The online filing system includes detailed instructions for each step of the process. Call during business hours or submit written inquiries through the website for assistance with your DBA filing.

Metadata:

  • Title: How to File a DBA in Wyoming (2026)
  • Description: Complete guide to filing a DBA (trade name) in Wyoming. Learn filing requirements, fees ($100), where to file with the Secretary of State, name rules, and step-by-step instructions.
  • Slug: how-to-file-dba-wyoming
  • Schema Type: HowTo
  • Content Type: DBA Guide
  • State: Wyoming
  • Keywords: Wyoming DBA, trade name registration, doing business as, Wyoming Secretary of State, sole proprietor, LLC naming
  • Categories: Business Formation, DBA Filing
  • Reading Time: 12 minutes

Related Pages