Washington D.C. DBA Search
Fictitious & Assumed Name Filing
LLCs and corporations register a DBA in Washington D.C. through DC Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection. NAMECHECK50 checks that registry — and every other state’s — in one 90-second search.
Search Washington D.C. + all 50 states →$7.50 per search · No subscription · Credits never expire
Where a Washington D.C. DBA Actually Gets Filed
An LLC or corporation registering a DBA (also called a fictitious name or assumed name) in Washington D.C. files with DC Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
Because this is a state-level filing, it’s the same registry NAMECHECK50 queries as part of its standard 50-state search — there’s no separate county-level lookup required for the entity-level DBA in Washington D.C..
Why Check Before You File
Washington D.C.does not reject a DBA filing simply because it resembles another registered name the way it might for an entity name — but using a name that’s already active elsewhere exposes you to cease-and-desist letters and possible common-law trademark claims. Checking first is cheap; rebranding after building brand equity around a conflicting name is not.
Run the check across all 50 states, not just Washington D.C. — a name clear in Washington D.C. could still be active in another state, which matters if you ever expand, franchise, or want to protect the name more broadly. See our DBA name search page for the full workflow, or the trademark clearance search guide for the federal layer.
Washington D.C. Business Entity Search
If you’re forming a new LLC or corporation in Washington D.C. rather than filing a DBA for an existing one, see the dedicated Washington D.C. business entity search page for filing fees, agency details, and the full formation-clearance workflow.
Check your Washington D.C. DBA name — plus all 49 other states
Real-time data from DC Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection and every other state registry. $7.50 per search.
Start your search →Frequently asked questions
Is a DBA in Washington D.C. filed with the state or a county?
For an LLC or corporation, Washington D.C. DBA (fictitious or assumed name) filings go through DC Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection. This is a state-level filing, not a county one. NAMECHECK50's 50-state search covers this layer directly.
Can NAMECHECK50 check if a DBA name is taken in Washington D.C.?
NAMECHECK50 searches Washington D.C.'s official state business registry in real time, alongside all 49 other states, in one 90-second search for $7.50. Because Washington D.C. registers DBAs at the state level, a name already in use as a registered entity or assumed name in Washington D.C. will show up in the results.
What does a "clear" result mean for a Washington D.C. DBA?
A clear result means no entity or registered assumed name matching your proposed DBA appears in Washington D.C.'s official registry at the time of the search. It does not constitute a trademark clearance opinion, and it does not guarantee approval by DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — always confirm availability immediately before filing, since registries update continuously.
Do I still need to check other states if I'm only filing a DBA in Washington D.C.?
Yes, for the same reason a single-state entity search is incomplete: a DBA that's clear in Washington D.C. could conflict with an entity or DBA registered elsewhere, creating brand confusion or trademark exposure if you ever expand. A 50-state search costs the same $7.50 as checking one state manually would cost in time.