Alabama DBA (Doing Business As) Guide (2026)
Alabama does NOT require sole proprietors to register a DBA (assumed name). Only LLCs, corporations, and foreign entities must register with the Alabama Secretary of State. The formation fee is $200, and name reservation is $25.
The one thing to knowSole proprietors do not need to register a DBA in Alabama.
The process
- Determine if you must register
Only LLCs, corporations, and foreign entities must register; sole proprietors do not.
- Reserve your name (optional)
Name reservation with the Secretary of State is $25.
- File with the Secretary of State
Business entity filings are handled by the Alabama Secretary of State; the formation fee is $200.
DBA filing by county — all 67 Alabama counties
Business entity DBA filings are handled statewide by the Alabama Secretary of State, not by county offices.
| County | Where to file |
|---|---|
| Autauga County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Baldwin County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Barbour County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Bibb County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Blount County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Bullock County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Butler County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Calhoun County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Chambers County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Cherokee County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Chilton County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Choctaw County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Clarke County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Clay County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Cleburne County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Coffee County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Colbert County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Conecuh County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Coosa County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Covington County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Crenshaw County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Cullman County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Dale County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Dallas County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| DeKalb County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Elmore County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Escambia County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Etowah County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Fayette County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Franklin County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Geneva County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Greene County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Hale County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Henry County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Houston County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Jackson County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Jefferson County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lamar County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lauderdale County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lawrence County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lee County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Limestone County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Lowndes County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Macon County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Madison County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Marengo County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Marion County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Marshall County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Mobile County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Monroe County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Montgomery County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Morgan County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Perry County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Pickens County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Pike County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Randolph County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Russell County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Shelby County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| St. Clair County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Sumter County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Talladega County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Tallapoosa County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Tuscaloosa County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Walker County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Washington County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Wilcox County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
| Winston County | Filed with the state (not the county) |
Alabama-specific details
Alabama does not require sole proprietors to register an assumed name, so there is no DBA filing for them.
What to bring
- Your entity type (LLC, corporation, or foreign entity)
- $200 formation fee
- $25 for optional name reservation
- Business entity details
Frequently asked questions
Do sole proprietors need a DBA in Alabama?
No. Alabama does not require sole proprietors to register an assumed name.
Who has to register?
Only LLCs, corporations, and foreign entities must register with the Alabama Secretary of State.
How much is the fee?
The formation fee is $200, and name reservation is $25.
Where are business filings handled?
Business entity filings are handled by the Alabama Secretary of State.