DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It's the name a business uses publicly that's different from its official, registered legal name. DBAs are also sometimes called trade names, fictitious business names, or assumed names, depending on the state.

For example, if someone registers a Sole Proprietorship under their legal name "Jane Smith" but wants to operate a bakery called "Sunrise Bakery," they would file a DBA for "Sunrise Bakery."

DBA names are commonly used when sole proprietors or partnerships want a more professional or descriptive brand name, or when an existing corporation wants to operate a division under a different name. Filing a DBA is typically done at the county or state level. This doesn't create a separate legal entity, it's a registration that links the public-facing name back to the legal owner.

When completing your credit application, you can add your DBA name under the Business Details section. If you do not use a DBA name, you can move on to the Business Location field.