Many merchants are unsure which name to use — especially if their business name appears differently on tax documents, bank accounts, signage, or marketing materials.
This guide explains the difference and how to complete this section accurately.
🏢 What Is a Legal Name?
Your Legal Name is the official name of your business as registered with the government.
This is the name that appears on:
Tax filings (EIN documentation, CRA/IRS records)
Articles of incorporation or business registration
Government-issued documents
Official contracts
✅ In most cases, your Legal Name should match your tax documents exactly.
Do not shorten, abbreviate, or modify this name unless it is written that way on your official registration documents.
🏷️ What Is a DBA (Doing Business As)?
Your DBA is the name your business operates under publicly.
This may be:
The name on your storefront
The name customers recognize
A shortened version of your legal name
A branded or trade name
Examples:
Legal Name | DBA |
1234567 Ontario Inc. | Lakeside Marina |
Smith Dental Professional Corporation | Smith Dental |
International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 50 | IUEC Local 50 |
Your DBA is what customers typically see on receipts or recognize as your business name.
💡 Why This Matters
The Legal Name is used for:
Compliance and underwriting
Tax reporting
Identity verification (KYC)
Matching government records
The DBA is used for:
Customer-facing receipts
Statement descriptors
Reporting visibility
If the Legal Name does not match official records, your application may be delayed due to verification issues.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Name Mismatches
Some merchants experience confusion because:
Their tax documents show one name
Their bank account shows a shortened or slightly different version
Their marketing materials use a branded name
Example:
A business may be registered as:
“International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 123”
But their bank account may show:
“IUEC Local 123”
In this case:
Use the full tax-registered name as the Legal Name
Use the shortened banking or operating name as the DBA
This helps avoid matching issues during underwriting and bank verification.
📝 How to Complete the Application Correctly
When filling out your merchant application:
Step 1: Enter the Legal Name
Copy it exactly as it appears on your tax registration documents.
Do not abbreviate unless the abbreviation is part of the registered name.
Step 2: Enter the DBA (if applicable)
Enter the name customers know your business by.
If your Legal Name and operating name are identical, you may enter the same name in both fields.
📌 Still Unsure?
If you’re not sure which name to use:
Refer to your tax registration or incorporation documents.
Check your EIN / CRA / IRS confirmation letter.
Contact your accountant or business administrator.
Entering the correct Legal Name and DBA helps prevent delays in processing your merchant application.