The Trade Name form to be filed with the SoS states that the trade name must be different than the legal name. So I would think John Doe dba John Doe Plumbing would not need to file. But would he file if only part of his legal name is used, such as Doe Plumbing?

I am responding as "ghost writer" for Pauli Loeffler:

If it is a sole proprietorship and is not a separate legal entity, e.g., an LLC using the SSN of the sole member, there is no requirement under Oklahoma law that a trade name filing be done.

Thank you for your reply. I understand that the State doesn't require the filing, but my bank does.

Wouldn't you just require a Certificate of Fictitious Name filed at the county level?

Not according to policy.

Well, this is a self imposed issue on which you are going to have to decide. Requiring customers to do things that are not legally required of them is not putting the bank in a very good position. I would just go the bank on the next corner.

Sometimes, banks are just confused about why they require something to begin with.

You ask for a copy of the DBA registration to verify that the customer has the legal right to use the name on the account title and the payee line on the check. You do that because you are going to guarantee every endorsement using that name. If you identified the individual who is using his or her own name, you already know whose endorsement you are guaranteeing and are assured of his or her right to use that name.