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We handle your DBA
project from conception through maintenance. We navigate registration requirements across state lines,
check name availability, prepare and file DBA registrations, track renewals, and prepare and file
renewals.
Access to a compliance specialist who consults with you on your
project
Complete document preparation, filing, and follow-up with
government
agencies through approval
Full transparency of your project status and renewal tracking via
the new DBA List feature in our software
Businesses often use assumed names to operate under multiple names while maintaining a single legal
entity. Other terms used to describe an assumed name include: fictitious name, doing business as
(DBA),
or trade name. The process of adopting an assumed name varies by where you operate, but
registrations
are typically filed with the secretary of state or at the county level.
Most states require companies using an assumed name to register, however, 13 states (Alabama, Alaska,
Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, and
Wyoming) do not have a state filing requirement. Firms in these states may need to register their
assumed name at the local level instead.
In addition to state filing requirements, 21 states also have county assumed name registration
requirements. Depending on the legal structure of your business (e.g. LLC, corporation), a business
may need to register an assumed name with the state and county or just the county. Sole
proprietorships
and general partnerships are more likely to need a county assumed name registration than other
business
structures.
After registering an assumed name, seven states require the company to publish their assumed name in
a
newspaper or legal publication. These states are California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota,
Nebraska, and Pennsylvania.
Assumed name registration generally provides little protection against another business using the
same
name. Several states guard registered assumed names by refusing overly similar names, but only
Alaska
and North Dakota provide exclusive name rights with registration.
The majority of states that require registration of assumed names also require renewal of assumed
name
registration. Typically assumed names need to be renewed every five years, but other states have
renewal
cycles ranging from every one to ten years.
Harbor Compliance can handle all of your DBA registrations, renewals, and requirements monitoring so that you can get back to business.
Learn more here.
Fictitious business names are filed with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office in the county of the principal place of business in California. There is no state-level fictitious name registration.
If you do not have a place of business in California, file with the Clerk of Sacramento County.
You may need to register in multiple jurisdictions.
If you need state-wide registration, consider filing a California trademark instead.
Annually by the first day of the month following the registration anniversary month. For example, if a trade name for a general partnership was filed on June 15, 2023, the trade name will expire on July 1, 2024 unless it is renewed first.
Annually by the first day of the month following the registration anniversary month. For example, if a trade name for a general partnership was filed on June 15, 2023, the trade name will expire on July 1, 2024 unless it is renewed first.
In Georgia, trade name registrations are filed in the county where business activity principally takes place. There is no state-level trade name registration.
Domestic firms should file in the county of their legal domicile.
Corporation and LLC assumed name registrations expire on calendar years that are divisible by 5. Renewals must be filed by the first day of the anniversary month of the corporation. County level assumed names do not expire, but you may need to reregister when business information changes.
In Massachusetts, business certificate registration is filed with the city or town clerk's office. There is no state-level fictitious name registration.
$25 for LLCs and limited partnerships. Corporation fees are $25 + $100 for each county within New York City and $25 for each county outside of New York City.
In North Carolina, assumed name registrations are filed with the county register of deeds. There is no state-level assumed name registration, however, entities conducting business in more than one county can designate multiple counties with one filing.
The registration of a trade name or a report of a fictitious name is effective for five years. The registration must be renewed at some point within the six months before the registration expires.
The registration of a trade name or a report of a fictitious name is effective for five years. The registration must be renewed at some point within the six months before the registration expires.
Filing fees depend on your individual situation. We do our best to calculate your filing fees
upfront and collect those fees today so we can get started. Your specialist will determine your
exact filing fees and invoice additional fees if required.
