After completing the application, submit the assumed name certificate. Filing methods include mailing the form, submitting it online, or filing in person. The certificate is typically filed with the county clerk’s office in the county where the business operates, or with the state’s Secretary of State, or sometimes both, depending on local regulations. Upon successful submission, the filing authority usually provides confirmation, such as a file-stamped copy or an official filing receipt. Filing fees generally range from $10 to $150, with many states charging between $20 and $50. An assumed name certificate is necessary when a business operates under a name other than its legal name.
Certificate of Assumed Name for Domestic and Foreign Limited Liability Companies
Filings must be made in the county where the business has its primary operations. The state doesn’t require centralized registration at the Secretary of State level for assumed names, emphasizing the importance of engaging with local county offices directly. Each county may have additional procedural requirements or forms, necessitating verification of local regulations. Filing for an assumed name certificate allows businesses to operate under a name that differs from their legal name, providing greater flexibility for branding and marketing. It helps build recognition by creating a name that resonates with customers and fits the business’s identity. Registering an assumed name also ensures compliance with local laws, protecting the business from legal issues.
Filing a DBA in Texas does not give your business exclusive assumed name certificate rights to that name, and any other business (or several) can use the same DBA. You can find out if another business is using the name you want by searching state or county records. Because a DBA is not a business entity, you do not need a separate EIN for the business you do under your DBA. You can register as many DBAs as you like in Texas, but you have to file a separate certificate and pay the fee for each name. Businesses are not required to include an entity identifier such as “LLC,” “Ltd,” “Inc,” or “Corp” as part of their DBA but are prohibited from using an identifier that does not apply to their business. A DBA (“doing business as” name) is any name you choose to operate under that isn’t your legal business name.
What states call the filing varies — e.g., assumed name certificate, DBA filing, fictitious name registration, trade name registration, or some version of those names. Using an assumed name without proper registration can result in penalties, fines, or legal disputes, especially if another business claims rights to the name. Businesses may also face difficulties enforcing contracts or pursuing legal action if the name isn’t properly registered. Failure to comply with state or local requirements can lead to loss of credibility with vendors, clients, and banks. Proper registration protects the business’s legal standing and ensures compliance, reducing the risk of litigation or operational disruptions.
Failing to renew means the certificate becomes void, and the business will be out of compliance. The method of submission varies depending on whether you are filing with a County Clerk or the Texas Secretary of State, as each office has its own procedures for accepting documents and fees. This guide clarifies the correct steps for your business structure to ensure legal compliance. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA, or more formally known as Public Law ) implements some tax code changes that could have a significant impact on businesses and their owners. Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the OBBBA contains a combination of new tax…
It’s important to carefully follow state-specific guidelines and review all documentation before submission to avoid costly errors. An assumed name allows a business to operate under a name different from its legally registered name. This is especially useful for sole proprietors and partnerships that want to do business under a more marketable name without forming a separate corporation or LLC. The Tarrant County Clerk’s office will acknowledge signatures with a valid photo Driver’s License, State ID, U.S. Passport or Military ID card. If more than one person is to be listed on the certificate, all parties must be present at the same time. Applicants may conduct business under multiple assumed names, but each name must be filed separately.
These businesses will need to provide the chosen assumed name, the legal name and residential address of each owner, and the business’s principal office address. The specific form is obtained directly from the County Clerk’s office or its official website. The application typically asks for the business address, which should be a physical street address rather than a post office box. The type of business entity, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation, must be specified. A description of the nature of the business or the services provided under the assumed name is also requested.
Assumed Names
Once you do register this new name, you’ll be granted a certificate of assumed business name. Tarrant County provides the information contained in this website as a public service. However, in any case where legal reliance on information contained in these pages is required, the official records of Tarrant County should be consulted. Tarrant County is not responsible for the content of, nor endorses any site which has a link from the Tarrant County website.
- Use this form to cancel a certificate of Assumed Name that’s currently on record.
- If any business information changes, such as the business address, the assumed name itself, or the ownership structure, an amendment to the certificate is typically required.
- Here are some common reasons why small businesses would complete assumed name registration.
- Most counties will have an assumed name certificate that you can fill out and submit to the county clerk’s office.
- Many states require businesses to file an assumed name certificate to officially register this name.
- An Assumed Name Certificate in Texas is valid for a term of up to 10 years from the date it is filed, with the specific duration stated on the certificate.
Any Assumed Name certificate that expires as a result of failing to file the annual renewal, may be reinstated by filing the annual renewal and paying the applicable fee. The certificate for a person or General Partnership needs to be filed with the County Clerk in the county where you maintain your business or where you conduct business. Filing the document is required by state law before any person or business conducts any business in Texas under an assumed or fictitious name. This is required so that consumers and customers of the business know who to sue if there is a problem.
- Indiana law provides certain exceptions to the requirement of filing an assumed name certificate.
- These certificates serve as a protective measure for consumers, allowing them to identify the true owner of a business, which is significant in transactions involving goods and services.
- Although filing an assumed name does not create a legal entity, it can have legal consequences if you fail to follow the state’s rules.
- Registering a DBA allows businesses to operate under a different name without forming a separate legal entity.
If you’re ready to file for an assumed name, our DBA formation service makes the process simple and stress-free, ensuring everything is completed correctly from start to finish. In the case of a sole proprietorship or partnership, the legal name is the name of the owner or partners. Maintaining a Certificate of Assumed Name involves ongoing compliance to ensure the business’s public record remains accurate.
An assumed name certificate application typically requires the full assumed business name, the legal name of the owner(s) or legal entity, and the primary business address. Some applications may also request a brief description of the business. Official application forms are available from the relevant filing authority, such as a county clerk’s office or the state’s Secretary of State website. Indiana law provides certain exceptions to the requirement of filing an assumed name certificate. For example, sole proprietorships and partnerships using the owner’s full legal name do not need to file an assumed name, as the business identity is inherently linked to the individual.
Understand the legal identity and public transparency requirements for businesses operating under a different name. Businesses that neglect to file the necessary documentation risk facing fines and penalties imposed by local authorities. While Indiana law does not specify a fixed penalty for failing to file an assumed name certificate, counties may impose their own fines.
Many jurisdictions require periodic renewal of the certificate, which can be on an annual, biennial, or other set schedule. Failure to renew can result in the expiration of the assumed name registration, potentially leading to non-compliance. Using the registered legal name of an incorporated business entity—the name listed on an LLC’s or corporation’s Certificate of Formation—is not allowed. Keep in mind, the use of a marketing or trade name does not change the personal assets liability of this type of business entity as it would if you are forming an LLC or corporation. Filing an assumed (or fictitious) business name is often another hassle you probably don’t need.
Incorporated entities submit Form 503 to the Secretary of State by mail, fax, or through the SOSDirect online portal. If submitting by mail, a check or money order should be included, while faxed submissions require credit card information on a separate form. Online filings are paid directly through the portal, often with a small processing fee. If a business uses an assumed name without registering it or otherwise ignores the state’s statutes, it may face monetary or even criminal penalties. Also, neglecting to have certification to use a fictitious name may mean the business will be unable to enforce a contract or bring a lawsuit in the state.