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Assumed Name Certificate

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ASSUMED NAME CERTIFICATE

This Assumed Name Certificate is executed on this day by and between Registrant Name: and Filing Agent Name: for the purpose of registering an assumed name for use in the conduct of business in County: , State: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Registrant conducts or intends to conduct business and desires to adopt and use an assumed or fictitious business name in lieu of the registrant's true legal name for purposes of conducting business within the jurisdiction identified above; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth the assumed name to be used, the principal place of business, the owner(s) of the business, the type of business entity and other particulars necessary for proper filing and public notice; and

WHEREAS, Registrant affirms that the statements contained in this Certificate are true and made under penalty of perjury to the best of Registrant's knowledge and belief.

NOW, THEREFORE

1. ASSUMED NAME

Registrant hereby adopts the assumed name under which registrant will conduct business: . The assumed name shall be used in connection with the business described below and for all lawful purposes permitted by applicable law.

2. LEGAL NAME OF OWNER(S)

Legal name of registrant (owner or primary entity):

3. PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS

4. TYPE OF BUSINESS ENTITY

Select the form of ownership under which the assumed name will be used:

Individual / Sole Proprietor    Partnership    Corporation    Limited Liability Company (LLC)    Other:

5. NATURE OF BUSINESS

6. COMMENCEMENT OF USE; DURATION

The assumed name was first used on: . Unless otherwise provided by law, this Certificate shall continue in effect until cancelled in accordance with applicable statutes.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Registrant represents and warrants that the facts set forth in this Certificate are true and correct; that no material fact has been omitted; and that the use of the assumed name will not infringe or violate the rights of any person or entity. Registrant further warrants that Registrant is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the owner(s) of the business.

8. FILING AND PUBLICATION

Registrant agrees to comply with all requirements for filing, publication and public notice required by law. Registrant acknowledges that it is the registrant's responsibility to ensure proper filing with the appropriate jurisdiction and any required publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and to maintain accurate records of the filing.

9. NOTICES

Any notice required or permitted under this Certificate shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or when deposited with the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid, addressed to the registrant at the principal place of business or to any address provided in writing by the registrant. Notice address for registrant:

10. GOVERNING LAW

This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State identified above, without regard to principles of conflicts of law, and any dispute arising under or related to this Certificate shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in the county specified herein.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY; AMENDMENT

This Certificate constitutes the entire written statement of the registrant with respect to the assumed name and supersedes all prior oral or written statements. If any provision of this Certificate is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. This Certificate may be amended only by a written instrument signed by the registrant and filed in accordance with applicable law.

12. CERTIFICATION

The undersigned certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State identified in this Certificate that the information contained herein is true and correct. The person signing on behalf of any entity warrants authority to execute this Certificate on behalf of that entity.

Registrant Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Filing Agent / Authorized Representative:

By:

Date:

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What an Assumed Name Certificate Is and when it’s used

An Assumed Name Certificate (commonly called a DBA or Doing Business As) is a public filing that registers a trade name used by a sole proprietor, partnership, or other business entity. The certificate clarifies who operates under the assumed name, which helps banks, vendors, and regulators match business activity to a legal owner. Filing requirements and the filing office vary by state or county; many jurisdictions require registration before using the trade name in commerce. The certificate does not create a separate legal entity but notifies the public of the name behind the business.

Why registering an assumed name matters for business operations

Registering an Assumed Name Certificate creates public notice of who is operating under a trade name, allows opening bank accounts and accepting payments in that name, and helps avoid disputes over name use. It supports contract clarity and reduces the risk of misdirected notices or tax issues by linking the trade name to a legal owner.

Why registering an assumed name matters for business operations

Who typically files an Assumed Name Certificate

Common filers include small-business owners who operate under a trade name that differs from their legal name.

  • Sole proprietors using a storefront or brand name separate from their legal name.
  • Partnerships registering a business name for client-facing activities.
  • LLCs or corporations that want to market under a trade name without forming a new entity.

Different entity types follow different filing paths; check the local county clerk or state filing office for the correct form and process.

Step-by-step: complete and submit the Assumed Name Certificate

Follow these essential steps to prepare and submit a valid filing in most U.S. jurisdictions.

  • 01
    Confirm name availability: Search county/state records to ensure the trade name is not already in use.
  • 02
    Complete the form: Fill every required field using the exact legal and trade names.
  • 03
    Notarize if required: Obtain notarization or witness signatures where the jurisdiction mandates them.
  • 04
    File and publish if required: Submit to the county clerk or Secretary of State and follow any publication steps.

How to configure an online filing workflow for the certificate

Set up a straightforward digital workflow to reduce errors and speed filing.

Field mapping Map form fields to your business data for repeatable filings.
Name verification Include an automated search step for name availability checks.
Signature capture Require signer name, signature, and date fields to be completed.
Notary step Insert a conditional notarization step where the state requires it.
Delivery options Send a filed copy to owner email and store in secure records.

Typical eSubmission process for an Assumed Name Certificate

The digital filing flow mirrors the paper process while adding validation and tracking.

  • Upload form: Start by uploading the jurisdiction-specific certificate template.
  • Place fields: Add name, address, signature, and date fields on the PDF.
  • Add signer: Assign the owner or authorized party to sign electronically.
  • Submit and track: Send to the filing office or print for in-person filing; keep the audit trail.

Technical considerations for digital completion and storage

Ensure the platform supports PDF, DOCX, secure e-signatures, and integrations required for your workflow.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms supported.
  • Integrations: Connectors for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, NetSuite.
  • Security: TLS and AES encryption in transit and at rest.

Core parts of a professional Assumed Name Certificate

A complete certificate contains standardized fields that establish identity, location, and the effective date of the assumed name.

Registered Trade Name

The precise assumed name used in commerce; must match business signage, bank accounts, and marketing materials.

Legal Owner

The full legal name of the person or entity legally responsible for the business operations under the assumed name.

Business Address

A physical street address for service of process and public records; some states limit use of P.O. boxes.

Filing Jurisdiction

The county or state office where the certificate is submitted; jurisdiction determines publication and notarization rules.

Signatures and Dates

Signed by the owner or authorized agent; date format should be MM/DD/YYYY and may require notarization.

Publication or Notice

If required, attach proof of newspaper publication or filing receipts as part of the record.

Required information typically requested on the certificate

Assumed name: Exact trade name
Owner legal name: Person or entity name
Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Business activity: Short activity description
Effective date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Signature: Owner signature and date

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the certificate

  • Using an informal or inconsistent trade name across documents leads to banking and vendor rejections and complicates tax reporting.
  • Failing to confirm jurisdictional filing office can cause a rejected filing or missed publication requirements that void the registration.
  • Omitting notarization or witness signatures where required creates uncertainty about enforceability and may force re-filing.
  • Neglecting to update the record after an ownership change leaves inaccurate public records and may expose owners to liability.

Potential consequences of incorrect or missing registration

Fines: Local civil penalties possible
Banking problems: Unable to open accounts in the trade name
Tax complications: TIN mismatches and withholding risk
Contract disputes: Contracts may be unenforceable under trade name
Liability exposure: Misleading public records increase risk
Re-filing costs: Additional fees and administrative delay

Timing considerations and expected processing windows

Timing varies by jurisdiction; plan filings before you start using the trade name to avoid compliance gaps.

When to file:

File prior to using the trade name in commerce in most jurisdictions

Publication timing:

If required, publication often occurs immediately after filing and runs for a specified number of weeks

Processing time:

Clerks typically process filings within days to a few weeks depending on volume

Renewal intervals:

Some states require renewal every few years; check the filing office for interval

Updates and amendments:

File amendments promptly for changes to owner, address, or trade name

Comparing eSignature vendor pricing and basic capabilities

Basic plan pricing and feature availability vary; signNow appears first in the comparison to show starting price and common capabilities.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently asked questions about Assumed Name Certificates

Answers to common questions about filing, notarization, e-signing, amendments, and revocation for Assumed Name Certificates.


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