Can I sign the transfer electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but confirm the receiving agency accepts e-signed filings and whether additional authentication or notary is required.

Is notarization required for transfer?

Notarization is uncommon but jurisdiction-dependent. Some counties or states require acknowledgement or a notary; verify with the county clerk or Secretary of State before submitting.

What if the new owner is an LLC or corporation?

Provide the entity's full legal name, state of formation, and registration number when available. Corporations and LLCs may need to file at the state level rather than the county level.

How do I notify banks and vendors?

Provide certified copies of the recorded transfer and updated formation documents; banks may require board resolutions, updated EIN details, or proof of authority to make account changes.

What happens if I fail to file the transfer?

Failure to record a transfer can result in disputes over name ownership, inability to enforce contracts under the assumed name, and administrative fines in some jurisdictions.

How do I cancel or reverse a transfer?

Reversal typically requires a corrective filing or an assignment back from the transferee; consult local filing rules and consider legal counsel to document the cancellation.

Electronic Signature
Templates
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Transfer of Assumed Name

Transfer of Assumed Name

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

TRANSFER OF ASSUMED NAME
FOR A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

1. The assumed name being transferred is:

2. The business is a check one:

Sole Proprietorship Partnership Limited Partnership

3. The certificate of assumed name was originally filed in North Carolina on , County,

4. The effective date of the transfer is

5. The following persons have ceased engaging in business under the aforementioned assumed name (name and address of all owners of said business - owners for sole proprietorship, general partners for partnerships):

6. The name and address of the transferee(s) of said assumed name is (are):

In witness whereof, this certificate is signed by each transferor of said business, this

Transferor Signature

Printed Name

This filing does not relieve transferee(s) of the obligation to file a Certificate of Assumed Name.

State of

County of

I, , a Notary Public, do hereby certify that on this

personally appeared before me and acknowledged the execution of the foregoing instrument for the purpose therein expressed.

Witness my hand and official seal, this the

Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

North Carolina - County

The foregoing certificate of

Notary(ies) Public is (are) certified to be correct. The instrument and this certificate are duly registered at the date and time and in the book and page shown on the first page hereof.

Register of Deeds

By

Assistant/Deputy Register of Deeds

After recording return to:

What the Transfer of Assumed Name Means

A Transfer of Assumed Name documents the change in ownership or control of a business operating under a trade name (a "doing business as" or DBA). It records that rights to use the assumed name move from one owner or entity to another and notifies state or county filing offices and third parties such as banks and vendors. Depending on jurisdiction, transfers require a formal filing with a county clerk or state business registry, publication in a local newspaper, and correct identification of both the prior and new owner to preserve contractual and statutory protections.

Why Completing a Transfer Matters

Transferring an assumed name protects customer recognition, preserves banking and contract continuity, and avoids liability for use by the incorrect legal entity. Proper filing also clarifies tax and licensing responsibilities and reduces the risk of disputes over name ownership.

Who Typically Prepares a Transfer of Assumed Name

The form is used when ownership of a DBA changes due to sale, merger, restructure, or membership change in an LLC.

Small business owners and sole proprietors who have sold or assigned a trade name and must update public records and bank accounts.
Legal and accounting professionals preparing transfers as part of M&A, succession, or tax compliance work.
Franchisees, real estate managers, and service providers needing to align contracts and permits with the new legal owner.

Filing ensures public notice and helps preserve contractual rights and statutory protections tied to the assumed name.

Core Parts of a Professional Transfer Document

A complete Transfer of Assumed Name includes identity details, a clear transfer statement, dates, signatures, and required filing information so that the receiving agency can record the change without delays.

Prior Name

Full original assumed name exactly as previously filed, including punctuation and capitalization, to match the existing public record.

New Owner

Legal name and entity type (individual, LLC, corporation) of the transferee, including state of formation and registration number if applicable.

Transfer Statement

A concise declaration that the prior owner transfers all rights in the assumed name to the new owner, specifying whether transfer is by sale, assignment, merger, or other means.

Effective Date

The date when the transfer takes effect; use MM/DD/YYYY and ensure it aligns with any purchase or assignment agreement.

Filing Details

Name of the filing county or state agency, filing address, and any required publication or acknowledgement steps that follow submission.

Signatures

Signature blocks for transferor and transferee, with printed names, titles, and dates; include notary or witness area if the jurisdiction requires authentication.

Essential Filing and Compliance Items

Legal Name: Exact registered owner name

Assumed Name: Exact DBA as filed

Entity Type: Sole proprietor, LLC, corp

Filing Jurisdiction: County or state agency

Authentication: Notary or witness if required

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Step-by-Step: Completing and Filing the Transfer

Follow these steps to prepare, authenticate, and record the Transfer of Assumed Name with minimal delays.

01

Gather documents: Collect prior filing, assignment agreement, owner IDs.
02

Complete form: Enter legal names, effective date, and transfer statement.
03

Authenticate: Sign in presence of notary/witness if required.
04

Submit filing: File with county or state office and follow publication steps.

Customizing an Online Transfer Workflow

Configure the digital workflow to match jurisdictional steps and signer roles before sending the document for signature.

Field	Configuration
Signature placement	Assign signer roles for transferor and transferee
Authentication	Use email + SMS or KBA where required
Notary / RON	Enable RON or attach notary block if allowed
Publication steps	Add task reminder for required newspaper notice

Where to File and How the Record is Updated

Filing location depends on the state and the type of owner; confirm the correct agency before submission to ensure acceptance.

County clerk filings: Common for sole proprietors and local DBAs.
State registry filings: Corporations and LLCs often file with Secretary of State.
Publication requirements: Some jurisdictions require newspaper notice after filing.
Bank and vendor notice: Provide copies to banks and contracting parties.

Digital Signing and System Considerations

Electronic execution speeds transfer and produces an audit trail, but platform settings must match legal and jurisdictional rules.

File formats: PDF or DOCX accepted
Integrations: Connect to Google Workspace, NetSuite, Salesforce
Authentication: Enable SMS, email, or advanced methods

Confirm the receiving agency accepts e-submissions and whether the jurisdiction requires in-person notarization or allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) before completing the workflow.

Timing, Renewal and Publication Considerations

Deadlines for posting, renewal, and effectiveness vary by state and county; verify local rules to avoid missed publication or renewal obligations.

Effective date of transfer:

Often the filing acceptance date or the stated effective date on the form.

Publication window:

Some counties require publication within a fixed period after filing.

Renewal or expiration:

Renewal periods differ by state; check local registry for expiration rules.

Processing time:

Agency turnaround ranges by jurisdiction; electronic filings are typically faster.

Bank and vendor updates:

Allow extra days for institutions to process name-change documentation.

Common Risks and Penalties from Incorrect Transfers

Name dispute: Loss of exclusivity or trademark conflicts

Bank account issues: Inability to access or update accounts

Tax complications: Incorrect reporting or withholding problems

Fines and penalties: Local civil penalties or administrative fines

Contract risk: Difficulty enforcing contracts in wrong name

Fraud exposure: Undisclosed transfer may trigger liability

Pricing and Feature Comparison for eSignature Providers

Basic pricing and common feature availability across leading electronic signature vendors. Confirm plan details with each vendor for exact feature sets.

	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 plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA required)	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about transferring an assumed name, authentication, and filing nuances to help avoid delays and rejections.

Need help? Contact support

Can I sign the transfer electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but confirm the receiving agency accepts e-signed filings and whether additional authentication or notary is required.
Is notarization required for transfer?
Notarization is uncommon but jurisdiction-dependent. Some counties or states require acknowledgement or a notary; verify with the county clerk or Secretary of State before submitting.
What if the new owner is an LLC or corporation?
Provide the entity's full legal name, state of formation, and registration number when available. Corporations and LLCs may need to file at the state level rather than the county level.
How do I notify banks and vendors?
Provide certified copies of the recorded transfer and updated formation documents; banks may require board resolutions, updated EIN details, or proof of authority to make account changes.
What happens if I fail to file the transfer?
Failure to record a transfer can result in disputes over name ownership, inability to enforce contracts under the assumed name, and administrative fines in some jurisdictions.
How do I cancel or reverse a transfer?
Reversal typically requires a corrective filing or an assignment back from the transferee; consult local filing rules and consider legal counsel to document the cancellation.

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