A trade name is a Delaware DBA (doing business as). A Delaware trade name registration permits a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.
Your personal assets will not be protected if you register a Delaware DBA. Forming a formal company structure, such as an LLC or corporation, can provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.
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Register a Delaware Fake Name
It is simple to register a Delaware trade name, commonly known as a DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. A DBA does not safeguard your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we highly advise that a DBA be utilised exclusively by a formal company structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing firm.
If you operate an informal company (sole proprietorship or partnership), we highly advise you to create an LLC to keep your business and personal assets distinct. The name of the LLC might be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.
Learn How to File a DBA in Delaware in Two Easy Steps:
Begin by doing a Delaware Trade Name Search.
Create a Delaware DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. To keep your company and personal assets distinct, we propose incorporating an LLC.
Step 1: Conduct a Delaware Trade Name Search.
Your Delaware trade name must be distinct and fit Delaware’s company name standards.
Before you file, you must check the state’s records to ensure that your exact name is not already in use. You must also examine any state naming regulations.
Your Delaware business name should NOT contain:
Unless the company is genuinely an LLC, corporation, etc., any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc.
Unless the firm is authorised as a bank by the state, the term “bank” or any variant. However, if the context clearly does not relate to a banking company or misleads the public about the nature of the firm, the term “bank” or any variant may be used.
We suggest that you check to see whether your name is accessible as a web domain (URL). You may not want to launch a company website right now, but you may wish to prevent others from gaining your URL.
Step 2: Create a Delaware DBA.
Delaware trade names are registered with the county or counties in which your firm operates.
A DBA does not provide any protection for your personal assets if your company is sued. Visit our How to Form an LLC page and choose your state for additional information on forming a limited liability corporation.
Obtaining a DBA from the County Clerk
The state of Delaware manages DBA rules, therefore the processes for obtaining a DBA are comparable from county to county.
Delaware’s three counties all utilise the same trade name registration form.
How to Register a Delaware Doing Business As
Delaware trade names must be registered in each county in which your firm operates. You may accomplish this by mailing or visiting the County Clerk’s office and submitting the Registration of Trade, Business, and Fictitious Name Certificate. Notarization is required for the certificates.
Reminder: Before filing, you must verify Delaware’s trade name records to ensure that your name is not currently in use.
Control Your Delaware DBA
DBA Concerns
If you have any questions, please contact your county office:
(302) 255-0825 in New Castle
Kent: (302) 735-1900
(302) 735-1900 Sussex
Renew Your DBA in Delaware
It is not necessary to renew your Delaware trade name.
Change Your DBA in Delaware
Fill out the Supplemental Change Form to make changes to your DBA. There is a filing cost of $25.
Remove Your Delaware DBA
Fill out the Termination Affidavit Form to terminate your trade name.