A trade name or fictional name is a North Dakota DBA (doing business as). A trade name or fictitious name registration in North Dakota permits a business to operate under a name other than its legal name.
DBA registration in North Dakota will not safeguard your personal assets. 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 Trade Name in North Dakota
It is simple to register a North Dakota trade name or fake name, often 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 North Dakota in Two Easy Steps:
Begin by doing a North Dakota trade name or fictitious name search.
Create a North Dakota 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 trade name or fictitious name search in North Dakota.
North Dakota trade names and fictitious names must be distinct and comply with the state’s business name standards.
To begin, go to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website and look for your new DBA name to ensure it isn’t already in use.
Review the North Dakota naming regulations next. Trade names and fake names in North Dakota should NOT include:
Unless the company is genuinely an LLC, corporation, etc., any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc.
Words implying that the firm was formed for illegal purposes.
Step 2: Create a North Dakota DBA.
DBAs in North Dakota are classified into two sorts: fake names for partnerships and trade names for all other types of enterprises (corporations, LLCs, etc.).
Trade names and fictitious names in North Dakota may be filed online with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
The following information is required on the Trade Name Registration form:
The registered trade name
The kind of entity that is registering the trade name
Whether a franchisor will utilise the trade name
The company’s description
The following information is required on the Fictitious Partnership Name Certificate form:
The registration of a false name
Partnership Type
The company’s description
Partners’ names
A DBA does not provide legal 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.
General Concerns
Call the Secretary of State of North Dakota at (701) 328-2904.
Renew Your Trade Name or Fake Name with the State
Your North Dakota fictitious or trade name is valid for five years from the date of registration. Renewal paperwork will be sent by the Secretary of State at least 60-90 days before the expiry date.
Change Your Business or Fake Name
You must cancel your existing registration and register a new one to modify your trade name.
Withdraw Your Trade Name or Fake Name
There is no trade name cancellation form available from the Secretary of State. The registrant must prepare a cancellation request and send it to the Secretary of State, along with a $10 fee.