An assumed name is a DBA (doing business as) in New York. Obtaining a DBA registration in New York 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.
To begin with a New York DBA, choose your business entity type:
Partnership or sole proprietorship (if your business is not a formal structure)
Corporation, LLC, or LLP (if your business has a formal structure such as LLC or corporation)
In New York, file a DBA for a sole proprietorship or general partnership.
General partnerships and sole proprietors must register their New York DBA with the County Clerk in the county in which their business is situated. Estates and real estate investment trusts must also register with the county.
A general partnership is a company created by two or more persons that does not have a formal corporate structure. A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business held by a single person. In either scenario, the company name is the same as the proprietors’ names. In these circumstances, a DBA might be advantageous for altering the company name to a more marketable one.
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.
To register a New York assumed name for your company, follow our How to Get a DBA in New York article below. Check out our other How to Get a DBA tips for a look at DBA filing in another state.
Step 1: Conduct a New York Assumed Name Search.
New York assumed names must be distinct and comply with the state’s business name standards.
To begin, go to the New York Department of State’s website and look for your new DBA name to ensure it isn’t already in use.
Review the New York naming criteria next. In New York, assumed names should NOT contain the following:
Words that may cause confusion between your company and a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.)
Restricted terms (for example, bank, attorney, university) that may need extra documentation and the participation of a licenced professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, in your transaction.
Step 2: File a DBA with the County Clerk in New York.
To operate under a DBA, sole proprietors and partnerships must submit a business certificate with the relevant county clerk’s office(s).
Sole proprietors and partnerships must file in any county where they conduct or transact business.
In New York State, regardless of the name they operate under, ALL PARTNERSHIPS must file a “Business Certificate for Partnerships” with the relevant county clerk’s office(s). Continue reading for details on how to complete this step.
We will walk you through the process of obtaining a New York County DBA (Manhattan). Please contact your county clerk for guidance in other counties.
The New York State Association of Counties has contact information for your counties.
Contact Information for Filing a DBA in NYC:
(347) 404-9750, Kings County
(718) 590-3648 Bronx County
(718) 675-8910 Richmond County
(718) 298-0601 Queens County
(646) 386-5955 in New York County
How to Register a DBA in New York County
It is a good idea to search the New York County assumed name records before beginning the DBA registration procedure. The assumed name records may be located in the basement of the New York County courthouse on 60 Centre Street in Manhattan.
For partnerships, the business certificate is X-74, and for sole proprietorships, it is X-201. Business Certificate forms are NOT provided by the county. It is recommended that business owners obtain them in the foyer of the Manhattan Supreme Court or at a legal stationery shop.
Control Your New York County DBA
DBA Concerns
For general concerns concerning company certificates, assumed names, and DBA regulations, contact NY County at (646) 386-5955.
Renewal of Your DBA
Your New York County business certificate never expires.
Modify Your DBA
To update your business certificate, go to the County Clerk’s office and fill out an amendment form. The paperwork will be provided by the New York County Clerk, and the registration cost is $121. Call (646) 386-5955 to check the procedure and requirements for the kind of modification required before going to the County Clerk’s office.
Remove Your DBA
The Certificate of Discontinuance of Assumed Name Form must be filed with the New York County Clerk. Call the county clerk at (646) 386-5955 for instructions on how to get this form.
Create a DBA in New York for an LLC, Corporation, or LLP.
The Certificate of Assumed Name is filed with the New York Department of State by incorporated firms.
The following sorts of businesses are considered incorporated:
Corporations, both for profit and non-profit
Professional Corporations and Associations
Limited Partnerships, often known as Limited Liability Partnerships,
Companies with Limited Liability
Entities Filing from Outside the U.S.
Step 1: Conduct a New York Business Entity Search.
New York assumed names must be distinct and comply with the state’s business name standards.
To begin, go to the New York Department of State’s website and look for your new DBA name to ensure it isn’t already in use.
Review the New York naming criteria next. In New York, assumed names should NOT contain the following:
Words that may cause confusion between your company and a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.)
Restricted terms (for example, bank, attorney, university) that may need extra documentation and the participation of a licenced professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, in your transaction.
Step 2: Submitting Your Certificate of Assumed Name in New York
If your company is incorporated, you must register your DBA with the New York Department of State.
A copy of the certificate of assumed name form must be printed. The form will request your new DBA name as well as company details.
Additional Fees Only for Corporations
$100 for each New York City county where the business is or will be done (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond Counties)
$25 for each county outside of New York City where the business is or will be performed.
$1,950 for all New York State counties and the Certificate of Assumed Name.
Payment
Cash, check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express are all acceptable methods of payment. Make checks and money orders payable to the “Department of State.”
You must complete and sign the Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form and return it to the Division of Corporations with your Certificate of Assumed Name if you use a credit card via mail or fax.
Cash should never be sent. All checks worth more than $500 must be certified.
Manage Your New York State DBA
DBA Concerns
To learn more about DBA regulations, contact the New York Department of State at (518) 473-2492.
Renew Your Business Name with the State
Your Certificate of Assumed Name has no expiration date.
Modify Your DBA
You must complete and submit the Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Assumed Name form to make changes to your Certificate of Assumed Name.
Remove Your DBA
You must complete and submit the Certificate of Discontinuance of Assumed Name form to withdraw or cancel your Certificate of Assumed Name.