Assumed Business Names Manual
Who should use the assumed business name form?
This form should be used by anyone, including individuals, businesses, and legal entities, seeking to do business in the State of North Carolina using a name other than their own legal name.
This form should not be used for political committees or referendum committees who must file a statement of organization with either the State Board of Elections or a County Board of Elections per GS 163-278.7 or GS 163-278.9.
Am I required to use this form? Can I modify it to fit my specific needs?
While this form is not mandatory, it has been designed to include all of the information that must be provided by law. You can create your own form, but it must include all of the information that is required by law.
Note: if you create your own form, the register of deeds standards require the first page of any document to have 3” top margin to provide space for their recording information; subsequent pages only require ½” margin at the top. You can find more information on registers of deeds’ filing standards.
Where do I file my assumed business name certificate?
You can file an assumed business name certificate in your local register of deeds’ office. Your certificate will be recorded and indexed in that county. It will also be uploaded to a statewide database of assumed business name information housed at the NC Secretary of State’s office.
Do I have to file an assumed business name in each county that I want to conduct business in?
No, beginning December 1, 2017 your certificate can be effective for multiple counties. When you file, you have the option of selecting all 100 counties, or you may list one or more counties in which you want to do business. New forms that allow you to easily indicate which counties you wish to conduct business are available on the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s (EDPNC) Business Forms page.
Do I have to pay multiple filing fees if I choose to conduct business in more than one county?
No, the filing fee is not affected by how many counties in which you choose to operate. You pay the same fee if you name one or 100 counties on your assumed business name certificate. You can find more information about registers of deeds’ filing fees at the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds’ Recording Fees page.
What if someone else is already using the name I intend to use?