If you are wondering how to file a DBA (Doing Business As) in North Dakota. This guide will help you through the process step by step. So whatever the purpose is of getting an assumed business name in ND, this guide contains all the information.
Important! Please keep in mind that DBA is not a business structure, so it won’t protect you from liabilities, lawsuits, or any other unforeseen situations. DBA stands for Doing Business As. – often precedes the name under which a business operates, which is not the legal name of the business.
Therefore, before starting, make sure you understand the difference between informal business structures such as sole proprietorship and formal ones like corporations and LLCs.
To register or renew the trademark, trade name, or service mark for your company in North Dakota you need to file the application to the Secretary of State. Here is what you need to do:
North Dakota Business Entity Search
Your company’s trade name should be unique and have not been acquired by any other entity in North Dakota. Moreover, this name must also meet the business name requirements of North Dakota.
First, you have to search theNorth Dakota Secretary of State’s website for the DBA, Business, & Fictitious names. Check the portal thoroughly to know whether the name that you wish to have for your business has already been taken by someone or not. Make sure, this name isn’t already in use.
Note: You can also find a complete guide on business name search here.
Once you are done searching, the next step is to review the naming requirements of the state of North Dakota. In general, your DBA should not include:
- Any term or abbrevation that indicates that your business has been established for unlawful purpose
- LLC, Incorporated, Corp., or any business entity suffix unless the business is actually an LLC or corporation.
Register Your North Dakota DBA ($25)
Businesses That Register DBA as Fictitious Name
North Dakota partnerships are required to file their DBA as a fictitious name with the secretary of the state. The following types of partnerships can file fictitious names in ND:
- General partnerships
- Limited Partnerships (LPs)
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
- Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLPs)
You can file ND Fictitious Partnership Name Certificate online or download the Fictitious Name Certificate form and send it to:
Fictitious Name Filing Address:
Secretary of State
State of North Dakota
600 E Boulevard Avenue Dept 108
Bismarck ND 58505-0500
Businesses that Register DBA as Trade Name
The following businesses need to register their DBA as trade names with the North Dakota Secretary of State:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- For-profit Corporations
- Nonprofit Corporations
- Any Foreign Filing Entities
File a North Dakota Trade Name Online With Cyberdrive North Dakota or download the Assumed Name Certificate Application and send it to
DBA Filing Address:
Secretary of State
State of North Dakota
600 E Boulevard Avenue Dept 108
Bismarck ND 58505-0500
Top Tip:
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The following information must include in the North Dakota trade name form:
- Your business name and adress
- Owners/partners of the business and addresses
- Entity type (eg; LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation)
- Trade name’s description
Renew, Change or Withdraw Your North Dakota DBA
Renew Your Fictitious Name With the State
Certificate of North Dakota Assumed Business Name expires after 5 year of DBA registeration. You will be notified by the secretary of state, North Dakota 2 or 3 months before your DBA expires via email. You will get your DBA renewal form attached to the email which you need to fill and return.
Change Your Fictitious Name
If you wish to make changes in your North Dakota assumed business name, you need to cancel the previous registration and file a new DBA.
Withdraw Your Fictitious Name
There is no form for Cancellation of DBA. You need to write an application to secretary of state to cancel the trade or fictitious name in North Dakota with $10 as processing fee.
