Assumed Names (DBA)

Statewide Changes to Filing Assumed Business Names Forms Effective 12/1/17

North Carolina law requires individuals, limited and general partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and other persons that engage in business in this state under an assumed name to file a certificate with a register of deeds in a county in which the person or entity will be engaging in business.


EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2017, certificates must comply with content and execution requirements specified in the statutes for a certificate of assumed business name. The requirements are different than they were for a certificate of assumed name recorded under prior law.


Amendments to and withdrawals of certificates of assumed business names also must comply with new content and execution requirements.

Certificates of assumed business names and amendments to and withdrawals of them will be transmitted into a statewide, central database maintained by the N.C. Secretary of State, which will be available for searches by the public. A single registration can be effective for multiple counties. The Secretary will maintain a website for this purpose at www.sosnc.gov/abn/search

The Secretary will assign an identification number (SOS ID) to each assumed business name that is recorded, to which amendments and withdrawals must refer.

Compliant blank forms are available for a new business, for an amendment or for a withdrawal or may be downloaded from Business Link North Carolina at https://edpnc.com/start-or-grow-a-business/start-a-business/business-forms/

Instructions for completing the forms can be downloaded for new businesses, amendments and withdrawals.

Certificates of assumed names filed under the prior law will EXPIRE DECEMBER 1, 2022. Someone desiring to engage in business in N.C. under the assumed name after that date must file an assumed business name certificate in the new form.

FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSUMED BUSINESS NAMES, AMENDMENTS, AND WITHDRAWALS REVIEW

N.C Session Laws 2016-100 and 2017-23

(codified at Article 14A of Chapter 66 of the N.C. General Statutes)

Register of Deeds Office Role

The Register of Deeds office cannot provide legal advice such as what structure your business should take, what forms may need to be filed or how to complete each form. 

Helpful Links

When you are starting your own business or need to file an Assumed Name, please visit the following links for more information as well as forms.

 You may also be interested in the following.

Incorporate Your Business

If you wish to incorporate your business, please visit the Secretary of State's website for more information or call 919-807-2225.