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Five assumed business name mistakes North Carolina owners make
North Carolina's DBA system is county-based but statewide in effect. Most mistakes come from treating it like a state filing, or like a filing needed in every county.
Where
County Register of Deeds
Fee
$26
Names per certificate
Up to 5
Statute
G.S. 66-71.4
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
1. Sending it to the Secretary of State
Assumed names are recorded by a county Register of Deeds, not the Business Registration Division.
Official source2. Filing in every county
One county where you do business is enough; list the others on the certificate.
Official sourceSolve this in 5 minutes
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
3. Adding "LLC" to a sole proprietor's name
G.S. 66-71.5 bars entity endings unless you are that kind of entity.
Official source4. One certificate per brand
Up to five names fit on one certificate.
Official source5. Not withdrawing when you stop
File a withdrawal with the same county, citing the book, page and SOS ID (G.S. 66-71.8).
Official sourceFrequently asked questions
How much does an NC DBA cost?
$26 to record at the Register of Deeds. Some counties add an e-filing vendor fee.
SourceReady when you are
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.