Greensboro · Guilford County
Starting a business in Greensboro: LLC filing, assumed names and local rules
Your company is formed once with the NC Secretary of State ($125). If you trade under a brand, record an assumed name with the Guilford County Register of Deeds for $26. Greensboro does not issue a general business license.
State filing
$125 (G.S. 57D)
Assumed name
$26, Guilford County
Local license
None (zoning applies)
LLC annual report
$200, April 15
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.
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.
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.
Doing business in Greensboro
A Triad hub with logistics near PTI airport, universities including UNC Greensboro and NC A&T, and manufacturing.
Greensboro does not issue a general business license. Zoning and building permits are the local checkpoint for a new location.
Official sourceRecording an assumed name in Guilford County
Guilford County Register of Deeds: 201 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27401 (recording on the second floor); branch at 325 E. Russell Ave., Room 155, High Point, NC 27260. Phone: 336-641-7556.
Recording is $26 for the first 15 pages. Guilford also accepts new assumed name certificates online through its vendor for a $15 convenience fee ($41 total); amendments and withdrawals still go in person, by mail or by eRecording.
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.
Step-by-step in Greensboro
- Search the name.
- File with the Secretary of State ($125).
- Record an assumed name at 201 W. Market St. ($26, or $41 e-filed).
- Get an EIN and NCDOR registration.
- Clear zoning for the location.
The e-filing convenience fee
Guilford's online DBA filing adds a $15 vendor fee. Walking it in or mailing it costs $26.
Worked example: A freight brokerage starting near PTI airport
Freight brokers also need federal operating authority; the state LLC does not provide it.
Next year: the LLC annual report is $200 (plus $3 online) by April 15. We file it for $149 plus the state fee.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corp USA Pro package | $349 |
| NC Articles of Organization (state fee at cost) | $125 |
| Assumed name certificate, county recording fee | $26 |
| Known day-one total | $500 |
Doing it yourself vs. having us file
| Task | On your own | With Corp USA |
|---|---|---|
| Name check and Articles | You, with the Business Registration Division | We prepare and file the same day |
| Registered agent | Your address goes public | Our NC address, $199/yr |
| Assumed name | You, at the county | $149 + $26 |
| April 15 annual report | You | We track and file |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Greensboro privilege license?
No. Cities stopped levying general privilege license taxes in 2015.
SourceCan I record my DBA in High Point instead?
Yes, Guilford's High Point branch records assumed names too.
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.
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.