Assumed Name Certificate PDF Details

What Is an Assumed Name Certificate?

A DBA certificate, or doing business as certificate, is a formal legal document that authorizes a business to operate under a trade name different from the owner's legal name or the entity's registered name. In Texas, this document is called an Assumed Name Certificate. Other states may call it a fictitious business name statement or a trade name registration. The filing creates a public record linking the trade name to the actual owner, which protects consumers and supports fair commerce.

Who Needs to File an Assumed Name Certificate?

Any business operating under a name that differs from the owner's legal name or the entity's official registered name must file this certificate. Common examples include:

If your business uses a brand name or trade name that customers recognize, you most likely need a DBA filing. Related documents include a fictitious business name statement or an application for trade name, depending on your jurisdiction.

What Information the Certificate Covers

A completed certificate records the following details about your business:

In Texas, the form must be filed with the county clerk in each county where the business operates. Some entity types also require a state-level filing with the Texas Secretary of State. Filing fees typically range from $15 to $25 per county.

Certificate Validity and Renewal

The certificate remains valid for up to ten years from the filing date. Before expiration, you must renew the filing to keep the trade name legally recognized. Failure to renew may result in the loss of exclusive rights to the name and complications with banking or contracts.

When your business structure changes or ownership shifts significantly, file an amended certificate promptly. If you operate a sole proprietorship or partnership, keeping documents like a sole proprietorship resolution form and a general partnership agreement updated alongside your DBA filing ensures complete legal compliance.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameAssumed Name Certificate
Form Length1 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out15 sec
Other namesassumed name certificate texas, assumed name certificate, assumed name certificate pdf, walker county assumed name certificate

Form Preview Example

FI LI NG FEE - $ 1 4 .0 0

.50 ¢ - EACH ADDI TI ONAL SI GNATURE AS OWNER

ASSUMED NAME CERTI FI CATE

CERTI FI CATE OF OWNERSHI P FOR

UNI NCORPORATED BUSI NESS OR PROFESSI ON

NOTI CE: “ CERTI FI CATES OF OWNERSHI P” ARE VALI D ONLY FOR A PERI OD NOT TO EXCEED 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE FI LED I N THE

COUNTY CLERK’S OFFI CE (Chapter 36, Sect . 1, Title 4 - Business and Commerce Code)

NUMBER OF YEARS THI S BUSI NESS NAME WI LL BE USED ( Not to exceed 10 years) _______ YEARS

NAME I N WHI CH BUSI NESS

WILL BE CONDUCTED: _________________________________________________________________________________

BUSI NESS ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________

CI TY ________________________________________ STATE ______________________ ZI P ____________________

BUSI NESS TO BE CONDUCTED AS:

SOLE PROPRI ETORSHI P

GENERAL PARTNERSHI P

OTHER ____________

LI MI TED PARTNERSHI PS, LI MI TED LI ABI LI TY COMPANI ES, AND CORPORATI ONS MUST BE FI LED WI TH THE SECRETARY OF STATE

-I F BUSI NESS WI LL BE I DENTI FI ED BY A NAME OTHER THAN THE NAME ON FI LE WI TH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AN ASSUMED NAME CERTI FI CATE MUST BE FI LED WI TH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND I N EACH COUNTY I N WHI CH THE BUSI NESS WI LL HAVE A REGI STERED OR PRI NCI PAL OFFI CE.

CERTI FI CATE OF OWNERSHI P

I / WE, THE UNDERSI GNED, ARE THE OWNER(S) OF THE ABOVE BUSI NESS AND MY/ OUR NAME(S) AND ADDRESS GI VEN I S/ ARE TRUE AND

CORRECT, AND THERE I S/ ARE NO OWNERSHI P(S) I N SAI D BUSI NESS OTHER THAN LI STED BELOW.

NAME __________________________________________ SI GNATURE _____________________________________________

ADDRESS _______________________________________ CI TY _____________________ STATE _______ ZI P ____________

(residence)

NAME __________________________________________ SI GNATURE _____________________________________________

ADDRESS _______________________________________ CI TY _____________________ STATE _______ ZI P ____________

(residence)

NAME __________________________________________ SI GNATURE _____________________________________________

ADDRESS _______________________________________ CI TY _____________________ STATE _______ ZI P ____________

(residence)

STATE OF TEXAS – COUNTY OF ANGELI NA

BEFORE ME, THE UNDERSI GNED AUTHORI TY, ON THI S DAY PERSONALLY APPEARED _____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________,

KNOWN TO ME TO BE THE PERSON(S) WHOSE NAME(S) I S/ ARE SUBSCRI BED TO THE FOREGOI NG I NSTRUMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGED TO ME THAT HE/ SHE/ THEY SI GNED THE SAME FOR THE PURPOSE AND CONSI DERATI ON THEREI N EXPRESSED.

GI VEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFI CE, THI S

_______ DAY OF _______________________ , 20_____.

_____________________________________________

SI GNATURE OF NOTARY

Notary Public in and for the State of Texas

Commission Expires:_____________________________

* * PLACE NOTARY SEAL BELOW* *

THI S AREA FOR CLERK’S USE ONLY

How to Edit Assumed Name Certificate Online for Free

FormsPal's PDF editor lets you fill out the form directly in your browser, with no additional software needed. Follow these steps to complete and save your document.

What You Need Before Starting

Have the following details ready before opening the form:

  • The trade name or doing business as name you want to register
  • The legal name and home address of each owner or partner
  • The principal business address and county of operation
  • A brief description of your type of business
  • Contact details for a notary public to certify your signature

Step-by-Step Completion Guide

Step 1: Click the orange "Get Form Now" button on this page to launch the PDF editor in your browser.

Step 2: Use the editing toolbar to fill in each required field on the form.

Assumed Name Certificate form showing owner name, business address, and notary signature fields

Complete the owner name and address, business address, assumed trade name, and each owner's signature. The notary section at the bottom must be completed in front of a licensed notary public before you file the document with your county clerk.

Completing the signature and notary public certification section

Step 3: Click the "Done" button when all fields are complete. Your document is now ready to download or share.

Step 4: Save a printed or digital copy for your records. Your information is never shared or sold.

Where to File After Completion

Once your form is complete and notarized, submit it to the county clerk's office in each county where your business operates. In Texas, some entities must also file with the Texas Secretary of State. Typical filing fees range from $15 to $25 per county, and you will receive a stamped copy as confirmation of registration.

To complete your business registration, you may also need a business license application or, for sole proprietors, an sole proprietorship resolution form to document your business structure.

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