How to Register a DBA in North Carolina (Step-by-Step Guide)

The first step is to think of the name of your business. When thinking of your name, it is important to remember the naming rules set out by the state. A full list of naming rules can be found here.

It is important to keep in mind that:

• The name should be unique.
• The name should not be confusing.
• The name should not misrepresent the purpose of the business.
• Certain words are restricted, such as those that imply the business is a bank, insurance company, educational institution, or government agency.
• Certain words require prior approval before being used, such as Architect, Architecture, Architectural, Certified Public Accountant, Engineer, Engineering, Insurance, Pharmacy, Prescription, Apothecary, Realtor, Surveyor, Survey, Surveying, Wholesale.
• The name should not use business entity suffixes such as LCC or inc. unless it is this type of business.

DBA filing occurs in the county or counties where you do business.

The state manages DBAs, so the process is near identical across all counties, even down to the form you submit.

1. Your form will be filed with your County Register of Deeds. Use this website to find your Register of Deeds.
2. Download the assumed business name certificate form from the County Register of Deeds forms page.
3. Fill in the form with the following information:
   • The assumed business name being registered.
   • The full name and address of the person or entity registering the assumed business name.
   • The type of business entity (individual, partnership, corporation, etc.) registering the assumed business name.
   • The county and state where the business will operate.
   • The date the assumed business name was first used in North Carolina.
   • The signature of the person registering the assumed business name and the date signed.
4. When you have completed the form, mail it to the County Register of Deeds. They will register your new DBA with the North Carolina Secretary of State.

• DBA renewal is not required for North Carolina business names.
• The assumed business name certificate can be changed by completing the form and returning it to the Register of Deeds office with a $26 filing fee.
• To cancel an assumed name, complete the form and send it to the Register of Deeds office with a $26 filing fee.

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to companies that employ staff.
• If you have an existing EIN and register a Doing Business As (DBA) name, it does not alter your company’s legal structure, so you do not require a new EIN.
• Sole proprietors without employees may use their Social Security Number as their tax ID.
• An EIN is needed if you plan on opening a business bank account.

• North Carolina assumed business name information
• North Carolina assumed business name forms
• North Carolina assumed business name search
• North Carolina naming rules

There are many advantages to registering a DBA: 

• Enhanced flexibility: A DBA name can be altered or updated more quickly and efficiently than a legal business name, which allows business owners to adapt to shifts in their products, services, or market conditions with greater flexibility.
• Segregation of personal assets and business finances: Registering for a DBA allows a business bank account to be opened, allowing for using the business name on financial transactions instead of the account holder’s name. This allows the receipt and issuance of checks using the company name.
• Increased branding opportunities: A well-crafted name can be more descriptive and memorable than a legal name. This alias can help increase brand recognition and improve marketing and advertising opportunities.
• Cost-effective solution: Compared to other business structures, such as Corporations or Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), registering for a DBA is generally less expensive and less complex, making it a cost-effective alternative for small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

There are a few drawbacks to registering for a DBA, such as: 

• Limited legal protection: Unlike other business structures, such as LLCs, DBAs do not offer personal liability protection. This can mean that the business owner is personally responsible for all debts, obligations, and lawsuits related to the business.

• Sole proprietors: These individuals run their businesses without forming a separate legal entity. A DBA allows them to use a different name for marketing their products or services, giving them more flexibility to adapt to changes in the market.
• General partnerships: Joint ventures between two or more individuals who want to operate under a different name than the partners’ names. Partners can file a DBA to represent their partnership and increase brand recognition.
• Corporations: Companies often need to use a different name than their legal name or take on multiple names for different business activities. For instance, if a company has a subsidiary that offers landscaping services under “Green Solutions LLC,” but they also want to get into selling gardening supplies, it can file a DBA for “Garden Supplies” to distinguish between the two business activities.
• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): LLCs are flexible business structures that allow owners to limit their liability and protect their assets. However, LLCs can also file a DBA to conduct business under a different name or brand.

A DBA is required when:

• You wish to operate under a different name from your personal name.
• You want to use a more memorable, descriptive, or marketable name for your products or services.
• Your business is a sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, or LLC that plans to conduct business under multiple names.
• You want to test new products or markets without altering your legal name.

When might a DBA not be needed? A DBA may not be necessary if:

• You operate your business under your personal or your company’s legal name.
• You are a single-owner LLC that does not need to do business under a name different from your name or the legal name of your LLC.