North Carolina businesses that use an assumed business name must register it with the North Carolina Secretary of State before December 1, 2022, in order for the assumed business name to remain active.

What is an Assumed Business Name?

An assumed business name is not the business entity’s legal name. Rather, it is the name the entity uses when it “does business” or presents itself to the public. An assumed business name is also known as a “doing business as (DBA)” name, a trade name, or a fictitious name. For example, Tony’s Eatery, LLC might use an assumed business name of “Tony’s Taco Truck” when it advertises and interacts with the public.

Who Needs to File?

On December 1, 2017, North Carolina established an online, statewide database for all assumed business names. Businesses that registered an assumed business name prior to December 1, 2017, were given a five-year grace period to re-register and preserve the effectiveness of their assumed business name.

A business that registered an assumed business name prior to December 1, 2017 and has not re-registered their name must do so by December 1, 2022 in order for the assumed business name to remain effective.

Fortunately, the new online system is easy to use and allows a business to register its assumed business name in all North Carolina counties in one filing. The North Carolina Secretary of State’s website has more information, including forms to complete to file an assumed business name.