When starting a new business, it is advisable to record your business name with the Register of Deeds Office. Such business names are referred to as assumed names. This Office handles filings for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations doing business under an assumed name. Meanwhile, the Department of Secretary of State oversees the incorporation of businesses.

Before filing the "doing business as" (dba) or assumed name certificate, it is recommended that you perform a name search to determine if the proposed business name has already been filed in Craven County. The Register of Deeds Office cannot perform the name search for you, but is happy to assist you with the name search. The fee for recording an assumed name is $26 for the first fifteen pages and $4 for each additional page thereafter. The completed form may be hand-delivered or mailed in for recording. To get forms, you may go to the BLNC website.

ASSUMED BUSINESS NAMES IN NORTH CAROLINA

IMPORTANT NOTICE OF LAW CHANGE

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING CERTIFICATES OF ASSUMED BUSINESS NAMES

EXPIRATION OF FILED CERTIFICATES OF ASSUMED NAMES

North Carolina law requires individuals, limited and general partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and other persons that engage in business in this state under an assumed name to file a certificate with a Register of Deeds in a county in which the person or entity will be engaging in business.

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2017 

Certificates, amendments and withdrawals must comply with content and execution requirements specified in the statutes for a certificate of assumed business name.  Certificates, amendments, and withdrawals will be transmitted into a statewide, central database  maintained by the NC Secretary of State, which will be available for searches by the public.  The Secretary will maintain a website for this purpose at www.sosnc.gov/br/search. 

The Secretary of State will assign an identification number (SOS ID) to each assumed name that is recorded, to which amendments and withdrawals must refer.  If a business (Corporation, LLC, Partnership) is established with the Secretary of State, the SOS ID number must appear on all filings at the Register of Deeds office upon presentation.  The established SOS ID number may be obtained at www.sosnc.gov/br/search. 

Certificates of assumed names filed under the prior law will EXPIRE DECEMBER 1, 2022.  

Someone desiring to engage in business in NC under the assumed name after that date must file an assumed name certificate in the new form.

Assumed Name forms should be submitted for recording in a typed form and not handwritten to ensure that your information is indexed properly. Assumed Name forms may be found at the following website: https://edpnc.com/start-or-grow-a-business/start-a-business/business-forms/.