The Business Partners Certificate is the Onondaga County Clerk's form for partners who conduct or transact business under a business name in Onondaga County, New York. The County Clerk lists it among its business forms as the "DBA partnership" certificate, next to the single-owner Business Certificate (DBA), an amended certificate and a discontinuance form. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the County Clerk at onondaga.gov.
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What is Business Partners Certificate – Onondaga County, NY?
The Business Partners Certificate is a form published by the Onondaga County Clerk on which the partners of a business certify that they are conducting or transacting business under a stated business name in Onondaga County, New York.
The printed text covers several things. It records the business name, the business address and the full name and address of each partner, with room for four partners. It states that anyone under eighteen must give their age. It has a line on which a signer certifies being the successor to a prior business. It also contains a certification that the signer has searched the records in the Onondaga County Clerk's Office, found no business with the same or a similar name, and holds the County of Onondaga harmless from any action arising from that name. The form closes with the type of business, a phone number, an "In witness whereof" date and signature lines, and an acknowledgment block headed State of New York, County of Onondaga, to be completed by the individual taking the acknowledgment.
The County Clerk's forms page names related documents: Business Certificate (DBA), Amended Business/Partners Certificate, Discontinuance of Business Partners/Certificate, and a document titled Assumed Name Filing (DBA/Business Certificates) Procedures. This form is the partnership version; it is not a property tax or assessment form.
Who needs to file Business Partners Certificate – Onondaga County, NY?
The main group is partners who conduct or transact business together under a business name in Onondaga County, New York. The form is written in the plural ("we are conducting/transacting business"), and its partner table has four lines for the full name and address of each partner.
Conditions printed on the form:
- Any partner under eighteen must state their age.
- A signer who is taking over an existing business completes the line "I further certify that I am successor to".
- Each signer certifies that they searched the Onondaga County Clerk's Office records and found no business with the same or a similar name.
- The acknowledgment block must be completed by the individual taking the acknowledgment, who signs and states their office.
The County Clerk's forms page lists a separate Business Certificate (DBA) for the non-partnership version, and separate amended and discontinuance forms for changes and closures. The Clerk's page also says the County Clerk and staff cannot give legal advice or help in completing forms.
When to file Business Partners Certificate – Onondaga County, NY
The triggering event is that the partners are conducting or transacting business under the business name they list. The form certifies exactly that, so it is completed when a partnership starts using the name, or when a partner takes over as successor to a prior business (the "successor to" line). The form prints no due date or filing window, and no renewal period. If the partners, the name or the business later change, the County Clerk's page lists an Amended Business/Partners Certificate, and when the business ends it lists a Discontinuance of Business Partners/Certificate. Check the Assumed Name Filing (DBA/Business Certificates) Procedures document on the Clerk's forms page for timing and filing rules.
How to fill out Business Partners Certificate – Onondaga County, NY
Enter the business name and address
Write the business name on the BUSINESS NAME line, then the ADDRESS, CITY, STATE and ZIP lines for the business.
List each partner
In the FULL NAME and ADDRESS table, enter each partner's full name and address, up to four lines. Anyone under eighteen must state their age.
Complete the successor line
If you are taking over an existing business, write its name on the "I further certify that I am successor to" line. Otherwise leave it as your situation requires.
Confirm the name search
Before signing, search the records in the Onondaga County Clerk's Office. The form certifies that you found no business with the same or a similar name and that you hold the County of Onondaga harmless.
Add type of business and phone
Enter the Type of Business and a Phone # in the lines printed just above the witness clause.
Date and sign the certificate
In the "In witness whereof" clause, enter the day and the year, then have each partner sign on the signature lines.
Complete the acknowledgment block
Under State of New York, County of Onondaga, the acknowledgment states the date and the name of each person who personally appeared. It is signed by the individual taking the acknowledgment, with their office.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, addresses and dates against each partner's details, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and follow the County Clerk's instructions for filing.
How to submit Business Partners Certificate – Onondaga County, NY
The form prints no address, portal or fee, so the channel and any fee come from the Onondaga County Clerk. The County Clerk's forms page at https://onondaga.gov/clerk/forms/ lists this certificate and a download called Assumed Name Filing (DBA/Business Certificates) Procedures; read that document for how and where DBA filings are made. The certification on the form refers to the records in the Onondaga County Clerk's Office, and the Clerk's page notes that staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms. Before you deliver anything, make sure the acknowledgment block is completed by the individual taking the acknowledgment. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the County Clerk's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the age blank for a partner under eighteen; the form says anyone under eighteen must state their age.
- Signing the certification without searching the Onondaga County Clerk's Office records for the same or a similar business name.
- Listing fewer partners than are actually conducting the business; each partner's full name and address belongs on the partner lines.
- Skipping the "successor to" line when you are taking over an existing business.
- Leaving the acknowledgment block blank or unsigned; the individual taking the acknowledgment must sign and state their office.
- Using this partnership certificate when the County Clerk's list has a separate form for the situation, such as the Business Certificate (DBA), an amendment or a discontinuance.
- Leaving out the type of business or phone number at the bottom of the certificate.
- Assuming County Clerk staff will help complete the form; the Clerk's page says they cannot give legal advice or assistance with forms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Business Partners Certificate in Onondaga County?
It is the Onondaga County Clerk's form on which partners certify that they conduct or transact business under a stated name. The Clerk's forms page labels it "Business Partners Certificate (DBA partnership)" and lists it with other business certificate forms.
Is this an Onondaga County property tax form?
No. Although it is published by the Onondaga County Clerk, it is a business certificate for partners using a business name. The form contains nothing about property tax, assessments or exemptions. For other county services, check the Clerk's forms page.
Who signs the Business Partners Certificate?
The partners sign on the signature lines under the "In witness whereof" clause. The acknowledgment block at the bottom is signed separately by the individual taking the acknowledgment, who also states their office.
Do I need to search for the business name first?
Yes, the form certifies that you searched the records in the Onondaga County Clerk's Office and found no business with the same or a similar name. By signing, you also agree to hold the County of Onondaga harmless from any action about the name.
What if a partner is under 18?
Any partner under eighteen must state their age. The form prints this requirement directly above the business name lines, so give the age along with the partner's full name and address.
Which form do I use to change or end a partnership business?
The County Clerk's forms page lists an Amended Business/Partners Certificate and a Discontinuance of Business Partners/Certificate as separate downloads. Read them and the Assumed Name Filing procedures document to see which fits your change.
Can I fill out the Business Partners Certificate online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not file it or arrange the acknowledgment; you deliver the completed form through the Onondaga County Clerk's channels.
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