The assumed business name certificate is the North Carolina form on which a person or entity lists the names it will use to do business and identifies the real owner behind them. The North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State publishes the form, and the agency's page says it is filed with your local Register of Deeds Office. One certificate can cover up to five assumed business names used by the same person or entity. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF.
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What is ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE (N.C.G.S. §66-71.5) – North Carolina?
The ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE (N.C.G.S. §66-71.5) is the North Carolina form that registers up to five assumed business names and identifies the real person or entity doing business under them, the type of business, its addresses and the counties where the names will be used.
The form has six numbered items followed by an execution block with the date, signature, printed or typed name and title. Item 2 asks for the real name of the owner. Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must give the exact name registered with the NC Secretary of State and the SOSID number assigned at formation, which can be looked up at www.sosnc.gov/br/search.
The North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State publishes the form. Its page states that the form is filed with your local Register of Deeds Office, and that a filing there keeps the name on the statewide assumed business name registry.
The instructions say these certificates do not expire or require renewal. They also warn that knowingly signing a certificate that is false in any material respect is a Class 1 misdemeanor (see NCGS § 66-71.14). A change to the information on the certificate is reported on a separate Amendment of Assumed Business Name Certificate (see NCGS § 66-71.7).
Who needs to file ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE (N.C.G.S. §66-71.5) – North Carolina?
The form is completed by the person or entity that will engage in business under an assumed business name. Item 2 sets out who is named for each type of owner:
- Sole proprietorship: the individual's real name.
- General partnership: all general partners if there are fewer than five; if there are five or more, only five.
- Limited partnership, limited liability limited partnership, corporation or LLC: the exact name registered with the NC Secretary of State and its SOSID number.
- Trust: the name specified in the trust instrument.
- Any other legal entity: its legal name.
The certificate must be signed on behalf of the person or entity named in Item 2 by someone with the right capacity:
- Sole proprietorship: the individual, titled "sole proprietor" or "owner".
- General or limited partnership: a general partner.
- Corporation: an officer.
- LLC: a manager, member, director or officer.
- Trust: a trustee or another person authorized to act for the trust.
- Any other entity: an individual authorized to act for it.
One certificate covers no more than five assumed business names, all used by the same person or entity.
When to file ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE (N.C.G.S. §66-71.5) – North Carolina
File the certificate when you propose to use an assumed business name; the form prints no separate due date for the first filing. After that, the certificate does not expire or need renewal.
You must file an Amendment of Assumed Business Name Certificate within sixty (60) days of a change to any information on the certificate (see NCGS § 66-71.7). That includes doing business in counties other than those you listed in Item 6.
The agency's page adds a rule for older filings: assumed business names filed before December 1, 2017 expire on December 1, 2022 and must be renewed to stay active. If you filed with your local Register of Deeds Office before December 1, 2017, refile there to keep the name active on the statewide registry.
How to fill out ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE (N.C.G.S. §66-71.5) – North Carolina
Enter the assumed business names
In Item 1, write each assumed business name you propose to use. You may include no more than five on the form, all for the same person or entity.
Name the real owner
In Item 2, enter the real name of the person or entity doing business under the assumed name. For a sole proprietorship, use the individual's real name; for a trust, the name in the trust instrument; for another legal entity, its legal name.
Add registered name and SOSID
If the owner is a corporation, LLC, limited partnership or limited liability limited partnership, enter the exact name registered with the NC Secretary of State and the SOSID number. Look both up at www.sosnc.gov/br/search.
List general partners correctly
For a general partnership with fewer than five general partners, list all of them in Item 2. With five or more, list only five.
Describe the nature of the business
In Item 3, state what goods or services the business provides. The instructions give examples such as Lawn Maintenance, Personal Fitness Training, Retail Sales and House Repair.
Give the street address
In Item 4, enter the physical street address of the principal place of business. Do not use a P.O. box.
Add a mailing address if different
In Item 5, enter the mailing address only if it differs from the Item 4 street address.
Choose the counties
In Item 6, check All 100 North Carolina counties or write the name of each county where the name will be used. You may list as many counties as you like.
Enter the signing date
In the execution block, fill in the day, month and year the certificate is signed, in the form 'this ___ day of ____, 20'.
Sign with your name and title
Sign, then enter your printed or typed name and your title. The signer must hold the capacity the instructions list for your type of owner, such as officer for a corporation or general partner for a partnership.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the owner's name matches the registered name, that Item 4 is not a P.O. box and that the counties are complete. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it as described under How to submit.
How to submit ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE (N.C.G.S. §66-71.5) – North Carolina
The agency's page says you must file this form with your local Register of Deeds Office. The form itself prints no mailing address, portal or e-filing option.
- Local Register of Deeds Office: file the signed certificate there. Contact the office for its address, hours and any filing fee; the form and the agency's page give no fee amount.
- Before you file: if you are a corporation, LLC or limited partnership, look up your exact registered name and SOSID number at www.sosnc.gov/br/search.
- Changes later: file an Amendment of Assumed Business Name Certificate within 60 days of any change.
Print legibly if you complete the form by hand, and sign it before filing. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing a P.O. box as the street address in Item 4; the form says PO Boxes are not acceptable and asks for the physical location of the principal place of business.
- Entering more than five assumed business names on one certificate; the form allows no more than five, all for the same person or entity.
- Giving a corporation, LLC or limited partnership name that is not the exact registered name, or leaving out the SOSID number in Item 2.
- Listing every general partner when there are five or more; the instructions say to list only five.
- Having the wrong person sign, such as a limited partner for a limited partnership; the instructions require a general partner.
- Doing business in counties you did not list in Item 6 without filing a certificate of amendment.
- Not filing an Amendment of Assumed Business Name Certificate within 60 days after a change to any information on the form.
- Signing a certificate containing information you know is false; this is a Class 1 misdemeanor under NCGS § 66-71.14.
Frequently asked questions
What is an assumed business name certificate in North Carolina?
An assumed business name certificate is the North Carolina form that registers the name or names a person or entity uses in business and identifies the real owner. One certificate covers up to five assumed business names used by the same person or entity.
Where do I file the assumed business name certificate?
File it with your local Register of Deeds Office. The North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State's page says you must file this form there. The form prints no other filing address, so contact the office for its details.
Does an assumed business name certificate expire?
No. The instructions say these certificates do not expire or require renewal. The exception is older filings: names filed before December 1, 2017 expire on December 1, 2022 and must be refiled at the local Register of Deeds Office to stay active.
How many assumed business names can I put on one certificate?
Up to five. Item 1 allows no more than five assumed business names, and they must all be used by the same person or entity. A different owner needs a separate certificate.
What do I do if my business information changes?
File an Amendment of Assumed Business Name Certificate within sixty (60) days of a change to any information on the certificate (NCGS § 66-71.7). You also need an amendment if you begin doing business in counties not listed in Item 6.
Who can sign the assumed business name certificate?
It depends on the owner. A sole proprietor signs for themselves, a general partner signs for a partnership, an officer for a corporation, and a manager, member, director or officer for an LLC. A trustee or authorized person signs for a trust.
Can I use a P.O. box as the business address?
No for Item 4, which needs the street address of the principal place of business. A P.O. box is not acceptable there. If your mailing address differs, enter it in Item 5.
Can I fill out the assumed business name certificate online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the agency and does not file the certificate; you file it with your local Register of Deeds Office.
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