(Assumed Name Certificates)
General Information
If you need to file an Assumed Name Certificate,
also known as a d.b.a., the SBDC can answer questions
and help you with the filing required. Please email or call 372-5151 if you need
assistance or explanation.
Who Needs to File a DBA?
If your business operates as a sole proprietorship or
a general partnership, you should file an Assumed Name Certificate, also known
as a dba (stands for "doing business as"), for each name the
business uses. The form is filed with the county clerk in each county where a
business premise is maintained. If no business premise is maintained, it should
be filed in each county where business will be conducted.
If your business operates as a corporation, limited
partnership, or limited liability company and operates under a name other
than the name on file with the Secretary of State, an Assumed Name Certificate
must be filed with the Secretary of State and each county in which the
business will have a registered or principal office.
Basic Steps for Filing:
-
Determine what form of business you have.
-
Fill out the appropriate form(s).
-
Have the signature(s) notarized.
-
Submit the form with payment to the appropriate
authority.
Potter County Clerk
900 S Polk St, Room 418-A
Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 379-2275
(Santa Fe Building) |
Randall County Clerk
2309 Russell Long Blvd, Ste 101
Canyon, TX 79015
(806) 468-5505
(Justice Building, also known as Law-Mart) |
NAME
SEARCHES
While not
required, it is in your best interest to conduct a search to see if anyone else
is already using the name you want to
use.
State Search
Contact the Secretary of State to determine if a name you want to
register is available. Note: Online search requires
payment of a fee by credit card.
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml
E-mail requests and telephone calls are free.
(512) 475-2755 or e-mail
SOSDirect@sos.state.tx.us
|
County Searches
Randall County -
Search Randall County Records
Instructions
-
Click on the link above for Randall County.
-
Type the name you want to check in the "Party Name" box and choose "Assumed
Name" in the "Document Type" box.
-
Click "Search". If there is more than one page of results, be sure to
look through them all.
Potter County -
Search
Potter County Records
Instructions
-
Click on the link above for Potter county.
-
Select "Click Here" (for free search) and then select Potter
County.
-
Select Free Search in top menu bar.
-
Type the name you want to check in
"Business Name".
-
Choose "ASSUMED NME" in the Document
Types dropdown menu.
-
Click "Search Now". If there is more than one page of results, be sure to
look through them all.
Other Counties - call the County Clerk's office to inquire about a
name search.
|
Please Note - Neither the filing of an Assumed Name Certificate nor
the reservation or registration of a company name imparts any real protection to
the party filing the certificate. It is merely a formal process that informs the
general public of the registered agent for a business and where official contact
with the business can be made. In case of a name dispute, it can be used
as legal evidence in litigation.
DOWNLOAD
FORMS
Select the link which shows your form of business below it. You
will be taken to a menu of forms to download.
|
County-filed Businesses |
State-filed Businesses |
|
Sole Proprietorship |
Corporation |
|
General Partnership |
Limited Liability Company |
|
Unincorporated Nonprofit Association |
Limited Partnership |
|
|
Limited Liability Partnership |
|
|
Professional Corporations |
|
|
Professional Associations |
|
|
Nonprofit Corporations |
Abandoning or Transferring a Name
To abandon a name or transfer it to someone else, use one of these forms:
Abandon a county filed
name (pdf 309k)
Abandon a state-filed name
(pdf 15k)
Transfer of Ownership (pdf 295k) (if you sell the business)
| 
Amarillo,
TX 79101