Be prepared to provide the business name, mailing address, city, state, zip, expected period of operation, business type, and owner information. Period of operation is the period of time the business will use the name. Ten years is the maximum length of time an assumed name filing is valid. However, if the name will be used for a period of less than ten years, indicate this on the form. Note that names must also be renewed every ten years.
Business type refers to the legal structure of the business.
Indicate whether the business will operate as a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc. All owners' signatures must be notarized. This service is sometimes offered at the county clerk's office. The form cannot be filed until all owners have signed it and all signatures have been notarized. The following information will be helpful in filing the Assumed Name Certificate in the county the business will operate.