The DBA / Assumed name certificate process: 1. Decide what you want to name your business 2. ​​Do a name search if your state requires it or if you are worried that someone else in your city or county is already using the name you want to use 3. Complete the Assumed Name Certificate - We are helping you with that 4. Get the completed Assumed Name Certificate notarized - DO NOT sign it before you are in front of a notary. 5. Take the completed & notarized form to the city or county clerks office to record your assumed name. She or he cannot tell you anything about the contents of your form, they just record the document you provide. They are not being mean, in many states they law prohibits them from answering certain kinds of questions. We recommend you get a copy of the recorded form with the county stamp / barcode etc. to show that you have filed your assumed name. This will be needed to open a bank account or cash a check. The city or county clerks office will send you the official recorded document for your records.