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Phone: (315) 435-2235  
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DBA (Doing Business As) Filings
One of the functions of the County Clerk’s Office is to accept certificates of persons conducting business under an assumed business name for filing. These transactions are commonly called DBA (doing business as) filings. The General Business Law requires that DBA certificates are filed by individuals or partners when they conduct commercial activity under a name that is not their given name. Filing a DBA protects the name from use by others in the county where it is filed.
The law requires that DBA certificates contain specific language. It is advised that a filer consult with an attorney to complete the appropriate forms, particularly if filing a partnership.

There are three basic DBA filings: Original, Amendment, Discontinuance.
These forms are available at the County Clerk’s Office for $1.00 each or download and print them from our web site under Forms & Links.

Original DBA
Prior to filing an original DBA, a review of business names already assigned to ensure that the desired name is available MUST be completed. The index of names are available for public viewing on our online record search (link to search site is on our home page) or you can come to the Clerk’s Office and we can assist you with a search of names. Once the filer is sure the desired name is available he/she may complete the DBA form. Forms are placed on record with a clerk at the Business Certificate Department. The fee is $25.00 to file a certificate, $5.00 for one certified copy for proof of filing. A certified copy is normally required by banks when opening a business account(s).

Amending a DBA
A DBA can be amended by filing the appropriate amendment form at the Clerk’s Office. Amendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing, this information can be obtained at the County Clerk’s Office. The filing fee for the amendment is $25.00 and $5.00 for a certified copy.

Discontinuing a DBA
A DBA should be discontinued when the individuals or partners cease to conduct business. Like amendments and withdrawals, a discontinuance requires reference to the original filing and any amendments, this information can be obtained at the County Clerk’s Office. There is no fee for filing a discontinuance.

Incorporation and Partnership DBA’s
Two additional business related filings that are recorded at the Clerk’s Office are Certificates of Incorporation and Limited Liability Partnerships.
These records are filed at County level by the Department of State after you have been incorporated with them. For information please contact New York State Department of State they will give you the appropriate filing instructions.
Since August 1991, limited partnership agreements, amendments and dissolutions are filed with the New York Department of State. Pursuant to the law, we can not accept discontinuance for limited partnerships filed here subsequent to August 1991. Please file with the Department of State.

Summary of Filing a DBA:

  1. You must complete a DBA form.
    They are available in our office for $1.00 each, they can be downloaded and printed from our web site for free under Forms & Links or they can be requested by mail be sending a self address stamped envelope to Business Certificate Department, Onondaga County Clerk’s Office, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202 with the fee of $1.00 per form.
  2. Bring the forms to the County Clerk’s Office, County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery Street, Room 200, Syracuse, NY 13215. You must check to make sure that the same or similar name you select for your business is not already on file in our DBA registry. If the name is available, you must submit the original completed notarized form(s) with fees for filing.
  3. DBA forms can also be mailed to the Clerk’s Office. Print and complete the appropriate from from our website under Forms & Links. When filing by mail there is a small chance the the name you have chosen is already in use. In that case we will return your certificate for you to choose a new name. Please include a phone number so we may reach you if we have any questions.  When completing your form, you must use a physical street address for the address of the business.  A post office box is not acceptable.  Have your form notarized by a Notary Public.  A fee of $30.00 is required if you download and send in our form.  Enclose a money order or a complete a credit card form from our web site under Forms & Links. A $3.00 convenience fee applies when using a credit card.  Include a self addressed stamped envelope in which we will mail you one (1) certified copy.  Send your request to the following address:  Onondaga County Clerk’s Office, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202.  You will receive your certified copy within 2 – 3 business days.  If you have any questions please call (315) 435-2235. 
  4. Changes to DBA’s such as the names of principals, withdrawals & addresses require an amendment form to be filed. This Form if properly filed out and notarized maybe mailed.
  5. There is no filing fee for a Discontinue to a DBA. A properly filled out and notarized document many be mailed to us. Our office can notarize your document while you are here. You will be asked to show valid photo identification.