Starting a business in the Blue Hen State is complicated enough. Getting your ready-to-file Assumed Name Certificate (often called a DBA or "Doing Business As") shouldn't involve hours of forms and guesswork.
At assumedname.org, we eliminate the complex paperwork by providing Delaware Sole Proprietors with the certificate, accurately pre-filled with the precise information the Delaware Division of Corporations needs. Whether you are from Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown, or somewhere else in Delaware, the Assumed Name Certificate will work in the county or jurisdiction you are doing business in. Your accurate paperwork is ready in minutes.
If already you have an LLC or a corporation, you may have a different filing process for filing an assumed name at the state level. AssumedName.org focuses on helping Sole Proprietorships with local business name filings.
Our streamlined service is designed for the modern Delaware entrepreneur seeking speed, convenience, and guaranteed accuracy:
⚡️ Lightning Fast Preparation: Complete our simple online questionnaire and receive your complete, accurate Delaware DBA form ready-to-file in minutes.
✅ Guaranteed Accuracy for $5: For a low, one-time fee of only $5, we ensure the information on your certificate exactly reflects the details required by your county.
🛡️ Focus on Core Business: We handle the paperwork preparation so you can immediately focus on the next steps, like setting up your professional Delaware business bank account.
❓ Still have questions? Find out what a DBA is, why most states require them, and if you need one for your business.
🖹 A custom formatted PDF: Prefilled with your information making it fast and easy for your government office to file and satisfy your jurisdictions business name requirements. You will have the opportunity to view & download your certificate plus it will be emailed to you.
🚐 Less driving around to get the right form: Save time, gas money, and parking fees going from place to place.
😕 Less confusion: We have done the research and identified the right information to put on the right form for Delaware Sole Proprietors so you don't have to. No matter if you are doing business in New Castle, Kent, or any other county in Delaware, the information on your certificate will be accurate.
💲A low one-time charge: We charge $5 plus processing fees to complete your order. We use Stripe as our payment processor so you know it's secure and you can pay with many different types of credit cards or digital wallets like apple pay.
Delaware requires a sole proprietor to register a Trade, Business & Fictitious Name when operating under a name that does not include their full legal name. This registration must be completed before using the name publicly in places such as Wilmington
Delaware fictitious names are filed with the Prothonotary’s Office in the county where the business operates (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex). Sole proprietors do not register fictitious names with the Secretary of State.
A Delaware fictitious name registration remains active indefinitely unless it is canceled or updated. You must file an update if the business address or ownership information changes.
No. Registering a fictitious name in Delaware does not grant exclusive rights to the name or liability protection. It simply meets the legal requirement to do business under an assumed name.
Steps:
Contact or visit the Prothonotary’s Office in the county where you plan to operate, such as Sussex County if you are near Georgetown.
Use the county’s search system or index to look up the exact business name and similar variations.
Review the results to see if a similar fictitious name is already active in that county.
If the name is available, note that availability and move forward with your filing; if not, adjust your chosen name and search again.
Print or record search results for your records.
Documents Required:
None
Estimated Time:
5–10 minutes per search
Steps:
Confirm that your desired business name is not already in use by checking records at the Prothonotary’s Office in the county where you will operate (for example, Kent County if you are near Dover).
Gather your information: your full legal name, residence address, the fictitious business name, and the business address where you will operate.
Create your Fictitious Name Certificate and have it notarized .
File the completed certificate with the county Prothonotary in person or by mail and pay the filing fee.
Keep the stamped or recorded copy for your records and begin using the business name once accepted.
Documents Required:
Completed Fictitious Name Certificate
Government-issued ID (if notarization is required)
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 15–30 minutes
Approval: same day to 2 business days, depending on the county
Steps:
File your fictitious name certificate with the appropriate county Prothonotary and obtain a certified or stamped copy.
Decide whether to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); many banks in places like Newark prefer an EIN even for sole proprietors.
Gather your certified fictitious name certificate, government-issued ID, and proof of business address.
Contact or visit a local bank and ask about their requirements for opening a business account under a fictitious name.
Submit your documents and complete the bank’s application process; most banks will approve a basic business checking account within 1–2 hours but some may take longer.
Documents Required:
Certified fictitious name certificate
Government-issued ID
EIN (optional but often recommended)
Proof of business address
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 20–30 minutes
Bank approval: 1–2 hours