Starting a business in The Badger State is complicated enough. Getting your ready-to-file Registration of Business Trade Name (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 Wisconsin Sole Proprietors with the certificate, accurately pre-filled with the precise information the County Clerk and/or Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) needs. Whether you are from Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, or somewhere else in Wisconsin, the Assumed Name Certificate will work in the city or town 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 Wisconsin entrepreneur seeking speed, convenience, and guaranteed accuracy:
⚡️ Lightning Fast Preparation: Complete our simple online questionnaire and receive your complete, accurate Wisconsin 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 local Wisconsin county.
🛡️ Focus on Core Business: We handle the paperwork preparation so you can immediately focus on the next steps, like setting up your professional Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Sole Proprietors and General Partnerships, so you don't have to. No matter if you are doing business in Milwaukee, Dane, Brown, Kenosha, or any other county in Wisconsin, 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.
When operating under any name other than their legal personal name.
Sole proprietors file with the **Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)**.
Yes. Most trade names must be renewed periodically to remain active.
No. Registration does not prevent others from using a similar name nor does it provide trademark protection.
Steps:
Visit the Wisconsin DFI corporate and business search website.
Enter your proposed trade name and similar variations to look for conflicts at the state level.
Check with your local County Register of Deeds for any local business name listings.
Evaluate search results to determine if your proposed name is unique enough.
Save or print your search results.
Documents Required:
None
Estimated Time:
10–15 minutes
Steps:
Check with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and your County Register of deeds to determine any conflicts with existing names.
Gather your legal name, address, trade name, and business information.
Create your Trade Name Certificate and have it notarized before filing with your County Register of Deeds.
Keep your confirmation and begin using your trade name.
Documents Required:
Trade name certificate
Government-issued ID (for local filings)
Filing fee payment
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 20–30 minutes
Processing: a few business days, depending on where you file
What does the law say:
The relevant state law for Trade names / DBAs is: Wis. Stat. § 134.17
Steps:
Register your trade name and obtain proof of registration.
Obtain an EIN from the IRS if your bank requests it.
Gather your trade name registration documents, EIN letter, government-issued ID, and proof of business address.
Contact a local bank and ask about business checking accounts for sole proprietors using a trade name.
Submit the required documents and complete the bank’s application; account opening typically takes a few business days.
Documents Required:
Trade name registration proof
EIN (if required)
Government-issued ID
Proof of business address
Estimated Time:
Preparation: 20–30 minutes
Bank approval: 1–3 business days