2019 Small Business Resource Guide 2019 Small Business Resource Guide | Page 24

L E GA L LEGAL ASSUMED NAME/DOING BUSINESS AS REGISTRATION A DBA lets you conduct business under a different identity than your own personal name or your formal business entity name. As an added bonus, getting a DBA and federal tax ID number (EIN) allows you to open a business bank account. General Information An Assumed Name / DBA (Doing Business as) should be filed with the County Clerk’s Office in which business is to be conducted. Incorporated and unincorporated assumed name certificate forms can be completed in person or submitted by mail if notarized. Unincorporated assumed name applications may be partially completed and saved online, but applicants must appear in person to sign the application and pay the required fee. Tarrant County Southeast Sub-Courthouse 700 East Abrams | Arlington, TX 76010 817-548-3928 www.tarrantcounty.com 24 Assumed name certificate forms must include original signatures of each person whose name is to be listed on the certificate. If the person is not an individual, the assumed name form must be signed by an officer, general partner, member, manager, representative, or attorney in fact of that person. The Clerk’s office will acknowledge signatures with a valid photo Driver’s License, State ID, U.S. Passport or Military ID card. If more than one person is to be listed on the certificate, all parties must be present at the same time. Otherwise, all signatures must be notarized. Applicants may conduct business under multiple assumed names, but each name must be filed separately. It is the responsibility of the applicant to search the assumed name records in the county in which business is to be conducted to ensure no other business has the same name. Tarrant County records can be searched online or in person. 25