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Business Names
Requirements
Persons who own, conduct or transacts business in Cass County are required, by statute, to file their business names in the County, on forms provided by the County Clerk's Office. A Certificate of Assumed Name and a Certificate of Co-Partnership must be filed in every county where business is conducted.
The following entities do not file at the county level:
- Assumed Names Owned by Corporations
- Corporations
- Limited Liability Companies
- Limited Partnerships
- Nonprofit Organizations Owned by Corporations
Filing Process
At the time of filing, this office will verify if the business name chosen is available in this county. It is your responsibility to check at the state level, local telephone books, and news media to make certain there is no existing business using the name you have chosen.
Once accepted, certified copies of that business name will be issued. The Certificate of Assumed Name and Certificate of Co-Partnership are not complicated, yet they are legal documents. Information given on them should be as complete and accurate as possible.
Fees
The fee for filing or renewing either the Certificate of Assumed Name or the Certificate of Co-Partnership is $10. The certificate is valid for five years from the date of filing.
Notarization
Notarization of the certificate is necessary. If more than one person owns the business, all need to be present when filing, if the certificate is notarized by this office (otherwise, your signature must be notarized by an outside notary prior to filing in this office).
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of persons owning a business to notify this office and file the required forms if:
- The business is dissolved
- Persons are added or deleted from the business name certificate
- The principal address of the business changes
Please note the only function of this office is to file business names at a county level in Cass County. There may be other local, state and federal agencies that handle requirements and regulations which affect your name.
Filing Fees for Original/Renewal Certificates
| Certificate | Fee |
|---|---|
| Assumed Name | $10 - Expires 5 years from the date of filing (You receive 2 certified copies) |
| Co-Partnership | $10 - Expires 5 years from the date of filing (You receive 3 certified copies) |
| Consent to Process | $2 - For out-of-state residents - is filed with Assumed Name Certificate |
| Dissolution | $10 - To dissolve an Assumed Name or Co-Partnership |
| Any additional copies of previously filed DBA's or Co-Partnerships: | $10 - Each |