Dallas County DBA: How to File an Assumed Name Certificate With the County Clerk

If you are a sole proprietor or general partnership planning to operate under a business name different from your legal name in Dallas County, you must file an Assumed Name Certificate, commonly called a DBA (Doing Business As). This guide walks you through the filing requirements, costs, and process at the Dallas County Clerk's office.

What Is an Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)?

An Assumed Name Certificate is a legal filing that allows you to use a business name other than your personal legal name or partnership name. In Texas, this document is filed with the county clerk in each county where you maintain a business office or conduct business.

For example, if your legal name is Sarah Martinez and you want to operate a marketing consulting business called "Martinez Marketing Solutions," you must file an Assumed Name Certificate to use that business name legally in Dallas County.

The certificate creates a public record of your business name and the owner(s) behind it. This protects consumers and gives you legal authority to use the business name for contracts, bank accounts, licensing, and business operations.

Important distinction: If you are forming a limited liability company, corporation, or limited partnership, you do not file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Dallas County Clerk. Instead, you file your formation document directly with the Texas Secretary of State.

Who Needs to File an Assumed Name Certificate in Dallas County

You must file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Dallas County Clerk if you are:

• A sole proprietor operating under any name other than your legal name
• A general partnership operating under any name other than the partners' legal names
• Operating your business in Dallas County where you maintain an office or conduct business activities

You do not need to file an Assumed Name Certificate if you operate under your own legal name as a sole proprietor or if all partners' names are included in your partnership name.

Important: If you are forming an LLC or corporation, file your Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State instead. Those entities file assumed names with the Secretary of State, not the county clerk. The LLC filing fee at the state level is $300.

How to Search for Available Names

Before filing, verify that your chosen business name is available and not already in use by another business in Dallas County. You can search for assumed names at no cost using the Dallas County Clerk's online database.

Visit the Dallas County Clerk public search portal at dallas.tx.publicsearch.us to search existing assumed names. Search by business name, owner name, or filing number.

Searching is not required before filing, but it shows whether another business already uses the name. A county filing does not give you exclusive rights to a name.

You can also call the Dallas County Clerk's Recording Division at (214) 653-7099 with questions before you file.

What Information You Will Need to File

Before heading to the county clerk's office or preparing your mailed application, gather the following information:

• Your full legal name(s) and residence address
• The assumed business name you wish to register
• The street address where your business will be located in Dallas County
• The nature or type of your business (for example: consulting, retail, services)
• The date you began or will begin using the assumed name
• The term you wish the certificate to have (one to ten years; if you do not specify, Texas law sets a ten-year term by default)
• Names and addresses of all owners (if filing with multiple owners, you will pay an additional fee per owner)

If filing by mail, you will also need the notarized Assumed Name form from the Dallas County Clerk's website. Notarization can be completed by a notary public or a deputy at the Dallas County Clerk's office.

Step-by-Step Filing Process

Filing In Person at the Dallas County Clerk's Office

The fastest way to file is to visit the Dallas County Clerk's office in person.

Location: Dallas County Clerk's Office, Recording Division, 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (subject to county holidays and office closures; call ahead to confirm current hours)

What to bring:

• Completed Assumed Name form
• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Proof of notarization or request for the deputy to notarize your signature on-site
• Payment for filing fees (see Fees section below)

Process: Present your completed form and documentation to the clerk. The clerk will review your filing, collect payment, and provide you with a file-stamped receipt showing your filing date and certificate number.

Filing by Mail

If you cannot visit the office in person, you can mail your filing to the Dallas County Clerk.

What to mail:

• A completed, notarized Assumed Name form
• Your payment (money order, cashier's check, or business check)
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope for the clerk to return your filed copy

Mail to: Dallas County Clerk, Recording Division, 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202

Call the clerk for current turnaround on mailed filings. Your file-stamped certificate will be returned in the self-addressed envelope you provide.

Filing Fees in Dallas County

The Dallas County Clerk charges fees for filing an Assumed Name Certificate. These fees apply to sole proprietors and general partnerships filing with the county clerk.

Note on fee amounts: The Dallas County Clerk's own published materials show slight variation in the first-owner filing fee. Some pages list $23 and others list $24. Before filing, confirm the current first-owner filing fee by contacting the Dallas County Clerk Recording Division at (214) 653-7099 or visiting their office.

Typical filing fees (verify current amounts with the clerk before submitting payment):

• First-owner filing fee: $23 to $24 (confirm current amount)
• Additional owner fee: $0.50 per owner after the first
• Deputy notarization fee (if you request the clerk's deputy to notarize your signature): $2.00
• Veteran fee waiver: No fee if you provide valid veteran ID

Example: A sole proprietor filing under one name with no additional owners would pay approximately $23 to $24. A general partnership with two owners would pay approximately $23.50 to $24.50.

Accepted payment methods:

• Cash (in person only)
• Money order (in person or by mail)
• Cashier's check (in person or by mail)
• Business check (in person or by mail)
• Debit or credit card in person (a convenience fee applies)
• Personal checks are not accepted

If paying by card in person, ask the clerk for the current convenience fee amount, as it varies.

Processing Times and What Happens Next

Processing times depend on your filing method:

• In-person filing: Ask the clerk for current turnaround
• Mailed filing: Ask the clerk for current turnaround, plus mail transit time

Once your Assumed Name Certificate is filed, the clerk will assign it a filing number and record the filing date. Your certificate becomes effective on the filing date and creates a public record that anyone can search on the Dallas County Clerk's database.

After filing, you can use your assumed business name to:

• Open a business bank account
• Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
• Obtain a sales tax permit from the Texas Comptroller (if you sell taxable goods or services)
• Apply for any industry-specific business licenses or permits
• Sign contracts and conduct business under your assumed name

You will receive a file-stamped copy of your certificate as your proof of filing. Keep this document safe; you may need it when opening bank accounts or applying for licenses.

Certificate Term and Renewal Requirements

Your Assumed Name Certificate is valid for a term you select at filing, ranging from one to ten years. If you do not specify a term on your filing form, Texas law automatically grants a ten-year term.

Before your certificate expires: You must file a renewal or a new Assumed Name Certificate with the Dallas County Clerk. Filing expires on the last day of the month corresponding to your certificate's anniversary date.

Example: If you file an Assumed Name Certificate on March 15, 2026, with a five-year term, your certificate expires on March 31, 2031. You must file a renewal by that date to continue using your assumed name legally.

Renewal is straightforward: complete a new Assumed Name form showing your current information and file it with the clerk using the same process as your original filing. Pay the same fee and the term resets for another period of your choosing.

If your certificate expires and you do not renew it, you lose legal authority to use the assumed name in Dallas County. Continuing to operate under an expired certificate could result in penalties and loss of legal protection.

Dallas County Business Licensing

Be aware that filing an Assumed Name Certificate with the Dallas County Clerk is not the same as obtaining a general business license from Dallas County. Dallas County does not issue or require a general county business license for most businesses.

However, certain business activities may require specific licenses or permits at the local or state level, such as:

• Food service or restaurant operation
• Home-based childcare
• Professional services (plumbing, electrical work, etc.)
• Health and safety inspections for certain industries

Check with the City of Dallas, Dallas County Health and Human Services, or your industry's licensing board to determine what additional permits or licenses apply to your specific business.

State and Federal Requirements

Filing with the Dallas County Clerk satisfies the assumed name requirement in Texas for sole proprietors and general partnerships. However, you still must comply with other state and federal requirements:

Sales Tax Permit: If you sell taxable goods or services, obtain a sales tax permit from the Texas Comptroller at no cost. The permit typically processes within two to three weeks. Visit comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/permit/ to apply online.

Franchise Tax: Texas has no corporate income tax, but businesses are subject to the state franchise tax. The threshold for the 2026 and 2027 report years is $2,650,000 in total revenue. If your business revenue is at or below that threshold, you owe no franchise tax but must still file a Public Information Report with the Texas Comptroller each year by May 15.

Employer Identification Number (EIN): If you hire employees or operate as a partnership, apply for an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service at irs.gov. The EIN is free and needed for payroll, banking, and tax purposes.

Important Disclaimers and Final Steps

This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Filing requirements, fees, and procedures can change. Before filing your Assumed Name Certificate, confirm all current information with the Dallas County Clerk.

If you have questions about your specific business situation, consult with a qualified attorney or tax professional. An attorney can advise whether an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship is the best structure for your business, and a CPA can help you understand your tax obligations in Texas.

Key contacts:

• Dallas County Clerk Recording Division: (214) 653-7099
• Dallas County Clerk public search: dallas.tx.publicsearch.us
• Texas Secretary of State (for LLC and corporation filings): www.sos.state.tx.us
• Texas Comptroller (sales tax and franchise tax): comptroller.texas.gov

Filing your Assumed Name Certificate is a straightforward process that establishes your legal right to use your chosen business name in Dallas County. With the right information, proper forms, and payment, you can complete your filing in person in less than an hour or by mail. After filing, you are ready to open a business bank account, apply for necessary licenses and permits, and begin operations under your assumed name.