Assumed Name

Individuals wishing to start a new business in Wilkes County are encouraged to contact the Wilkes Community College Small Business Center at 336-838-6166 or visit their website at www.wilkescc.edu/SBC.

North Carolina Law requires that most types of businesses file an Assumed Name (DBA doing business as) form with the Register of Deeds in the County where the business will operate. 

NC General Statute 66-68 requires that "before any person or partnership engages in business in any county in this state under an assumed name or under any designation, name or style other than the real name of the owner or owners thereof, before any limited partnership engaged in business in any county in this state other than under the name set out in the Certificate filed with the Office of Secretary of State, before any limited liability company engages in business in any county other than the under the name set out in the articles of organization filed with the Office of the Secretary of State or before a corporation engages in business in any county other than under its corporate name, such person, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation must file in the office of the Register of Deeds of such county a certificate."

The Wilkes County Register of Deeds office does record this form. The recording fee is $26.00. Before filing this form, a name search should be made. In our office we have an Assume Name book you can look through, as well as a computer data base index that you can search in our office or online at our website, www.wilkesncrod.org. Click on Index search and key the name of the business under "non-human". We cannot perform the search for you but will be happy to assist you. 

You can find the forms needed at www.sosnc.gov or we have blank forms in our office. We can also help you with Notarizing your documents. Please bring a valid picture ID. The fee for Notary is $5.00/signers signature. 

The assumed name does not license you to do business. It is registering your business name with the county. 

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office and we will be happy to assist you.