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In New Hampshire, like other states, a trade name needs to be filled legally, under the state law known as “Doing Business As” or DBA. This process includes filling out forms and paying fees which seems daunting. But don’t worry – this article has made this process simple and straightforward. Read on.
Important! Please keep in mind that DBA is not a business structure, so it won’t protect you from liabilities, lawsuits, or any other unforeseen situations. DBA stands for Doing Business As. – often precedes the name under which a business operates, which is not the legal name of the business.
Therefore, before starting, make sure you understand the difference between informal business structures such as sole proprietorship and formal ones like corporations and LLCs.
To register or renew the trademark, trade name, or service mark for your company in New Hampshire you need to file the application to the Secretary of State. Here is what you need to do:
New Hampshire Business Entity Search
Your company’s trade name should be unique and have not been acquired by any other entity in New Hampshire. Moreover, this name must also meet the business name requirements of New Hampshire.
First, you have to search the New HampshireBusiness Name Lookup website for the DBA, Business, & Fictitious names. Check the website thoroughly to know whether the name that you wish to have for your business has already been taken by someone or not. Make sure, this name isn’t already in use.
Note: You can also find a complete guide on business name search here.
Once you are done searching, the next step is to review the naming requirements of the state of New Hampshire. In general, your DBA should not include:
- Any term indicating that your business is established for unlawful ourposes.
- LLC, Incorporated, Corp., or any other business entity suffix unless the business is actually an LLC or corporation.
- The name of any political party
- Any term that is used for financial institutions, including: “bank,” “banco,” “banc,” “banque,” “banker, “savings and loan association,” ”trust company,””savings bank,” “credit union” or related words.
- The word “Farmer’s Market”
Register Your New Hampshire DBA ($50)
File a New Hampshire DBA Online with the New Hampshire QuickStartor download the Assumed Business Name Application and send it to
DBA Filing In-Person Address:
State House Annex
3rd Floor, Rm 317
25 Capitol St, Concord, NH
DBA Filing Mail Address:
Corporation Division
State House Annex
3rd Floor, Rm 317
25 Capitol St, Concord, NH
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The following information must include in the New Hampshire trade name form:
- Your business name and adress
- Owners/partners of the business and addresses
- Entity type (eg; LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation)
- Trade name’s description
Renew, Change or Withdraw Your New Hampshire DBA
Renew Your Fictitious Name With the State
New Hampshire Assumed Business Name registration expires after every 5 years. You get the notification and renewal form from the office of the New Hampshire secretary of state at least 6 month before the expiry date. You may also apply for the renewal of DBA in New Hampshire online.
Change Your Fictitious Name
If you wish to make changes in number of members in your business, you need to file a Certificate of Withdrawal to remove members or Certificate of Addition to add members in the DBA information recorded with the NH secretary of state. For any other change your need to apply for a new assumed business name in New Hampshire.
Withdraw Your Fictitious Name
You can cancel your New Hampshire assumed business name by filling the NH Certificate of Discontinuance of Use of Trade Name and sending it to:
DBA Cancelation In-Person Address:
State House Annex
3rd Floor, Rm 317
25 Capitol St, Concord, NH
DBA Cancelation Mail Address:
Corporation Division
State House Annex
3rd Floor, Rm 317
25 Capitol St, Concord, NH
