Business Names, Corporations, DBA's, LLC's, LLP's

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Business Filings in New York

Find information about filing a doing business as certificate, commonly called a DBA, with the Genesee County Clerk and registering corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships with New York State.

Corporations, LLCs and LLPs

Corporations are approved by the New York Secretary of State. Certificates of Incorporation for corporations headquartered in Genesee County are filed with the Genesee County Clerk.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are registered through the New York Secretary of State. LLC and LLP records are not filed with the Genesee County Clerk.

Doing Business As Certificates

Business certificates for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under an assumed name are filed with the County Clerk under Section 130 of the New York State General Business Law.

Before filing a business certificate:

  • Search Genesee County DBA records: Confirm that the proposed business name has not already been filed by another business. The name should not be confusingly similar to an existing business name.
  • Review excluded words: Certain words may not be used as part of an assumed business name.

Limits of a County Records Search

Genesee County records include only:

  • DBA certificates filed in Genesee County
  • Corporations headquartered in Genesee County

Genesee County records do not include LLCs, LLPs or corporations headquartered in another county. For a broader search of New York business entities, contact the New York Secretary of State Search and Index Unit at 1-900-835-2677 or (518) 473-2492.

DBA Filing Requirements

Notarization

Business certificate forms must be signed before a qualified notary public. If the business is a partnership, all partners must sign before a notary.

The Genesee County Clerk's Office provides notary services at no charge.

Filing Fees

  • New business certificate: $25
  • Amended business certificate: $25
  • Dissolution: No fee
  • Certified copy of a business certificate: $5 each
  • Uncertified copy: $1.30 each

Available Business Certificate Forms

  • Business Certificate for a sole proprietorship
  • Business Certificate for a partnership
  • Amended Business Certificate for changes to a business name, address or other information
  • Dissolution of a Business Certificate

DBA and related forms are available from the Genesee County Clerk's Office for $1.

LLC Publication Requirement

When an LLC is formed in New York, state law requires publication of a formation notice in two newspapers—one daily and one weekly—for six consecutive weeks in the county where the business is located. This requirement is established under Section 206 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law.

Genesee County Clerk's Designation for Publication (PDF)(PDF, 259KB)

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