A Trade Name, also known as a DBA or “Doing Business As,” “Assumed Name,” or “Fictitious Name,” is a name used by a business that is different from the legal name of the business.
Like most states, the state of New Hampshire requires businesses to register their names when they want to operate under a name other than their legal name. The registration requirement was designed to protect consumers from business owners hiding anonymously behind a business’s name.
Related: Starting A Business In New Hampshire Checklist
Who needs to register for a New Hampshire Trade Name?
The requirements and need to register for a Trade Name vary depending on the type of business entity.
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are the most common business structures for registering for a New Hampshire DBA. By default, the name of a sole proprietorship and general partnership is the owner(s) legal name. If the small business owner wants to operate under a specific name, they will complete the Trade Name registration.
For example, if John Walker starts a New Hampshire business repairing computers but doesn’t use a business name, he doesn’t have to register. If John decides to name his business John’s Computer Repair, then he needs to register.
Related: How To Start A Sole Proprietorship In New Hampshire
Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Partnerships won’t typically register for a New Hampshire DBA since a unique entity name is created during the entity formation process. However, some will want to register for a DBA if they have another business or brand name they want to operate in addition to the legal name of the business. This can allow multiple businesses to operate with the liability protection of a New Hampshire corporation or Limited Liability Company without forming another entity.
Steps to Register a New Hampshire Trade Name?
Step 1: Verify Name Availability
Every business name registration must be unique and not too similar to any other names on record. To see if your name is available, do a New Hampshire business search on the New Hampshire Department of State’s business name database.
Step 2: Fill out the Trade Name Form
You can fill out the online form or download the mail-in form (TN-1)
Information needed on the form includes:
- Business name
- Principal office address
- Description of the business
- Date the business was organized
- Name and address of the applicant
Step 3: Submit the Application for Registration of Trade Name Form
File the form along with the filing fee online, or mail it to:
New Hampshire Department of State, Corporation Division,
107 N Main St, Rm 204
Concord, NH 03301-4989
If you have questions about the process, you can contact the New Hampshire Secretary of State at corporate@sos.nh.gov or 603-271-3246.
New Hampshire DBA FAQs
How much does a New Hampshire Trade Name cost?
The filing fee to register a Trade Name in New Hampshire is $50.
Trade names need to be renewed every five years.
After registering the Trade Name, can someone use my business name?
While registering your Trade Name will keep someone else from registering the same name in New Hampshire, it does very little to stop someone else from operating that business name in other states. If stopping others from using your business name is important, you can protect it through a trademark.
Related: How to trademark a business name
Are there any naming restrictions when filing a Trade Name?
A Trade Name can’t use a business entity suffix that is different from the type of business entity. For example, a sole proprietorship can’t use LLC or corporation in its name.
Words that infer a financial institution, such as bank, banker, savings and loan, credit union, or similar words, are restricted.
Additionally, a Trade Name can’t include terms such as a political party or farmers’ market unless the entity has prior approval.
