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Rhode Island DBA / Trade Name Registration In 4 Easy Steps

By: Startup 101
Last Updated: November 15, 2024

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If you’re planning to start a business in Rhode Island under a name other than your own, you will need to register for a business name. Business name registration is commonly referred to as a Rhode Island DBA, “Doing Business As,” or Assumed Name, but is officially called a Trade Name (for a sole proprietor or general partnership) or Fictitious Business Name (for a corporation, LLC, or LP). To see if you need to register for a Rhode Island Trade Name and steps on how to register, check out our guide.

Related: Starting A Business In Rhode Island Checklist

Who Needs to Register for a Rhode Island Trade Name?

The requirements and need to register an Assumed Business Name vary depending on the type of business structure.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are the most common business structures for registering for a Rhode Island 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 need to complete the Trade Name registration. 

For example, if John Smith starts a Rhode Island business repairing clocks operating under his Name, he doesn’t need to register. However, if John decides to name his business John’s Clock Repair, he will need to register.

Related: How To Start A Sole Proprietorship In Rhode Island

A corporation and Limited Liability Company won’t typically register for a Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island corporation or Limited Liability Company without forming another entity. 

What Are the Steps to Register a Trade Name in Rhode Island?

Sole Proprietorship & Partnerships

Step 1: Obtain the Trade Name Certificate

Per state statute, a Trade Name Certificate is needed from the City or Town Clerk in each town or city where business activities will be conducted1. Most Clerks have this form on their website, and all have forms available to pick up at their office.

Step 2: Fill out the Form

Information typically requested on the form includes:

  • Name(s) of the business owners
  • Trade Name being requested
  • Principal business address

Step 3: Notarize the Form

Before filing the Trade Name Certificate, be sure to have it notarized.  Most Clerks’ offices have notary services available at no cost.

Step 4: Submit the Form

Submit the filing fee and form to each Town or City Clerk where the business will operate. Upon filing, a physical certificate will be provided.

If you would prefer to have a someone else research DBA name availability and file the required forms, Bizee and LegalZoom offer a DBA registration service for $99, plus state fees.


Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership

Step 1: Verify Name Availability

A corporation, LLC, or LP will register with the Rhode Island Department of State.  A business may not register a name that is the same or similar to another business in Rhode Island. To find out if the name you want is available, you can do a Rhode Island business name search on the Rhode Island Department of State’s name database. 

Step 2: Fill out the Fictitious Business Name Statement Form

The Fictitious Business Name Statement (Form 624) can be found on the Rhode Island Department of State’s website.

Information requested on the form includes:

  • ID number of the business entity as assigned by the Secretary of State
  • The current legal name of the business
  • The fictitious name being requested
  • State of formation
  • Date of incorporation/organization
  • Principal business address

Step 3: Submit the Form

The Fictitious Business Name Statement form can be filed online or mailed to the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division. If sending by mail, send to:

Division of Business Services
148 W. River Street
Providence, RI 02904-2615

Rhode Island DBA FAQs

How much does a Rhode Island Trade Name cost?

Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships: $10 for each town or city where the business is operating

Corporations, LLCs and Limited Partnerships: $50

Are there any words you can’t use in a RI DBA?

DBAs can’t be registered using words related to banks or trusts. Additionally, names may not be deceptive or represent fraudulent activities.

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 Rhode Island, 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

Does a DBA need an EIN?

An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a unique nine-digit number that some businesses register for through the Internal Revenue Department (IRS). An EIN is required for partnerships, corporations, multi-member LLCs, or any business with employees.

Sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs without employees can use the owner’s social security number to identify the business.

There is no cost to get an EIN when registering directly from the IRS.

Sources

  1. R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-1-1 ↩︎

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