How to File a DBA in Nevada

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   Filed with the county clerk of each county where you do business, a Nevada DBA is called a fictitious firm name: a public certificate that lets you use a business name different from the legal name of each owner, and it creates no separate legal entity.

2. 2

   You file a fictitious firm name certificate with the county clerk of each county in which the business is being conducted (NRS 602.010), no later than one month after you begin doing business under the name (NRS 602.030). Nevada has no statewide DBA filing.

3. 3

   There is no statewide Nevada form or fee. Each county clerk issues its own form and sets its own fee (for example, the Clark County Clerk charges $25 to file a fictitious firm name certificate, new or renewal), so confirm the fee with your county clerk.

4. 4

   Nevada does not require newspaper publication of a fictitious firm name. There is no notice to run and no affidavit of publication to file, unlike some other states.

5. 5

   Nevada law does not set one statewide expiration. Under NRS 602.035 a county may provide by ordinance that the certificate expires five years after it is filed; Clark County, for example, requires renewal five years from the date of filing.

6. 6

   Whether the certificate must be notarized depends on the county. NRS 602.020 requires it to be notarized unless the county board adopts an ordinance allowing it to be filed without notarization; the Clark County form does not need to be notarized.

7. 7

   A DBA does not give you any ownership of or exclusive right to the name, and it does not limit your liability. A sole proprietor with a fictitious firm name is still personally responsible for the business.

Nevada Requirements for DBA (Doing Business As)

• File With the County Clerk

  In Nevada a DBA is a fictitious firm name certificate filed with the county clerk of each county in which the business is being conducted, not with the state (NRS 602.010). File it no later than one month after business begins under the name (NRS 602.030).

• County-Set Form and Fee

  There is no statewide Nevada form or fee. Each county clerk issues its own form and sets its own fee, so confirm the amount with your county clerk. As an example, the Clark County Clerk charges 25 dollars to file a fictitious firm name certificate, new or renewal.

• The Fictitious Firm Name

  The exact fictitious firm name to register. It must be different from the legal name of each owner, and it must not include a word such as Corporation, Incorporated, LLC, or Limited unless the registrant is that type of entity.

• Registrant and Owners

  The full legal name and address of the registrant, the type of registrant, and the name and address of each additional owner. For a general partnership every natural person partner is listed, and for a trust every trustee is listed (NRS 602.020).

• No Newspaper Publication

  Nevada does not require publication of a fictitious firm name in a newspaper. There is no notice to run and no affidavit of publication to file after the certificate is recorded with the county clerk.

• Notarization Depends on the County

  NRS 602.020 requires the certificate to be notarized unless the county board adopts an ordinance allowing it to be filed without notarization. The Clark County form, for example, does not need to be notarized, so check your county clerk.

• Renewal Set by County

  Nevada sets no single statewide expiration. Under NRS 602.035 a county may provide by ordinance that the certificate expires five years after filing, and Clark County requires renewal five years from the date of filing. File a new certificate within one month after a change in owners (NRS 602.040).

• No Entity, No Trademark, No Liability Shield

  A Nevada DBA is only a name registration. It creates no separate legal entity, gives no exclusive right or trademark in the name, and does not limit the personal liability of a sole proprietor or general partner.