How to File a DBA in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island a corporation or LLC files a Fictitious Business Name Statement, and a sole proprietor files a trade name, with the Department of State. Attorney review available.
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Introduction
A Rhode Island DBA costs a corporation or LLC $50 and a sole proprietor $20, and either way it is a registration that lets a person or business use a name different from its legal name without creating a separate legal entity. Rhode Island splits the filing by who you are, and both filings are made at the state level. A corporation, LLC, or non-profit corporation files a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-1.2-402); the business corporation form (Form 624A) states a $50 filing fee. A sole proprietor or general partnership instead files a trade name certificate with the Department of State (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-1), and that filing costs $20 (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-2). Rhode Island now handles both filings through the Department of State rather than at a city or town clerk. Filing a DBA does not create a corporation or an LLC, does not shield the owner from liability, and does not give a trademark or an exclusive right to the name. Rhode Island does not require you to publish a DBA notice in a newspaper for either filing. A corporate Fictitious Business Name Statement stays in effect until the corporation files a statement of abandonment or dissolves (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-1.2-402), while a trade name must be renewed each year (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-7). DocDraft builds your Rhode Island fictitious business name or trade name filing from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
- 1
A Rhode Island DBA costs $50 for a corporation or LLC and $20 for a sole proprietor, and in every case it is a registration that lets you use a business name different from your legal name. It creates no separate legal entity and gives no liability protection.
- 2
The filing is split by filer type. A corporation, LLC, or non-profit corporation files a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Rhode Island Department of State (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-1.2-402); a sole proprietor or general partnership files a trade name with the Department of State (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-1).
- 3
Rhode Island handles both filings at the state level, through the Department of State Business Services Division, rather than at a city or town clerk.
- 4
Fees differ by filer. The business corporation Fictitious Business Name Statement (Form 624A) costs $50, and a trade name for a sole proprietor or partnership costs $20 (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-2).
- 5
Rhode Island does not require you to publish a notice of your DBA in a newspaper for either the entity filing or the trade name filing.
- 6
Renewal depends on the filing. A corporate Fictitious Business Name Statement stays in effect until the corporation files a statement of abandonment or dissolves (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-1.2-402); a trade name must be renewed each year (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-7).
- 7
A Rhode Island DBA gives no ownership of or exclusive right to the name and does not limit your liability. A sole proprietor with a trade name is still personally responsible for the business.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a DBA (Doing Business As) in Rhode Island, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The DBA (Doing Business As) guide walks through them.
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Rhode Island Requirements for DBA (Doing Business As)
File With the Department of State
In Rhode Island a DBA is filed with the Department of State, Business Services Division, not with a city or town clerk. Both the entity fictitious business name statement and the trade name filing are made at the state level.
Split by Filer Type
A corporation, LLC, or non-profit corporation files a Fictitious Business Name Statement under R.I. Gen. Laws 7-1.2-402. A sole proprietor or general partnership files a trade name under R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-1. Confirm which filing applies to you.
The Fees Differ
The business corporation Fictitious Business Name Statement (Form 624A) states a fee of 50 dollars. A trade name for a sole proprietor or general partnership costs 20 dollars (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-2). Confirm the current fee with the Department of State.
The Assumed Name
The exact name to register. It must be distinguishable from names already on file, 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 of the registrant and, for an entity, the entity ID number and jurisdiction of organization. For a general partnership, every partner is listed as an owner of the trade name.
No Newspaper Publication
Rhode Island does not require newspaper publication for either the entity Fictitious Business Name Statement or the trade name filing. You do not need to run a legal notice.
Renewal Rules
A corporate Fictitious Business Name Statement stays in effect until a statement of abandonment is filed or the corporation dissolves (R.I. Gen. Laws 7-1.2-402). A trade name must be renewed each year (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-1-7).
No Entity, No Trademark, No Liability Shield
A Rhode Island 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.