How to File a DBA in Vermont
In Vermont a DBA is an assumed business name registered with the Secretary of State for $70, valid five years with no newspaper publication required. Attorney review available.
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Introduction
In Vermont, a DBA is registered as an assumed business name, the public filing that lets a person or business use a name different from the owner's legal name, and it creates no separate legal entity. Unlike states that file at the county level, Vermont registers an assumed business name statewide with the Secretary of State, Corporations Division. An individual doing business under an assumed business name, or a partnership or unincorporated nonprofit association of individuals doing business in the State, resident or nonresident, must submit a registration to the Secretary of State, subscribed and sworn to, not later than 10 days after the business begins (11 V.S.A. 1621). The registration fee is $70 (11 V.S.A. 1625). Registering an assumed business name 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. Vermont does not require you to publish the registration in a newspaper. A registrant reregisters every five years by filing a reregistration with the Secretary of State, with a fee of $65, not sooner than 60 days before the current registration expires (11 V.S.A. 1635). Before filing, confirm the name is available, since the Secretary of State declines to register a name that is not distinguishable from a name already registered or reserved, or that would lead a reasonable person to conclude the business is a type of entity it is not (11 V.S.A. 1621). DocDraft builds your Vermont assumed business name registration from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
- 1
In Vermont a DBA is called an assumed business name. It is a public registration that lets you use a business name different from the owner's legal name; it creates no separate legal entity.
- 2
You register an assumed business name statewide with the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division. There is no county filing for a Vermont assumed business name.
- 3
An individual doing business under an assumed name, or a partnership or unincorporated nonprofit association doing business in the State, must file the registration, subscribed and sworn to, not later than 10 days after the business begins (11 V.S.A. 1621).
- 4
The Vermont registration fee is $70 (11 V.S.A. 1625). You can file online through the state business portal or by mail, and you confirm the current amount and any expedite charge with the Secretary of State.
- 5
Vermont does not require newspaper publication of an assumed business name registration. There is no notice to publish and no affidavit of publication to file.
- 6
A registrant reregisters every five years by filing a reregistration with the Secretary of State, with a fee of $65, not sooner than 60 days before the current registration expires (11 V.S.A. 1635).
- 7
An assumed business name does not give you any ownership of or exclusive right to the name, and it does not limit your liability. A sole proprietor with an assumed name is still personally responsible for the business.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a DBA (Doing Business As) in Vermont, 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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Vermont Requirements for DBA (Doing Business As)
Register With the Secretary of State
In Vermont a DBA is an assumed business name registered statewide with the Secretary of State, Corporations Division, not with a county (11 V.S.A. 1621). Vermont has one statewide assumed business name filing.
The 70 Dollar Filing Fee
The Vermont assumed business name registration fee is 70 dollars (11 V.S.A. 1625). You can file online through the state business portal or by mail, and you confirm the current amount with the Secretary of State.
The Assumed Business Name
The exact assumed business name to register. It must be distinguishable from a name already registered or reserved, 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 business address of each partner or member. An individual, partnership, or unincorporated nonprofit association doing business under an assumed name must register (11 V.S.A. 1621).
Principal Office and Agent
The principal office address and business purpose, plus an agent for service of process for any individual, partner, or member who is not a Vermont resident or gives no Vermont address for service (11 V.S.A. 1621).
No Newspaper Publication
Vermont does not require newspaper publication of an assumed business name registration. There is no notice to publish and no affidavit of publication to file after the Secretary of State records the name.
File Within 10 Days and Reregister Every 5 Years
File the registration, subscribed and sworn to, not later than 10 days after the business begins (11 V.S.A. 1621). Reregister every five years with the Secretary of State for a 65 dollar fee, not sooner than 60 days before it expires (11 V.S.A. 1635).
No Entity, No Trademark, No Liability Shield
A Vermont assumed business name 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 partner.