Illinois DBA / Fictitious Name / Trade Name Registrations

Online

Varies by entity type and time of filing.

Reviewed within 24 hours of receipt.

Registration of an assumed name is required for most entities that plan to use a fictitious name. Sole-proprietorships and general partnerships that use an alternate name are required to file with the office of the county clerk.

805 ILCS 5-4.15 and 805 ILCS 405

Filing at the county level is required for sole-proprietorships and general partnerships.

Registration of an assumed name does not confer ownership rights.

• Entities required to file with the county clerk are generally required to submit a notarized application with a nominal filing fee.
• Public notice of the assumed name must be filed within 15 days after registration for entities that file at the county level, however, there is no publishing requirement for firms that file an assumed name with the secretary of state. Notice must be filed in a newspaper of general circulation within the county of registration and must also run once a week for three consecutive weeks.

Online

Varies by entity type.

Corporation and LLC assumed name registrations expire on calendar years that are divisible by 5. Renewals must be filed by the first day of the anniversary month of the corporation. County level assumed names do not expire, but you may need to reregister when business information changes.