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dba guideUpdated 2026-04-01

How to File a DBA in New Jersey

DBA Filing Fees and Costs

New Jersey charges $50 to file an LLC alternate name with the state; county DBA fees for sole proprietors vary by county. The state filing fee for an LLC alternate name is $50, and the same $50 fee applies to renew that alternate name. This is a separate cost from your initial LLC formation fee ($125) and your annual report fee ($75).

For sole proprietors, county clerk fees differ across New Jersey's 21 counties. You must contact your specific county clerk to learn the exact DBA filing fee, which may range from $25 to $100 or more depending on the county. Some counties also charge additional fees for certified copies or expedited processing. Budget time to call or visit your county clerk's website before filing.

Filing Fee for DBA Registration

New Jersey charges $50.00 to file a DBA (doing-business-as name), whether you are registering an alternate name for an LLC or a trade name for a sole proprietorship. This is a one-time filing fee paid to the appropriate New Jersey authority at the time of registration.

Where You File and What It Costs

Your filing location and fee depend on your business structure:

For LLCs: You file an alternate-name registration with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) for $50.00. File online at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome or by mail to PO Box 308, Trenton, NJ 08646-0308.

For sole proprietorships: You file a trade-name registration with the county clerk in the county where your business operates for $50.00. County clerk offices handle their own fee collection and processing.

Renewal Costs

If you renew an LLC alternate-name registration, you will pay $50.00 again at renewal. New Jersey does not specify a renewal deadline in the provided guidance, so confirm the renewal schedule with DORES at (609) 292-9292 or through the online portal.

No Additional State DBA License Fee

New Jersey does not charge a separate statewide business license fee just for filing a DBA. However, you may still need industry-specific permits, local zoning approval, or professional licensing depending on your business type. Use the Business.NJ.gov starter kit at https://account.business.nj.gov/starter-kits/nj-business to identify what licenses apply to you.

Total Cost Summary

  • LLC alternate-name (DBA) filing: $50.00
  • Sole proprietorship trade-name (DBA) filing: $50.00
  • Renewal of either: $50.00

These are the only state-level DBA filing fees. County clerk fees for sole proprietorship trade names may vary by county; contact your county clerk's office for exact local costs.

Required Contents and Information for Your DBA Filing

Your DBA filing must include your legal name, the fictitious name you will use, your business address, and the county where you operate. For a sole proprietor DBA filed at the county level, you typically must provide your full legal name (the owner's name), the DBA name (the fictitious business name), your business address in that county, the nature or type of business, and the date you began or will begin operations.

For an LLC alternate name filed with DORES, you must provide your LLC's legal registered name, the alternate name you wish to use, your LLC's New Jersey registered office address, and your principal business address. Check with your county clerk or visit the DORES website at https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/ to confirm the exact form and information required in your jurisdiction.

For Sole Proprietors: County-Level Trade Name Filing

If you operate as a sole proprietor, you must file your trade name (DBA) with the county clerk in the county where your business operates. This is a state requirement—you cannot legally use a fictitious business name without this filing.

You will need to provide:

  • Your full legal name (the owner's name)
  • The DBA name (the fictitious business name you want to use)
  • Your business address in that county
  • The nature or type of business you operate
  • The date you began or will begin operations

The filing fee is $50. Contact your county clerk's office directly for the exact filing procedure and any local requirements, as county processes vary.

For LLCs: Alternate Name Registration with the State

If your LLC's legal name is unavailable or you want to operate under a different name, you register an alternate name with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services under N.J.S.A. 42:2C-8. This is the state-level equivalent of a DBA for LLCs.

You will need to provide:

  • Your LLC's legal registered name (as filed on your certificate of formation)
  • The alternate name you wish to use
  • Your LLC's New Jersey registered office address
  • Your principal business address

The filing fee is $50, and the alternate name registration lasts indefinitely but may be renewed.

Before Filing: Verify Name Availability

Before submitting your DBA or alternate name filing, search the New Jersey business-name database to confirm your desired name is available and distinguishable from existing registered names.

Use the state's business-name search tool at https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/checkbusiness.shtml. Under N.J.S.A. 42:2C-8, your name must be distinguishable in the Division's records from all other active or reserved entity names on file. If your name is too similar to an existing business, the Division will reject your filing.

Filing Location and Contact Information

For sole proprietor trade names: File with the county clerk in the county where your business operates. Each county maintains its own filing system and fees may vary.

For LLC alternate names: File with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

Contact the Division:

Additional Registration Steps After DBA Filing

Filing your DBA or alternate name is only the first step. New Jersey requires a two-step registration process for all business entities. After your DBA filing, you must also file Form NJ-REG with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to obtain your Business Registration Certificate (BRC).

This second filing registers you for state tax purposes and is required before you can legally operate, contract with the state, or access certain business programs. The Division's website at https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/ provides guidance on both filings.

Sole Proprietors: Business License Requirement

New Jersey does not issue a single statewide business license to all companies. However, sole proprietors must still obtain any required industry-specific permits, professional licenses, and local zoning or health approvals before opening.

Use the Business.NJ.gov starter kit at https://account.business.nj.gov/starter-kits/nj-business to identify which licenses and permits apply to your specific business type and location.

LLCs: Ensure Your Registered Agent and Office Meet Requirements

When you file an alternate name for your LLC, verify that your registered agent and registered office address comply with state law. Under N.J.S.A. 42:2C-14 and 42:2C-15, your registered agent must be either an individual or a business entity in good standing, and your registered office must use a New Jersey street address (a P.O. Box alone is not sufficient).

If you need to change your registered agent or office after filing your alternate name, file Form L-122 with the Division for a $25 fee.

Timeline and Renewal

Your DBA or alternate name registration is effective upon filing. For sole proprietors, check with your county clerk about renewal requirements, as these vary by county.

For LLC alternate names, your registration lasts indefinitely but may be renewed, transferred, or canceled through the Division. Maintain your registration to continue operating under that name.

How to File: Step-by-Step Process

Visit your county clerk's office in person, by mail, or online; for LLC alternate names, file through the DORES online portal at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome. Processing times vary. County clerk filings may take 1–2 weeks; DORES alternate-name filings typically process within 5–10 business days.

For Sole Proprietor DBAs:

  1. Contact your county clerk's office to request the DBA form (often called a "Trade Name Certificate" or "Assumed Name Certificate").
  2. Complete the form with your legal name, the DBA name, business address, and business description.
  3. Sign the form in front of a notary public if required by your county.
  4. Submit the form to the county clerk by mail or in person, along with the filing fee.
  5. Keep a copy of the filed certificate for your records.

For LLC Alternate Names:

  1. Log in to the DORES online filing portal at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome.
  2. Select the option to file an alternate name for an existing LLC.
  3. Enter your LLC's registered name and the alternate name you wish to use.
  4. Provide your registered office address and principal business address.
  5. Pay the $50 filing fee online.
  6. Print or download your confirmation for your records.

Step 1: Determine Your Business Structure and Filing Location

Your DBA filing location depends on whether you operate as a sole proprietorship or LLC.

For sole proprietorships: File your trade name with the county clerk in the county where your business operates. New Jersey does not require sole proprietors to register with the state, but a DBA is mandatory if you use any name other than your legal name.

For LLCs: File an alternate name registration with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES). You cannot use a DBA name in your initial certificate of formation; the alternate name must be registered separately after formation.

Step 2: Search for Name Availability (LLCs Only)

Before filing an alternate name with DORES, verify that your desired name is available in the state's records.

Use the official New Jersey business name search tool at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessNameSearch/Search/BusinessName. Search for your proposed alternate name to confirm no other active or reserved entity uses it. The search is free and takes minutes.

If your exact name is unavailable, you must choose a different alternate name. New Jersey requires all LLC names and alternate names to be distinguishable in the state's records from other active or reserved entity names.

Step 3: Gather Required Information

Prepare the following information before filing:

For sole proprietorship trade names:

  • Your legal name
  • The trade name (DBA) you wish to register
  • The county where your business operates
  • Your business address
  • Description of the business activity

For LLC alternate names:

  • Your LLC's legal name and state of formation
  • The alternate name you wish to register
  • Your registered agent's name and New Jersey street address
  • Your principal business address in New Jersey

Step 4: Complete the DBA Filing Form

For sole proprietorships: Contact your county clerk's office directly for the trade-name registration form. County procedures vary, so call ahead or visit the clerk's website for specific instructions and any local requirements.

For LLCs: File Form L-121 (Alternate Name Registration) with DORES. You can obtain the form and file online through the New Jersey business formation portal at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome.

Step 5: Pay the Filing Fee

The DBA filing fee is $50 for both sole proprietorships and LLC alternate names.

For sole proprietorships: Pay the fee directly to your county clerk when you submit the trade-name form. Payment methods vary by county.

For LLCs: Pay the $50 fee online when you submit Form L-121 through the DORES portal. Credit card and electronic payment are accepted.

Step 6: Submit Your Filing

For sole proprietorships: Deliver or mail your completed trade-name form and fee to the county clerk's office in the county where your business operates. Processing times vary by county; contact the clerk for an estimate.

For LLCs: Submit Form L-121 online through https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome. Online filings are processed faster than paper submissions. You will receive a confirmation

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