DBA Information
BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Anyone who owns a business located in Eaton County must register the name of the business with a Certificate of Assumed Name with the County Clerk. The term D.B.A. refers to "Doing Business As...". Filings at the County level are for sole propietorships and Co-Partnerships. If you own a Corporation, LLC, LLP, Limited Partnerships and Non-Profit Organization, you would file at the State level at the Corporations Division (see below). The business registration or sole proprietorship is good for 5 years and is renewable 30 days prior to expiration for a $10.00 fee. You can come into the County Clerk’s Office or download the form from this website.
CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAMES are public record. For current filings click below.
Business filings of Eaton County
Before you file your D.B.A.
There is a Zoning Ordinance in Eaton County: Below are some of the agencies that handle other requirements and regulations, which may affect your business. Please contact them directly. You may need a Conditional Use Permit to do business in your home. If you have questions concerning this permit please contact the Community Development Department. They can be reached by phoning (517) 543-3689 or (517) 485-3417 extension 3689.
Other local offices to check for further zoning ordinances: Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge www.grand-ledge.com City of Lansing www.cityoflansingmi.com, Olivet, Potterville, Delta Charter Township www.deltami.gov Oneida Charter Township www.oneidatownship.org, Windsor Charter Township www.windsor.mi-twp.org. If you live in any of these listed you must contact the Clerk for zoning questions.
Instructions for filing
• Please call ahead or check with our office to see if the name you have chosen for your business is available. The State's database of business names are not connected with our data. It is recommended you contact them before you use an assumed name. If the name is available, bring to our office your D.B.A. form, picture ID for notarization of your signature and the $10.00 fee. This can be payable by cash, check, money order or debit. If you decide to mail in your Certificate of Assumed Name, Co-Partnership or Dissolution form all owners of the business must have their signatures notarized before the form is mailed to the County Clerk’s Office.
• If you change the name of your business, you must file a new certificate.
• You must notify the Clerk's Office if there is a change of address for the business.
• Adding or deleting owners you must: Dissolve the business and file a new certificate.
• It is the responsibility of the person conducting business to check with the State to make sure that the business name is not being used as a Corporation, Limited Liability Company ("LLC"), Limited Liability Partnership ("LLP"), or Non-Profit Organization.
• If you are opening a business in the food industry, you must contact the Environmental Health Department about regulations. Phone: 517-541-2615 www.barryeatonhealth.org
Corporations, LLC’s, LLP’s, Limited Partnerships and Non-Profit Organizations filing information:
• LLC's, Corporations and Non-Profit organizations do not file with the Clerk's Office
• (Michigan Statutes Annotated Sec.19.821; 20.111).
• LLP's can file with the county, but must also file with the State. The County Clerk cannot give legal advice; therefore, contact your legal representative for more information on this.
• To register a Corporation, LLC, LLP, Limited Partnership, or Non-Profit Organization apply to:
Corporations & Securities Bureau
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 241-6470 Information
www.michigan.gov/cis
STATEWIDE BUSINESS NAME SEARCH - (*separate DATA from County filings)
Business Registration Certificates and Fees
ADOBE ACROBAT READER REQUIRED TO DOWNLOAD THESE FORMS
Assumed Name - (fee includes 2 certifiedcopies) $10.00
Co-Partnership - (fee includes 3 certified copies) $10.00
Notice of Dissolution – (1 copy) $10.00
Certified Copies (each) – extra $ 2.00
What Do I Do Next?
Lansing Small Business Development Center (517) 483-1921
This is your region’s Small Business Development Center, located at Lansing Community College, provides a free guide with all the steps to starting a business! They also provide information and counseling. Many of their services are low cost or free!
They can help you figure out:
What legal structure is best for your business
How to incorporate
How to get any special licenses that may be required
How to arrange for a federal ID and federal tax payments
How to get any state and local tax licenses required
How to decide whether to hire employees
How to ensure your business will meet environment regulations
How to be aware of hidden liabilities and make sure you are adequately insured.
Business License Questions: (517) 373-9808
Michigan Dept. of Treasury (Sales Tax License)
State Level
Treasury Building
430 West Allegan Street
Lansing, MI 48922
(517) 373-3190
www.michigan.gov/treasury
Better Business Bureau
Website: www.easternmichiganbbb.org
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