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DBA filing · Delaware

How to File a DBA in Delaware

In Delaware, a DBA is filed locally — usually with the county clerk. Register with the Prothonotary, Superior Court (each county) for $25 / county.

Check my business nameSee how to file

A DBA — short for “doing business as,” also called a fictitious business name, assumed name, or trade name — lets you legally operate under a name that isn't your own legal name or your company's exact registered name. In Delaware, a DBA is filed locally — usually with the county clerk.

Here's exactly where and how to register your DBA in Delaware — and what it costs — so your filing is accepted the first time.

How to file a DBA in Delaware

  1. Confirm your name is available. Run a quick pre-check on our name-search tool, then verify it against the official Delaware records so you don't pay to file a name that's taken.
  2. Complete the Delaware filing. Register with the Prothonotary, Superior Court (each county). The filing fee is $25 / county.
  3. Handle any extra steps. Register with the Prothonotary in each county where you do business.
  4. Keep it active. Your registration lasts None — we'll remind you before it lapses.
Where it's filed: County filing — Prothonotary, Superior Court (each county).

Two ways to file in Delaware

DBAform is a resource either way — do it yourself with the official link, or let us handle it.

Do it yourself — free

Use the official Delaware link and the details on this page to file it yourself at no charge.

Open the official Delaware filing page →

Done for you — via LegalZoom

Prefer to hand it off? File through LegalZoom, our recommended service (plus the $25 / county state fee).

File through LegalZoom →

Rather have it done for you?

Don't want to navigate the Prothonotary, Superior Court (each county) yourself? File through LegalZoom, our recommended filing service — they prepare the paperwork and submit it to the correct office (from $99 plus the $25 / county state fee). DBAform may earn a commission if you use our link, at no extra cost to you.

File through LegalZoom →Read the FAQ

Delaware DBA — frequently asked questions

Where do I file a DBA in Delaware? +

In Delaware, a DBA is filed with the Prothonotary, Superior Court (each county). This is handled at the county level.

How much does a DBA cost in Delaware? +

Delaware's government filing fee is $25 / county. You can file it yourself and pay only that fee, or file through LegalZoom (from $99 plus the state fee).

Does a DBA in Delaware expire or need to be renewed? +

A Delaware DBA does not expire and needs no renewal.

Does Delaware require newspaper publication for a DBA? +

No. Delaware does not require you to publish a notice of your DBA in a newspaper.

Do I have to file a DBA in Delaware? +

If you operate under any name other than your own legal name (as a sole proprietor) or your business's exact registered name (as an LLC or corporation), Delaware requires you to register it. If you use only your legal name, you generally don't need one.

Is a DBA the same as an LLC in Delaware? +

No. A DBA is only a registered trade name -- it doesn't create a legal entity or protect your personal assets. An LLC does both. Many owners form an LLC and then file a DBA under it.

Other states

Filing in more than one state, or not sure this is the right one? Browse every jurisdiction or jump to a popular state:

DBA in CaliforniaDBA in TexasDBA in FloridaDBA in New YorkDBA in IllinoisDBA in GeorgiaAll 50 states →

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