DBA filing · Illinois

How to File a DBA in Illinois

In Illinois, a DBA is filed locally — usually with the county clerk. Register with the County Clerk — Assumed Business Name for Varies.

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 Illinois, a DBA is filed locally — usually with the county clerk.

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

How to file a DBA in Illinois

  1. Confirm your name is available. Run a quick pre-check on our name-search tool, then verify it against the official Illinois records so you don't pay to file a name that's taken.
  2. Complete the Illinois filing. Register with the County Clerk — Assumed Business Name. The filing fee is Varies.
  3. Handle any extra steps. Sole proprietors/partnerships file with the county clerk; corporations/LLCs with the SoS.
  4. Keep it active. Your registration lasts Varies — we'll remind you before it lapses.
Where it's filed: County filing — County Clerk — Assumed Business Name.

Two ways to file in Illinois

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 Illinois link and the details on this page to file it yourself at no charge.

Open the official Illinois filing page →

Done for you — via LegalZoom

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

File through LegalZoom →

Rather have it done for you?

Don't want to navigate the County Clerk — Assumed Business Name yourself? File through LegalZoom, our recommended filing service — they prepare the paperwork and submit it to the correct office (from $99 plus the Varies state fee). DBAform may earn a commission if you use our link, at no extra cost to you.

Illinois DBA — frequently asked questions

Where do I file a DBA in Illinois? +

In Illinois, a DBA is filed with the County Clerk — Assumed Business Name. This is handled at the county level.

How much does a DBA cost in Illinois? +

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

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

A Illinois DBA must be renewed on a schedule that varies by locality.

Does Illinois require newspaper publication for a DBA? +

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

Do I have to file a DBA in Illinois? +

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), Illinois 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 Illinois? +

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:

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