You’re finally doing it. That side hustle or small business dream is becoming a reality, and you’ve picked the perfect name. But wait—if you’re planning to operate as anything other than your own legal name in North Texas, you’re likely staring down the barrel of a Dallas County assumed name filing.
Most people call this a "DBA" (Doing Business As). Honestly, it sounds way more complicated than it actually is. It's basically just a piece of paper that tells the public who is really behind "Sparkle & Shine Cleaning" or "The Taco Architect."
Without it? Good luck trying to open a business bank account. Banks are notoriously picky, and they won't touch you without a certified copy of that certificate. More importantly, it’s actually a legal requirement under the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If you’re caught doing business under a fake name without the proper paperwork, you could face some annoying legal headaches or fines.
Who Actually Needs a Dallas County Assumed Name?
This is where things get a bit trippy. Not everyone goes to the same office.
If you are a sole proprietor (just you) or a general partnership, you deal with John F. Warren’s office—the Dallas County Clerk. You file locally because you aren’t a state-level entity like a corporation.
However, if you’ve already formed an LLC or a Corporation with the Secretary of State, things changed back in 2019. You generally file your assumed name at the state level in Austin now, not at the Records Building on Elm Street. People still get this mixed up all the time. They’ll wait in line at 500 Elm Street only to be told they need to go through the state’s SOSDirect portal.
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Basically, if you are:
- A person using a business name that doesn't include your last name.
- A partnership where the name doesn't include the surnames of all partners.
- An estate or a trust.
...then you definitely need to file with the county.
The Search: Don't Skip This Part
Before you spend a dime, you have to see if someone else beat you to the punch. The Dallas County Clerk doesn't "police" the names. They won't stop you from filing a name that's identical to one already on the books, but that’s a recipe for a lawsuit.
You’ve got to do the legwork yourself. You can head over to the Official Public Records Search and dig through the assumed name database.
Expert Tip: Search every variation you can think of. If you want "D & Z Consults," search "D and Z," "D&Z," "DandZ," and even just "DZ." If the names are "deceptively similar," you're asking for trouble. It's better to find out now than after you’ve printed 500 business cards and a vinyl sign for your truck.
How to File Without Losing Your Mind
You have two main paths here: the "I’ll do it in person" route or the "I’m staying on my couch" mail-in route.
Path A: The In-Person Visit
If you like getting things done immediately, go to the Records Building at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100. They’re open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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- Bring your ID: A valid government-issued photo ID is non-negotiable.
- Everyone shows up: If you have partners, every single owner has to be there in person.
- The Perk: If you’re all there, a deputy clerk can "acknowledge" (notarize) your signatures right there for a tiny $2.00 fee. It saves you a trip to a UPS store or a bank.
Path B: The Mail-In Method
Kinda hate traffic? I get it. You can mail the form in, but you have to be precise.
First, get the form notarized. Every owner has to sign in front of a notary. Then, mail it to the County Clerk’s Recording Division. You must include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). If you forget the envelope, they won't send your recorded original back. They’re pretty strict about that.
What Does it Cost? (2026 Rates)
Keeping it real: it’s pretty cheap.
For a standard Dallas County assumed name certificate, you’re looking at:
- $23.00 for the first signature/owner.
- $0.50 for each additional partner.
- $2.00 if you want the deputy to take the acknowledgment (in person only).
Note on Payment: Don’t bring a personal check. They won’t take it. You need a cashier’s check, a money order, or a credit card (if you're there in person). Credit cards usually carry a small convenience fee—around 2.05% or so.
The "10-Year" Rule
Your assumed name isn’t forever. It’s like a driver’s license for your business name. It expires after 10 years.
If you’re still in business after a decade (kudos to you!), you have to re-file. If you close your business or change your name, you should technically file a "Withdrawal of Assumed Name." It costs about $24.00, but it keeps the public records clean and officially "detaches" you from that business identity.
Actionable Steps for Your Business
Don't overthink this, but don't ignore it either. Follow these steps to get it done right the first time:
- Verify your entity type. If you are an LLC or Inc., go to the Texas Secretary of State website. If you are a sole proprietor, stay here in Dallas County.
- Clear the name. Spend 20 minutes on the Dallas County Public Search site. If it’s too close to a competitor, pivot now.
- Prepare the cash. Get a money order or cashier's check made out to "John F. Warren, County Clerk."
- Decide on the Notary. If you're going in person with your partners, just let the deputy clerk handle it for $2. It’s the easiest $2 you’ll ever spend.
- Store the original. Once you get that file-stamped copy back, scan it and save it to the cloud. You’ll need it for taxes, bank accounts, and probably a few merchant services like Stripe or Square.
Filing your Dallas County assumed name is the first "official" thing you do as a business owner. It’s the moment you stop being just a person with an idea and start being a professional entity. Get the paperwork out of the way so you can get back to the actual work of making money.