Frequently Asked Questions

7. How do I know if my business name is being used? How do I register my name?

A Doing Business As (DBA) Certificate is required for any sole proprietorship or general partnership operating under a fictitious name or business names other than the owners. There is a nominal fee that varies from county to county. The DBA Certificate records the full name and address of the business owner and the fictitious name and is kept on file at the county clerk's office.

To do a business name search for a sole proprietorship or partnership, contact the county clerk's office in the county where the business is located. The records are open to the public, so you can check to make sure the name is not c urrently being used in that county.

To do a statewide business name search for a corporation, contact the Arkansas Secretary of State's office at (501) 682-5151.

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The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. It is the goal of UALR to eliminate discriminatory harassment and to promote equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran's status, or disability.