Knowledge Base

How to File an Assumed Name (DBA) Certificate in Texas

Overview

If you plan to operate a business in Texas under a name other than your legal name (for sole proprietors) or your registered business name (for corporations, LLCs, etc.), you must file an Assumed Name Certificate, commonly known as a DBA (Doing Business As).

In Texas, an assumed name certificate must be filed with the County Clerk in each county where the business will conduct operations. Once filed, the certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of filing.

An assumed name, or DBA, allows a business to legally operate under a name that is different from its legal entity name. For example:

• A sole proprietor named Jane Smith operating as “Hill Country Bakery”

• An LLC registered as “ABC Enterprises LLC” operating as “ABC Roofing”

Filing a DBA does not create a separate legal entity. It simply registers the name the business is using publicly.

Who Must File

You must file an assumed name certificate if:

• You are a sole proprietor operating under a business name different from your legal name

• You are part of a partnership using a business name

• Your LLC, corporation, or other legal entity is conducting business under a name different from its registered name

Where to File

In Texas, businesses operating under an assumed name must file with the County Clerk in each county where business will be conducted.

For businesses operating in Williamson County, contact:

Williamson County Clerk’s Office

Physical Address:
405 Martin Luther King St.
Georgetown, TX 78626-4901

Mailing Address:
PO Box 647
Jarrell, TX 76537-0647

Phone: 512-943-1515

Website: https://www.wilco.org/Departments/County-Clerk

For driving directions and additional filing details, visit the County Clerk’s website or call the office directly for assistance.