CLIENT ALERT: Delaware Amends Its Trade Name (DBA) Registration Process

Pursuant to legislation enacted earlier this year, Delaware is introducing several updates intended to streamline and modernize its doing business as (DBA) trade name registration process. Originally scheduled to go into effect on June 2, 2025, on May 27, 2025 the effective date was postponed until February 2, 2026. Highlights of the changes include:

• Centralized registration: Delaware’s current county-level registration process will be replaced with a single, state-wide registration process to be administered by the Delaware Division of Revenue.
• Paperless filing: Registrations will now be completed exclusively through the “Delaware One Stop” online system. Paper forms and notarizations will no longer be required for DBA applications.
• Re-registration required: Entities that have an existing DBA will need to re-register under the new system beginning on February 2, 2026. The state has not yet announced the deadline for re-registration. Registrations will be processed on a “first come, first served” basis. There is no guarantee that existing trade names will be available.
• Unique trade names: Each trade name must be unique. An entity may be required to alter a previously registered DBA if another business registers that DBA first following the re-registration window that opens on February 2, 2026.
• Filing fees: The filing fee for a trade name certificate will remain at $25.00. There is no filing fee for re-registrations made before August 1, 2025.
• Special trade name license: Delaware corporations and limited liability companies not actively doing business in Delaware can obtain a special trade name license in lieu of maintaining a business license and having to file Gross Receipts and Income Taxes in Delaware. The cost for the special trade name license is $25.00 and requires annual renewal.
• No renewal required: No renewal of a trade name will be required so long as the entity maintains an active Delaware business license or special trade name license.

Please contact the Olshan attorney with whom you regularly work or one of the attorneys below if you would like to discuss further or have questions.

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