Business Registration - Doing Business As (DBA) and Co-Partnerships

Business Registration is done through the County Clerk’s Office in each county you plan to do business.  Before you register your business, you can visit our Web Self-Service Portal to search for names already in use.

Additional information can be found here: Business Registration/Assumed Names Frequently Asked Questions

A Business Registration protects a business from possible name duplications by other businesses.  The County Clerk’s Office is authorized to reject any Business Registration that is likely to mislead the public, or have the same or similar name to another currently in use.  The registering of the business name places that name on public record indicating that the registrant(s) are conducting business under an assumed name.  Business Registrations are valid for five years.

It is very important to know that DBA’s and Co-Partnerships are NOT corporations, limited liability companies (“LLC”), limited partnerships (“LLP”), or non-profit organizations.  Corporations, limited liability companies (“LLC”), limited partnerships (“LLP”), and non-profit organizations are NOT filed at the county level; they MUST be filed with the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (www.michigan.gov/lara).

Two Types of Business Registrations at the County Level

  • An Assumed Name/Doing Business As/DBA consists of one or more parties. It is more binding since all parties listed must sign the document in front of a notary public. The Assumed Name cannot be changed or dissolved without the notarized signatures of all parties listed.
  • A Co-Partnership consists of two or more parties and may be changed or dissolved by the notarized signature of any party.

Business Registration Requirements

  • Assumed Name/Doing Business As/DBA:
    • In Person (Monday - Thursday, 8am-4:30pm and Friday 9am-4:30pm): All parties intending to be on the document must be present at the time of filing, must present valid government-issued photo identification, and pay the appropriate fee listed below (cash, checks, and debit/credit cards accepted; $2.50 fee applies for debit/credit card processing).
    • By Mail or Drop Box available at the Courthouse entrance: Download the application entitled “Certificate of Persons Conducting Business Under Assumed Name”.  Fill out the top portion, have everyone’s signature notarized, enclose the appropriate fee listed below with a check or money order payable to Saginaw County Clerk, and mail to:  Saginaw County Clerk, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI . The Saginaw County Clerk’s Office will complete the bottom portion and mail you a certified copy.
  •   Co-Partnership:
    • In Person (Monday - Thursday, 8am-4:30pm and Friday 9am-4:30pm): All parties intending to be on the document must be present at the time of filing, must present valid government-issued photo identification, and pay the appropriate fee listed below (cash, checks, and debit/credit cards accepted; $2.50 fee applies for debit/credit card processing).  (See the next step for an additional option if just one co-partner is coming in person to file).
    • By Mail or Drop Box available at the Courthouse entrance: Download the application entitled “Certificate of Co-Partnership”  and fill out the top portion.  All parties must sign the document and designate one of the co-partners to have their signature notarized; this designated co-partner also has the responsibility of verifying all the other co-partners’ signatures.  Therefore, only one person’s signature is notarized on the Co-Partnership.  This process can also be done ahead of time, so the co-partner who is getting their signature notarized can file in person if they choose (if filing in person with notarization needed, co-partner must present valid government-issued photo identification).  If sending by mail, enclose the appropriate fee listed below with a check or money order payable to Saginaw County Clerk, and mail to:  Saginaw County Clerk, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI.  The Saginaw County Clerk’s Office will complete the bottom portion and mail you a certified copy.
  • Change of Address and Notice of Dissolution of Business
    • The same instruction applies for taking out an Assumed Name, i.e. appropriate form completed, all parties’ signatures notarized, and $10 fee. These can be done in person or by mail. 

Business Registration Fees and Downloadable Forms

Certificate of Persons Conducting Business Under Assumed Name- $16 for new or expired business registration; $14 for renewal prior to expiration date

Certificate of Co-Partnership- $16 for new or expired business registration; $14 for renewal prior to expiration date

Notice of Change of Business Location- $10

Notice of Discontinuance - $10

Certified Copies - $2 each

The Saginaw County Clerk’s Office cannot give legal advice.  You may consult your legal advisor for more information on registering a business.