How to File a “DBA” in Albany County

A “DBA” (shorthand for “doing business as”) is officially referred to as an “Assumed Business Name” in New York State law. Section 130 of the State's General Business Law sets out the requirements and conditions of DBAs. Banks require a certified copy of your filed DBA before they will allow you to open a bank account for your new business. You may wish to consult with an attorney before filing any DBA forms.

You can purchase blank DBA forms at a legal supply store. We have also created blank forms for your use, which you can pick up at our office or download the form from the choices below. These forms are in "PDF" format, which means you can print the blank form from your computer. We are not able to offer online filing of DBA forms.

Please note that once filed a DBA is a public document. This means that anyone can see it, and may mean that you will receive offers from people seeking to do business with you. My office does not provide your name and address for these solicitations, but we cannot stop people from looking at these public DBAs and making their own lists.

Download the DBA form you need:

• Individual person filing a DBA
• More than one person filing a DBA as partners
• Amendment to an existing DBA
• Discontinuance (Terminating a previously-filed DBA)

Here are the instructions printed on the form:

Instructions: Use this form for a DBA by INDIVIDUAL(S). Carefully complete the form BUT DO NOT SIGN IT until in the presence of a Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds. My staff are Commissioners of Deeds and can witness your signature at no charge if you wish. YOU NEED TO BRING PHOTO IDENTIFICATION (such as a Driver's License) with you. Bring the form with you to the Albany County Clerk's Office at 32 North Russell Road in Albany (adjacent to Westgate Shopping Center), together with $25 in cash (or a certified check payable to "Albany County Clerk"). You will also want at least one certified copy at $5 per copy. NOTE: There is NO CHARGE to file a "Discontinuance" form, but you may still want to purchase a certified copy of the filed Discontinuance at $5 per copy. Our office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM Monday through Friday except holidays. If you have any questions on this filing, please call us at (518) 487-5100. DBA forms may also be purchased at legal supply stores or prepared by your attorney. Legal questions should always be addressed by an attorney.

Tell Me How Things Went: Please consider completing our customer survey about filing your DBA after you have filed it. [click here] You may receive a copy of the survey by mail from the Albany County Executive along with other information for new businesses. You can also download a printable (PDF*) survey here.

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