BUSINESS TRADE NAME CERTIFICATES

Individuals conducting or transacting business under any assumed name or designation are required to file a Business Trade Name Certificate with the County Clerk's Office.  This includes non-incorporated entities such as sole proprietorships or general partnerships (NJSA 56:1-1&c).

The following entities must file with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and not with the County Clerk:
Corporations (Profit and Non-Profit)
Limited Partnerships
Limited Liability Companies
Limited Liability Partnerships
For forms and more information go to http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue

REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING A BUSINESS TRADE NAME CERTIFICIATE

Business Trade Name Certificate form

Obtain the appropriate form. Complete the form with the following:

Name of the business, nature of the business and address of the business.

Name(s) and residence address(es) of the business operators (all those financially responsible for the the business).

If operators reside outside the State of New Jersey, a Power of Attorney to the County Clerk is required.  If the Power of Attorney is a separate attachment, not part of the body of the document, it must be notarized.

Signature(s) with printed name(s) above and below acknowledgment.

Full acknowledgment by a Notary Public or other official authorized to accept oaths.  A representative from the County Clerk's Office will acknowledge the Business Trade Name Certificate at the time of filing, provided all operators of the business appear.

The form must be filed in duplicate - original for the County Clerk, duplicate is forwarded to the New Jersey Division of Revenue.  Businesses usually file original and three copies.  Two are returned to the business, one "true copy" will be required by a bank or other financial institution when accounts are set up.  The other copy is for the business' records.  Some municipalities will also require a "true copy" to issue a business license.

Fee is $50.00 ($54.00 with two copies returned to the business).  Payment must be made in cash, money order or by debit or credit card.  Personal checks are not accepted for Business Trade Name filings.

After you register your Business Trade Name with the County Clerk's Office new businesses should also register with the Internal Revenue Service for their Federal ID number 1-800-829-4933 or http://www.irs.gov and register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue Business Gateway Services http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/starting/