Last Updated: February 16, 2024, 12:13 pm by TRUiC Team

How to File a DBA in NH

Registering a DBA, known in New Hampshire as a trade name, will establish your business’s branding. DBAs are a simple way to start growing your business.

We’ll show you how to register a New Hampshire DBA below.

Or, you can save time and use a trusted DBA service.

Recommended: Register your DBA and establish your brand with LegalZoom. Packages start at $99 (plus state filing fees).

Learn how to file a DBA New Hampshire

NH Trade Name Registration

Registering a New Hampshire trade name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

New Hampshire trade names must be unique and must also meet New Hampshire’s business name requirements.

First, visit the New Hampshire Business Name Lookup website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn’t already in use.

Next, review the New Hampshire naming requirements. In New Hampshire, trade names should NOT include:

  • Any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp., etc unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, or etc.
  • Any terms given to financial institutions, including: "bank," "banc," "banco," 'banque," "banker, ''trust company," "savings and loan association," "savings bank," "credit union" or other similar words.
  • Words that imply that the company was organized for any non-permitted purpose.
  • The words “farmers’ market”
  • The name of a political party without authorization

Need Help Choosing a DBA Name?

If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. You can use this tool to generate both business names and domain names.

We recommend checking if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You might not plan on starting a business website today, but you may want to prevent others from acquiring your URL.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Need Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

If you need help coming up with a DBA name, try our business name generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our free logo generator.

Step 2. Register Your New Hampshire DBA

Your New Hampshire trade name can be filed online or by mail with the Department of State. You can file online with the NH QuickStart website or you can complete the Application for Registration of Trade Name.

Some important sections of the form include:

  • Section 1: List your new trade name
  • Section 3: Briefly describe the business
  • Section 4: Date the business was organized

Recommended: Use a reputable service. LegalZoom offers a hassle free DBA filing package starting at $99 + State Filing Fees.

File a New Hampshire Trade Name

Option 1: File Online With the NH QuickStart Website

File Online

- OR -

Option 2: File the Application for Registration of Trade Name by Mail or In-Person

Download Form

Cost:
$50 Filing Fee

Office Address:
State House Annex
3rd Floor, Rm 317
25 Capitol St, Concord, NH

Mailing Address:
Corporation Division
NH Dept. of State
107 N Main St, Rm 204
Concord, NH 03301-4989

Manage Your New Hampshire Fictitious Name

General Questions
Call the New Hampshire Department of State’s Corporation Division: (603) 271-3246

Renew Your Trade Name With the State
Your New Hampshire trade name needs to be renewed every five years. At least six months before the expiration date, the Secretary of State will send a notice of renewal as well as a renewal form. This can also be done online.

Change Your Trade Name
You will have to register a new trade name to make changes other than member ownership. You can file a Certificate of Addition to add members and a Certificate of Withdrawal to remove members. The fee for each is $10. This can also be done online.

Withdraw Your Trade Name
To cancel your trade name, file the Certificate of Discontinuance of Use of Trade Name. The fee is $10. This can also be done online.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

After Filing Your New Hampshire DBA

If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journey, then there are a few more steps that you should take before getting started:

  • Create your Business’s Website - Every business needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the job quick and easy. Check out our Best Website Builder article to find the tool that’s best for you.
  • Get your Business Finances in Order - You’ll need to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business bank account. If your business has long lead times or other cash flow irregularities, you can also look into a business credit card.
  • Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit, your business’s assets also need protection. Having the right business insurance will ensure that you’re covered if the worst happens. Most businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.

DBA New Hampshire FAQ

You can have as many DBAs as you can afford to create and are able to keep track of. Each one comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, meaning more is not necessarily better.

DBAs aren’t required to have a separate EIN because DBAs aren’t a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is under would have an EIN if an EIN is required.

To learn more about EINs and when you need one for your business, read our What is an EIN guide.

No. An LLC is a business entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business.

Sole proprietorships are often confused with DBAs, but they are not the same: a sole proprietorship is a business entity, therefore it can choose to become an LLC.

To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC state guides.

A DBA can only have Inc. in the name if the business entity the DBA is attached to is a corporation.

Holding a rental property in your name and with a DBA will not afford you any protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal assets in the event of an issue with the rental property. In any case, it is always best to consult an attorney.

Getting a DBA is often a better choice than changing your business’s legal name. If you want to rebrand your company or focus on another line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler process than filing for a legal name change.

Some state-level laws prevent DBAs that are too similar to existing ones from being used, but this varies from state to state. It is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.