Assumed Names
General Information
Protection of
a business name is established by the registration of that name
through the County Clerk's Office in the county in which the business
is located.
There are two [2] types of registration at the county
level: An Assumed name consists of one or more parties. It is
the more binding of the types as, all parties listed must sign the
papers in front of a Notary and no changes can be made without
the signatures of all parties involved. A Co-Partnership is two
or more parties, but may be dissolved or changed by the signature
of any party. Business name is subject to our approval.
You now have 2 options if you are applying for an Assumed Name.
Your application can be filed in person at the Wayne County Clerk's Office, or you can save time by filling out your application online!
*All required documents must be presented in person to the County Clerk Office:
Save Time! Start your application online!
- Register and Login to myWayneCounty.com
- Complete online application form
- Clerk’s office will review your application within 2 business days.
- Login to myWayneCounty.com to verify the status of your online application and to print your completed form.
[You MUST bring your ORIGINAL copy plus 2 additional copies, printed on 8.5 x 14 paper ONLY! Other sizes will be rejected!]
- Bring your printed form to any authorized Notary Public to have your form notarized. If you prefer, you can bring your form to the Clerk's Office and we can notarize it for you.
- Come to our office with your printed forms to complete the process.
What Is Required To Complete Your Online Application
- Your completed Form
- A drivers license or State ID for proof of age and current resident address.
- Payment
(Cash, money orders, in state company checks, cashier and certified checks)
Walk-In Process
- PRINT OR TYPE ALL INFORMATION ON THE FORMS, except signatures. BLACK INK ONLY.
Do not use pencil or red ink. Post Office box numbers are not acceptable for the
business address.
- Signatures should be placed on the lines found at the middle of the form. ALL
LISTED OWNERS MUST SIGN THE CERTIFICATE.
- ALL SIGNATURES MUST BE NOTARIZED. All notaries public must legally sign and
print or stamp their name and expiration dates on each certificate; as well as the
names of the persons who appeared before the notary.
- Return all three [3] copies [original +2] along with the $23.00 filing fee
to:
Cathy M. Garrett, Wayne County Clerk
201 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Detroit, MI 48226
ATTN: Assumed Names
*Please Note: We no longer accept personal checks. PLEASE SEND MONEY ORDERS ONLY. All personal checks will be returned. Make money orders payable to the Wayne County Clerk. Two [2] certified copies of the certificate will be returned to you after filing.
- If you change your business address, you must notify this office.
- If you dissolve your business, you should file a certificate of discontinuance
with this office.
- If there is a change of ownership, a certificate of discontinuance should be
filed by the previous owner and the new owner or owners must file a new certificate
of assumed name or co-partnership.
- Forms for change of address of certificate of discontinuance are available at the
address listed above.
*Please note, after submitting your online application YOU MUST appear in person at the Wayne County Clerk's Office to finish the application process.
Fees
- Registration
of an Assumed Name $23.00
- Registration
of a Co-Partnership $12.00
- A plain copy
of either document $ 2.25
- A certified
copy of an Assumed Name Document $11.50
- A certified
copy of a Co-Partnership $ 6.00
- A consent
of service for out of State owner $ 2.00
- A discontinuance
of Business Registration Fee $10.00
- A Change of
address Fee $10.00
How It Works...
(quick links)
-
Service available
Service Available
Registration of the business name protects the use of that name (in Wayne County) for five [5]
years. Continued use of a name occurs by renewing registration
at five [5] year intervals.
-
Who is eligible for the service
Who Is Eligible For The Service
A person owning, conducting or transacting a business must be at least 18 years
of age.
-
Tax ID and Licensing Links
Federal Tax ID number
The McNamara Building
477 Michigan & Cass Ave. [Basement] 48226
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Ph: (800) 829-1040 [For tax ID via phone]
Michigan Sales Tax Number
Michigan Dept. of Treasury
Executive Plaza Building
1200 Sixth St. [At Howard St.] 48226
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Ph: (517) 373-3190 [For tax ID number]
Ph: (800) 487-7000 [For income tax info]
If Doing Business in Detroit Only:
Check With:
General License Bureau
Consumer Affairs Department
105 City-County Bldg. 48226
Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Ph: (313) 224-3178
-
Forms of payment accepted
Cash, money orders, in state company checks, cashier and certified checks.
Corporations are registered with the Michigan Department of Commerce, Corporation
and Securities Bureau. Obtain a Michigan Sales Tax Number from
the Michigan Department of the Treasury. Business Licenses and/or
permits are obtained through the city in which the business is
located or through the state. Licenses for Businesses located in
the City of Detroit are obtained in the City-County Building, Room 156.
For More Information
Michigan Department of Commerce
Corporation & Securities Bureau
6546 Mercantile Way
Lansing, MI 48909
Ph: (517) 241-6470
Michigan.gov
Assumed Names...
Office Locations
Cathy M. Garrett
Clerk of Wayne County
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue
2nd floor, Room 201
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-6262
(313) 224-6771
Monday - Friday
8:00 am- 4:30 pm