Persons who own, conduct or transact business in Leelanau County are required by statute to file their business names in this county on forms provided by the County Clerk's Office. Assumed Name and Co-partnership Certificates must be filed in every county where business is conducted. The following entities do not file at the county level: Corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, assumed names owned by corporations and non-profit corporations owned by corporations.

At the time of filing, this office will verify if the business name chosen is available in this county. Once accepted, certified copies of that business name will be issued. It is your responsibility to check local telephone books and news media to make certain there is no existing business using the name you have chosen.

The Certificate of Assumed Name and Certificate of Co-partnership are not complicated, but they are legal documents. Information given on them should be as complete and accurate as possible. This office reserves the right to receive documents, but delay filing, until all statutory requirements are met.

The fee for filing or renewing either the Certificate of Assumed Name or the Certificate of Co-partnership is $10.00; two certified copies of the "Assumed Name" or "Certificate of Co-Partnership" will be provided. The certificate is valid for five years from the date of filing. A courtesy notice will be sent by the County Clerk one month prior to expiration at the address on file with your business name.

Notarization of the certificate is also necessary. This office will provide notarization if the owner has a current valid driver's license or state-issued ID, with correct residential address. For assumed names, all signatures must be notarized. If more than one person owns the business, all need to be present when filing, if the certificate is to be notarized by this office. If filing a co-partnership, all owner's signatures are required; however, only one owner's signature needs to be notarized.

It is the responsibility of persons owning a business to notify this office and file the required forms if:

1. The principal address of the business changes.
2. Persons are added or deleted from the business name certificate.
3. The business is dissolved.

Please note: The only function of this office is to file business names at the county level in Leelanau County. There may be other local, state and federal agencies that handle requirements and regulations which affect your business. You may check the state's corporation and securities by clicking here.

The state's website has an "Entrepreneur's Guide" available that provides information on the various options available for filing a business name, from the local on through the state level.