Rules & Licenses · New York City
Manhattan DBAs Start With the New York County Clerk
A Manhattan sole proprietor or partnership using an assumed name should start with the New York County Clerk's business certificate route.
Published June 24, 2026 · Last verified June 24, 2026
Do not start a small Manhattan business with a random DBA form site. Start with the New York County Clerk. Its Business Department handles business certificates for sole proprietors and general partnerships.
The forms need original signatures. A form notarized online needs a New York State notary and a certificate of authenticity. First decide whether the business has one owner, partners, a corporation, or an LLC. If the clerk handles that business type, use its certificate route.
Keep copies of the filed certificate under the exact name used for banks, leases, permits, and taxes. Keep the signed or online-notary papers with it.