Filing Guide

Monroe County · checked 2026-09-06 · Source-backed guide

Monroe County assumed business name filing guide

Sole proprietor

Authority and fee for this entity route. Choose your entity below before filing.

Authority: Monroe County ClerkSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
Official fee: $25 for both an Individual and PartnershipSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe cost to file your DBA is $25 for both an Individual and Partnership. Our office can provide the form for an additional fee of $1.00.
Form: DBA Form for IndividualsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA Form for Individuals (PDF)

Read official guidance →Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved

Supporting excerptClerk - DBA (Doing Business As)

What Monroe County calls a DBA

The official term documented here is assumed business name.

Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptIn accordance with New York State General Business Law (Section 130), the County Clerk accepts and files certificates of persons conducting business under an assumed business name. These transactions are commonly referred to as DBA (Doing Business As) filings.

The Monroe County Clerk accepts and files certificates of persons conducting business under an assumed business name under New York General Business Law section 130, and calls these DBA filings.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • In accordance with New York State General Business Law (Section 130), the County Clerk accepts and files certificates of persons conducting business under an assumed business name. These transactions are commonly referred to as DBA (Doing Business As) filings.
  • DBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.

The clerk’s page states that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk, and that filing protects the name from use by others in the county.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • The General Business Law requires that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk. Filing a DBA protects the business name from use by others in the county where it is filed.

The county fee is $25 for both an individual and a partnership certificate; the office can supply the form for an additional $1.00.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • The cost to file your DBA is $25 for both an Individual and Partnership. Our office can provide the form for an additional fee of $1.00.

Rules by legal entity type

Jump to the entity that already exists. Each section keeps its own authority, fee, exceptions, and official evidence.

Build a personal filing plan for Monroe County →

Sole proprietor

Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe General Business Law requires that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk. Filing a DBA protects the business name from use by others in the county where it is filed.
Authority: Monroe County ClerkSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
When this route applies: individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County ClerkSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe General Business Law requires that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk. Filing a DBA protects the business name from use by others in the county where it is filed.
Official form: DBA Form for IndividualsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA Form for Individuals (PDF)
Form destination: https://www.monroecounty.gov/files/clerk/DBA%20CERTIFICATE%20OF%20INDIVIDUAL%20v2.pdfSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptCERTIFICATE OF INDIVIDUAL DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME
Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
Official fee: $25 for both an Individual and PartnershipSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe cost to file your DBA is $25 for both an Individual and Partnership. Our office can provide the form for an additional fee of $1.00.
Effective duration: Not confirmed in this guide.
Renewal: Not confirmed in this guide.
Changes or amendments: Amendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing. The cost to file your DBA is $25.00 for both an Individual DBA and a Partnership DBA.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptAmendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing. The cost to file your DBA is $25.00 for both an Individual DBA and a Partnership DBA.
Abandonment or cancellation: There is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThere is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.
Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Mail filing: DBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
In-person filing: The form is presented to a clerk for filing.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe filer should complete a DBA form. The form is presented to a clerk for filing.

General partnership

Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe General Business Law requires that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk. Filing a DBA protects the business name from use by others in the county where it is filed.
Authority: Monroe County ClerkSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
When this route applies: individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County ClerkSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe General Business Law requires that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk. Filing a DBA protects the business name from use by others in the county where it is filed.
Official form: DBA Form for PartnershipsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA Form for Partnerships (PDF)
Form destination: https://www.monroecounty.gov/files/clerk/DBA%20CERTIFICATE%20OF%20PARTNERS%20v2.pdfSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptCERTIFICATE OF PARTNERS DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME
Online filing link: Not confirmed in this guide.
Official fee: $25 for both an Individual and PartnershipSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe cost to file your DBA is $25 for both an Individual and Partnership. Our office can provide the form for an additional fee of $1.00.
Effective duration: Not confirmed in this guide.
Renewal: Not confirmed in this guide.
Changes or amendments: Amendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing. The cost to file your DBA is $25.00 for both an Individual DBA and a Partnership DBA.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptAmendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing. The cost to file your DBA is $25.00 for both an Individual DBA and a Partnership DBA.
Abandonment or cancellation: There is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThere is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.
Important exclusions: Not confirmed in this guide.
Mail filing: DBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
In-person filing: The form is presented to a clerk for filing.Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe filer should complete a DBA form. The form is presented to a clerk for filing.

Why this local filing matters

Monroe County files certificates at the County Office Building, 39 West Main Street in downtown Rochester, and the page warns that a business inside the City of Rochester often faces additional city permit requirements.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • DBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
  • Clerk - DBA (Doing Business As)
  • The filer should complete a DBA form. The form is presented to a clerk for filing.

Unlike the Westchester County clerk record in this group, Monroe County publishes its own individual, partnership and discontinuance forms and a fixed $25 counter fee for both entity types.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • CERTIFICATE OF INDIVIDUAL DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME
Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • The cost to file your DBA is $25 for both an Individual and Partnership. Our office can provide the form for an additional fee of $1.00.
  • There is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.
Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • CERTIFICATE OF PARTNERS DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME

This guide does not accept filings or fees; confirm the current answer on the clerk’s official page before visiting or mailing.

How to file through the authority

The clerk publishes separate PDF forms for individuals and for partnerships; each certificate is executed and filed pursuant to section 130 of the General Business Law.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • DBA Form for Individuals (PDF)
  • DBA Form for Partnerships (PDF)
Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • CERTIFICATE OF INDIVIDUAL DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME
Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • CERTIFICATE OF PARTNERS DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME

A completed form is presented to a clerk for filing at the office, and the page says the office reviews names already assigned before an original DBA is accepted.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • Clerk - DBA (Doing Business As)
  • The filer should complete a DBA form. The form is presented to a clerk for filing.

Mailing is allowed only when there is no conflict in the chosen name, the form is notarized, and a check or money order payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • DBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.

This guide does not link an online filing service for Monroe County because the clerk’s page describes only counter and mail filing.

Renewal, amendment, and abandonment

Amendments can only change the business address, the business name, or add or remove partners, must reference the original or most recent filing, and cost $25.00 for either an individual or a partnership DBA.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • Amendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing. The cost to file your DBA is $25.00 for both an Individual DBA and a Partnership DBA.

A discontinuance also references the original filing and any amendments; the clerk charges no fee to file it, though the necessary forms cost $2.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • There is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.

This guide cannot confirm how long a Monroe County certificate lasts or whether it is ever renewed, because the clerk’s page is silent on both points.

Publication and notice

Publication could not be confirmed for all covered entity types. No requirement or exemption is asserted.

Next steps: self-file first

Search the clerk’s online records database first, using Search Records as Guest, to see whether the name is already in use.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • Clerk - DBA (Doing Business As)
  • The General Business Law requires that individuals or partners conducting commercial activity under a name that is not their real name must file DBA certificates with the County Clerk. Filing a DBA protects the business name from use by others in the county where it is filed.

Then download the individual or partnership form, have it notarized if it will be mailed, and bring or send the $25 fee to the clerk.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • CERTIFICATE OF INDIVIDUAL DOING BUSINESS UNDER ASSUMED NAME
Source: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • DBA forms can be mailed to the Clerk’s Office provided there is no conflict in the name chosen, the forms have been notarized, and a check or money order made payable to the Monroe County Clerk is enclosed.
  • The cost to file your DBA is $25 for both an Individual and Partnership. Our office can provide the form for an additional fee of $1.00.

When the business address, name or partners change, file the $25.00 amendment; when the business stops, file the discontinuance form.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: www.monroecounty.gov official record · retrieved
  • Amendments can only be filed to change the business address, the business name and to add or remove (withdraw) partners. Amendments and withdrawals require a reference to the original, or most recent filing. The cost to file your DBA is $25.00 for both an Individual DBA and a Partnership DBA.
  • There is no fee for filing a discontinuance, although there is a $2 fee for the necessary forms required to discontinue the business.

Paid help, if offered later, is optional. This independent guide does not submit filings or accept government fees.

Related filing guides

Official sources

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