Filing Guide

South Dakota · checked 2026-09-05 · Source-backed guide

South Dakota Fictitious Business Name filing guide

All covered entity types

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

Authority: Secretary of StateSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptYou may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office. You can find the Register of Deeds' Contact List here.
Official fee: The fee for filing a new DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10.00) per name.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe fee for filing a new DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10.00) per name. The fee is the same fee whether you file online or at the county Register of Deed's office.

Open the official authority →Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved

Supporting excerptYou may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office.

What South Dakota calls a DBA

The official term documented here is Fictitious Business Name.

Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptA DBA/Fictitious Business Name is an assumed name used by a business.

South Dakota calls a DBA a fictitious business name: an assumed name used by a business. The Secretary of State explains both an online registration route and a paper route through the local county Register of Deeds.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • A DBA/Fictitious Business Name is an assumed name used by a business.
  • You may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office. You can find the Register of Deeds' Contact List here.

The filing requirement is conditional. The FAQ cites a requirement for people and entities regularly conducting business in the state, with exceptions when the name plainly shows each interested person’s true surname or is already on file in a required Secretary of State business filing.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • Pursuant to SDCL 37-11-1, any person/entity regularly engaging in or conducting a business in this state shall file a fictitious name statement UNLESS one of the following applies: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.

A new registration costs $10 per name. The FAQ states that the same fee applies online and at the county Register of Deeds; that does not turn one county office into the office for every filer.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • You may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office.
  • The fee for filing a new DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10.00) per name. The fee is the same fee whether you file online or at the county Register of Deed's office.

Rules by legal entity type

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

All covered entity types

Required: Yes, when the documented conditions apply.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptPursuant to SDCL 37-11-1, any person/entity regularly engaging in or conducting a business in this state shall file a fictitious name statement UNLESS one of the following applies: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.
Authority: Secretary of StateSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptYou may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office. You can find the Register of Deeds' Contact List here.
When this route applies: Pursuant to SDCL 37-11-1, any person/entity regularly engaging in or conducting a business in this state shall file a fictitious name statement UNLESS one of the following applies: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptPursuant to SDCL 37-11-1, any person/entity regularly engaging in or conducting a business in this state shall file a fictitious name statement UNLESS one of the following applies: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.
Official form: Not confirmed in this guide.
Form destination: Not confirmed in this guide.
Online filing link: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.
Official fee: The fee for filing a new DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10.00) per name.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptThe fee for filing a new DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10.00) per name. The fee is the same fee whether you file online or at the county Register of Deed's office.
Effective duration: DBA/Fictitious Business Name registrations last for five (5) years from the date of filing.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptDBA/Fictitious Business Name registrations last for five (5) years from the date of filing. A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed for subsequent five year intervals, beginning 30 days prior to the expiration date until the day of expiration.
Renewal: A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for renewing a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptA DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for renewing a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.
Changes or amendments: Upon any change of the ownership interest in the business or any changes to addresses for either the DBA/Fictitious Business Name or the owners, an amendment must be filed.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptUpon any change of the ownership interest in the business or any changes to addresses for either the DBA/Fictitious Business Name or the owners, an amendment must be filed. An amendment can be filed either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for amending a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.
Abandonment or cancellation: A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be cancelled by the registered owner either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with any county Register of Deed's Office. There is no fee for a cancellation of a registration.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptA DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be cancelled by the registered owner either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with any county Register of Deed's Office. There is no fee for a cancellation of a registration.
Important exclusions: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptPursuant to SDCL 37-11-1, any person/entity regularly engaging in or conducting a business in this state shall file a fictitious name statement UNLESS one of the following applies: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.
Mail filing: Not confirmed in this guide.
In-person filing: by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office.Source: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
Supporting excerptYou may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office.

How to file through the authority

Read the DBA section of the Secretary of State’s FAQ and check the two named exceptions against the business name you will use. If filing is appropriate, its paper option directs you to your local county Register of Deeds.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • You may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office.
  • Pursuant to SDCL 37-11-1, any person/entity regularly engaging in or conducting a business in this state shall file a fictitious name statement UNLESS one of the following applies: 1. The name of the business plainly shows the true surname of each person interested in the business; OR 2. The name of the business is on file with the Secretary of State in a required business filing.

Use the authority’s instructions for the registration and its $10-per-name charge. The FAQ links to a county Register of Deeds contact list so readers can identify the local office.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • You may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office. You can find the Register of Deeds' Contact List here.
  • The fee for filing a new DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10.00) per name. The fee is the same fee whether you file online or at the county Register of Deed's office.

This guide cannot confirm the linked portal’s availability because it blocked access during review. Read the accessible official instructions for the available routes; this site does not submit your filing.

Renewal, amendment, and abandonment

The registration lasts five years from filing. The next five-year renewal window begins 30 days before expiration and ends on the expiration date. The renewal fee is $10 per name.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • DBA/Fictitious Business Name registrations last for five (5) years from the date of filing. A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed for subsequent five year intervals, beginning 30 days prior to the expiration date until the day of expiration.
  • A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for renewing a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.

Changes to ownership interests or to the business-name or owner addresses require an amendment. The FAQ describes online and local paper amendment options and a $10-per-name amendment fee.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • Upon any change of the ownership interest in the business or any changes to addresses for either the DBA/Fictitious Business Name or the owners, an amendment must be filed. An amendment can be filed either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for amending a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.

The registered owner can cancel online or by paper with any county Register of Deeds. The FAQ states that cancellation has no fee.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be cancelled by the registered owner either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with any county Register of Deed's Office. There is no fee for a cancellation of a registration.

Publication and notice

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

Next steps: self-file first

Keep the five-year expiration date with the filed record and begin the renewal within the published 30-day window. Keep registration, amendment and cancellation actions distinct when following the authority’s instructions.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • DBA/Fictitious Business Name registrations last for five (5) years from the date of filing. A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed for subsequent five year intervals, beginning 30 days prior to the expiration date until the day of expiration.
  • A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be renewed online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for renewing a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.
  • Upon any change of the ownership interest in the business or any changes to addresses for either the DBA/Fictitious Business Name or the owners, an amendment must be filed. An amendment can be filed either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with your local county Register of Deed's Office. The fee for amending a DBA/Fictitious Business Name is ten dollars ($10) per name.
  • A DBA/Fictitious Business Name can be cancelled by the registered owner either online through the Secretary of State's website or by paper with any county Register of Deed's Office. There is no fee for a cancellation of a registration.

Before sending a local paper registration, identify the Register of Deeds office for your location from the official FAQ and confirm the applicable filing details with that office.

Official sources and supporting excerptsSource: sdsos.gov official record · retrieved
  • You may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office. You can find the Register of Deeds' Contact List here.
  • You may file the registration either online through the Secretary of State's website or by requesting to file by paper at your local county Register of Deed's Office.

This guide cannot confirm a newspaper-publication step from the reviewed FAQ. No publication requirement or exemption is inferred.

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

Official sources

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