Registering a Trade Name / Fictitious Name

It is State Law for any business that is not operating under their legal name, but rather a fictitious/trade name and is not registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as an Incorporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), etc., to register with the County where it will transact a majority of its business. This allows creditors and others the opportunity to learn the identity of the actual owner, since it will be the owner who is personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business.

How to Obtain

A Trade Name/"Doing Business As" can be obtained at:
Douglas County Clerk of Superior Court
2nd floor, Judicial side, Douglas County Courthouse
8700 Hospital Drive
Douglasville 30134

Phone: 770-920-7252

Documents (Once you are approved)

Complete the appropriate list of documents below and bring them to our office.

In-Home Office

  1. Affidavit Verifying Status for Douglas County Public Benefit Application (DOC)
  2. Douglas County Unified Development Code Section on Home Occupations (PDF)
  3. Occupational Tax Registration Form (DOC)
  4. Official Addendum to Business Occupancy License Application (DOC)
  5. Private Employer Affidavit of Compliance (DOC)
  6. Private Employer Exemption Affidavit (DOC)

Commercial

  1. Affidavit Verifying Status for Douglas County Public Benefit Application (DOC)
  2. Douglas County Occupational Tax Registration Form (DOC)
  3. General Requirements for a Business License (PDF)
  4. Private Employer Affidavit of Compliance (DOC)
  5. Private Employer Exemption Affidavit (DOC)

The affidavits must be signed in the presence of a Notary. (We have a Notary in our office.)

Fees

The minimum amount you owe will be $95, it is based on your estimated gross receipts. We accept check, money order, cash, VISA and MasterCard, and debit cards (no counter or starter checks).

Submission Hours

New applications are accepted between the hours of 9 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Renewal payments are accepted until 3:45 pm.