Delaware Trade Name (DBA): $25 Registration With the Division of Revenue Since February 2, 2026, No Renewal, Business License Required

If you're doing business in Delaware under a name that does not disclose your legal name, you need to file a Trade Name registration, commonly called a DBA (Doing Business As). Starting February 2, 2026, Delaware simplified this process by centralizing all trade name filings with the Division of Revenue through the Delaware One Stop portal. The registration is straightforward: $25, one time, no renewal required for the DBA itself. However, a critical requirement often overlooked is that you must maintain an active Delaware business license alongside your DBA registration.

This guide covers everything you need to know about registering a trade name in Delaware, the recent change in filing location, what you need to include, and how this integrates with Delaware's business licensing structure.

What Is a Trade Name (DBA) in Delaware?

A trade name is any name under which a person or business conducts business that does not disclose the owner's legal name. For example, if your legal name is Jane Smith but you're opening a bakery called "Smith's Sweet Creations," the bakery name is a trade name. In Delaware, this is formally called a Trade, Business, or Fictitious Name registration, governed under Delaware Code Title 6, Chapter 31.

Delaware requires anyone doing business under a name that does not disclose the owner's legal name to file a trade name registration with the Division of Revenue. This applies to sole proprietorships and partnerships. Corporations and LLCs may register a trade name but are not required to (6 Del. C. 3108). A sole proprietor using his or her own legal name exactly does not need to register.

The Change: February 2, 2026 Filing Location

Before February 2, 2026, trade names were filed in the county where the business operated. Each of Delaware's 3 counties had its own Superior Court Prothonotary office that handled these registrations. This created a fragmented system where businesses in multiple counties had to file separately in each county.

As of February 2, 2026, the Delaware Division of Revenue centralized all trade name filings. Now, all DBAs are registered through the Delaware One Stop portal, which serves as a single statewide registry. This single registration replaces the multi-county system and covers your business activity across all of Delaware. If you filed a trade name before February 2, 2026, that registration remains on the Superior Court's Historic DBA Data list. You may re-register in the new Division of Revenue registry at no cost if you have your old file number, but you will need an active business license to do so.

Cost: $25 One Time, No Renewal

The registration fee is $25, paid once when you file. Unlike many states, Delaware does not require renewal of the trade name registration itself. This is a significant advantage: once you file and pay the $25, your DBA registration does not expire and does not need to be renewed annually.

However, this does not mean you can forget about filing requirements entirely. Your DBA registration is tied to an active Delaware business license, and that license is what expires and requires renewal. You will pay the business license fee annually or renew every three years, but the $25 DBA registration is paid only once.

How to File Your Delaware Trade Name

All trade name registrations are filed through the Delaware One Stop portal at onestop.delaware.gov. You will need to create an account or log in if you already have one. The Division of Revenue processes these registrations, and there is no notarization requirement.

To file, you will need to provide the following information:

• Your legal name (or your entity's legal name)
• Your entity address (physical location where you are doing business)
• The proposed DBA name you want to register
• Owner names and addresses of all owners
• Formation date of your business
• Nature of the business (e.g., consulting, retail, food service)

If you are filing as a corporation or LLC already formed in Delaware, you will need a recent Certificate of Good Standing from the Delaware Division of Corporations ($50 short form) to include with your trade name application.

The Business License Requirement: Critical Detail

Your DBA registration cannot stand alone. You must have an active Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue to register and maintain a trade name. The business license is the foundation; the DBA registration sits on top of it.

Delaware's business license is required for any person or entity conducting a trade or business in the state. Licenses are applied for through Delaware One Stop (onestop.delaware.gov) and expire December 31 each year. The annual fee depends on your business category: general services, professional and occupational, contractors, and manufacturers are typically $75 annually. General retailers pay $90 annually, which includes a $15 retail crime fee. Additional business locations cost $25 each.

Operating without a required Delaware business license carries serious consequences: fines up to $3,000 and potential jail time up to two years.

For a Delaware LLC or corporation that does not conduct business in Delaware but needs a Delaware DBA, Delaware offers a Trade Name Only license (a recent certificate of good standing is required). This license costs $25, runs through December 31, and does not require you to file gross receipts tax (discussed below). The Trade Name Only license can be renewed for a three-year term at three times the annual fee ($75 for three years).

What Your DBA Does and Does Not Do

It is critical to understand the limits of a Delaware trade name registration. A DBA gives you legal authorization to conduct business under that name in Delaware. It does not, however, provide exclusive statewide rights to the name, and it does not grant trademark protection.

Another business in Delaware can register a confusingly similar or identical trade name if it meets the registration requirements. To protect your business name from use by others, you would need to register it as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (federal) or file for state trademark protection separately. A Delaware trade name registration is not the same as a trademark.

Sole Proprietors and Corporations/LLCs

If you are a sole proprietor operating under your own legal name exactly (for example, Jane Smith running a consulting practice as "Jane Smith Consulting"), you do not need to file a trade name registration. Your legal name on its own is sufficient and requires no filing with the state.

Corporations and LLCs already registered with the Delaware Division of Corporations may register trade names if they choose. However, unlike sole proprietors, they are not required to file a DBA to use a different operating name. Many established corporations and LLCs do file DBAs to clarify how they do business (for example, a corporation might file a DBA to show customers a more familiar or brand-friendly name). The decision to file is optional for entities already formed in Delaware.

Processing Time and Confirmation

The Division of Revenue does not publish a standard processing time for trade name registrations through the One Stop portal. Processing times vary based on application volume and completeness. If you need faster confirmation, contact the Division of Revenue directly at the trade names FAQ page: https://revenue.delaware.gov/trade-names-faqs/

Once your registration is approved, you will receive confirmation through your One Stop account. Keep this confirmation for your records and for presentation to banks, vendors, or landlords who may require proof that you are authorized to do business under your registered name.

Historic DBAs: If You Filed Before February 2, 2026

If you registered a trade name before February 2, 2026, your DBA is recorded in the historic Superior Court Prothonotary records. You do not need to take any action; your old registration remains valid. The Division of Revenue maintains the Historic DBA Data list for reference.

However, if you want to consolidate your registration into the new Division of Revenue system, you may re-register at no cost if you have your original file number. You will still need an active business license to proceed with re-registration.

Gross Receipts Tax and Your Business License

Delaware does not have a state sales tax. Instead, businesses licensed with the Division of Revenue are subject to a gross receipts tax based on their license category. This is not a sales tax passed through to customers; it is a tax on your gross business revenue.

Gross receipts tax rates vary by license category. Services and wholesale businesses pay 0.3983%, retail businesses pay 0.7468%, restaurants and contractors pay 0.6472%, food processors pay 0.1991%, and manufacturers pay 0.126%. You file and pay gross receipts tax monthly or quarterly (new businesses file quarterly initially) with a monthly exclusion of $100,000 (or $300,000 quarterly).

If you hold a Trade Name Only license, you do not file gross receipts tax. This is one advantage of the Trade Name Only license option if your situation qualifies.

Legal Penalties for Non-Compliance

Delaware Code requires anyone doing business under a trade name to file a registration. Violating the trade name provisions is punishable by a fine of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to three months (6 Del. C. 3106). Operating without a required business license is a separate offense, with a fine of up to $3,000 or up to two years in prison (30 Del. C. 2119).

Next Steps After Filing Your DBA

After you register your trade name and secure your business license, your legal foundation is in place for Delaware business activity. Here are your next steps depending on your business structure:

• If you are a sole proprietor: You may open a business bank account in your DBA name, sign contracts under the DBA, and advertise and conduct business under the registered name.
• If you are forming an LLC or corporation: You will also file a Certificate of Formation (LLC, $110) or Certificate of Incorporation (corporation, $109) with the Delaware Division of Corporations. These are separate filings from your trade name registration.
• If you are using a contractor license: Depending on your trade (electrician, plumber, HVAC, etc.), you may need a licensed trade classification from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Contractors also need the Division of Revenue contractor license, proof of workers compensation insurance, and a notice from the Department of Labor.

Disclaimer and Professional Guidance

This guide provides informational content about Delaware trade name registration requirements and processes. It is not legal or tax advice. Delaware business and tax law contains detailed rules, exceptions, and requirements that may apply to your specific situation. Before filing, consult with a qualified Delaware attorney or certified public accountant to ensure that you meet all applicable requirements and understand the tax implications of your chosen business structure.

For the most current information on trade name registration, business licensing, and gross receipts tax, visit the Delaware Division of Revenue at https://revenue.delaware.gov or the Delaware One Stop portal at https://onestop.delaware.gov.