Delaware Trade Name/DBA Re-Registration
Delaware Trade Name/DBA Re-Registration Moves to State Level Starting June 2, 2025
Starting June 2, 2025, Delaware is implementing major changes to how businesses register and maintain their Trade Names (DBAs). Oversight of these registrations will shift from the Superior Court Prothonotaries (at the county level) to the Delaware Department of Revenue, turning what was once a county-specific filing into a state level process.
What This Means for Current DBA Holders
If your business currently has a Delaware Trade Name/DBA, you’ll be required to re-register it under the new system. This effort is designed to clean up outdated records, removing DBAs linked to inactive or dissolved businesses and ensuring the public registry reflects only valid, active names.
There is no fee to re-register an existing Trade Name/DBA.
Notifications & Deadlines
In late April, the Delaware Department of Revenue began notifying businesses using the mailing address on file with their DBA registration. If you didn’t receive a notice, your contact information may be incorrect or missing from the record. If that’s the case, you can reach out to info@accumera.com for assistance.
The deadline to re-register is August 1, 2025. If you miss it:
-
Your Trade Name/DBA will be released and made available to other businesses.
-
If you want to reclaim it after the deadline, you’ll need to pay the $25 registration fee again and link it to your business license.
Ongoing Use of Trade Names in Delaware
Unlike some states, Delaware Trade Names/DBAs do not expire as long as they are actively in use by a legally registered business. However, this one-time re-registration is mandatory to maintain your claim under the new centralized system.
Key Changes Starting June 2, 2025
-
State Filing: All DBA registrations will now go through the Delaware Department of Revenue.
-
No Notarization Required: The new process eliminates the need to notarize DBA applications.
-
New Trade Names: The $25 fee for new Trade Name/DBA filings remains unchanged.
Trade Name-Only Business Licenses
If your business does not operate in Delaware but you still need to register a Delaware Trade Name/DBA, you’ll need a Trade Name Only Business License. This license:
-
Allows DBA registration without triggering tax obligations (like gross receipts or income tax), as long as the business does not actively operate in Delaware.
-
Follows standard licensing rules, including annual renewal, fee proration, and expiration.
These updates streamline how DBAs are handled in Delaware—but also require immediate action from business owners. Make sure your business name stays protected by re-registering on time.
Have questions or need help navigating the re-registration process? Feel free to reach out.
