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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in New Hampshire.
| Official Term | Trade name (registered statewide) [1] |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division [1] |
| Form | Application for Registration of Trade Name, Form TN-1 [2] |
| State Fee | $50 per trade name registration [1] |
| Processing Time | Online filings through NH QuickStart are fastest; a filed-stamped copy of a mailed application is returned within 30 days [2] |
| Renewal | Valid for 5 years, then renewable for $50; the Corporation Division mails a reminder before it expires [1] |
| Cancellation | File a Trade Name Discontinuance, Form TN-9; the fee is $10 [1] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In New Hampshire, the official term is "trade name," and the filing is called an Application for Registration of Trade Name.
New Hampshire law requires anyone doing business under a name other than their own legal name to register that name with the Secretary of State. [4] For example, John D. Smith doing business as "John D. Smith" does not have to register, but "John Smith Enterprises" does, because "Enterprises" is not part of his legal name. [1]
A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your ownership structure. It is only a name your business is authorized to operate under.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Brand Flexibility | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors operate under their personal names by default. A trade name lets you do business under a professional brand instead. | New Hampshire banks generally require a registered trade name before opening a business account in a name other than your legal name. | One entity can run several brands or product lines under separate trade names without forming a new company for each. | A trade name keeps your personal identity off public branding and signals to customers that you are an established business. |
New Hampshire registers trade names at the state level. Every applicant, whether a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, or corporation, files the same Application for Registration of Trade Name (Form TN-1) with the Secretary of State, Corporation Division. There is no separate county filing. [1]
The Secretary of State searches your proposed trade name for availability when it receives your application, and a name that conflicts with an existing registration can be refused. Doing your own search first saves you from filing a name that is already taken. [2]
You can search existing business and trade names for free through the NH QuickStart business name lookup. Confirm your name is clear before you file. [6]
New Hampshire trade name rules are light, but a few hard limits apply.
| No corporate designators | Match the name to your real business | Conflicts are screened on receipt |
|---|---|---|
| A trade name cannot include "Inc." or another corporate designation unless the business is actually organized that way. The name on Form TN-1 must fit your real structure. [2] | A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name. An organizational identifier is not required and should match your actual business type. | The Secretary of State checks your name against existing registrations when you file, so a conflicting name can be rejected. A clear search up front avoids a wasted filing. [2] |
Run a federal trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Registering a trade name in New Hampshire gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [5]
Every applicant files Form TN-1, the Application for Registration of Trade Name, with the Secretary of State, Corporation Division. You can file online through NH QuickStart or print the form and mail it. [2]
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Register a trade name (Form TN-1) with the Secretary of State | $50 [1] |
| Renew a trade name before it expires | $50 [1] |
| Discontinue a trade name (Form TN-9) | $10 [1] |
Online filings through NH QuickStart are processed fastest. If you mail Form TN-1, the Corporation Division returns a filed-stamped copy within 30 days; if you do not receive one, contact the office. [2]
Keep the file-stamped registration. Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for it before they let you operate or accept funds under the trade name.
A New Hampshire trade name registration is valid for 5 years. It is renewable for another $50, and the Corporation Division mails a reminder notice before it expires, so calendar the renewal to keep the name active. [1]
A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners, and getting it wrong can be costly.
A DBA is only a name. It does not create a legal entity. It does not protect your personal assets. If someone sues your business, your personal finances are exposed.
Forming an LLC means you are creating a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business debts and lawsuits.
If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, a trade name is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection, you need an LLC or a corporation.
Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA to run a brand under a name different from the LLC legal name.
| Feature | DBA (Trade Name) | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a legal entity | No | Yes |
| Personal asset protection | No | Yes |
| Changes the tax treatment | No | Can elect a different tax status |
| Required to operate under a different name | Yes, if the name differs from your legal name | No, the LLC name is its legal name |
| Cost to register | $50 state fee + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most New Hampshire trade name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
The Secretary of State checks your trade name against existing registrations when you file, so a conflicting name can be refused. Search first through NH QuickStart before you commit to a brand. [6]
A trade name cannot include "Inc." or another corporate designation unless your business is organized that way. A sole proprietor should not add "LLC" or "Corp" to a trade name. [2]
Registering a new trade name uses Form TN-1, while discontinuing one uses Form TN-9. Using the wrong form delays your filing. [1]
A New Hampshire trade name is valid for 5 years, not forever. Calendar the renewal so your registration does not lapse, even though the state mails a reminder. [1]
A trade name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not shield your personal finances. If you want protection, form an LLC.
State registration is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [5]
[1] New Hampshire Secretary of State. Trade Names, Forms and Fees. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[2] New Hampshire Secretary of State. Form TN-1, Application for Registration of Trade Name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[3] New Hampshire Secretary of State. NH QuickStart Online Filing. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[4] New Hampshire General Court. Revised Statutes Annotated, Chapter 349, Trade Names. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[5] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[6] New Hampshire Secretary of State. NH QuickStart Business Name Lookup. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[7] New Hampshire Secretary of State. Business FAQs. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division. Business forms, fees, and NH QuickStart online filing access.
New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. State tax registration and information for New Hampshire businesses.
IRS. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
U.S. Small Business Administration, New Hampshire District Office. SBA support and resources for New Hampshire small businesses.
