Business Names

Business Names may be obtained at the Clerk's Office at the County Administration Center, 701 Main Street, St. Joseph or at the Clerk's Office at the South County Building, 1205 N. Front Street, Niles.

Persons who own, conduct or transact business in Berrien County are required by statute to file their business names.  This office reserves the right to receive documents but delay filing, until all statutory requirements are met. Businesses filing in Berrien County must use forms provided by this office.  Assumed Name and Co-Partnership Certificates must be filed in every county where business is conducted.

The "Certificate of Assumed Name" and "Certificate of Co-Partnership" are legal documents. Information given on these forms should be as complete and accurate as possible. It is your responsibility to check at the state level, local telephone books, and news media to make certain there is no existing business using the name you have chosen.

Corporations, LLC's and LLP's do not file Assumed Name Certificates with this office. Contact the Corporation Bureau in Lansing (517) 241-6470.

Non-Profit organizations, owned by corporations, do not file with this office. Contact the Corporation Bureau in Lansing (517) 241-6470.

The fee for filing or renewing either the Certificate of Assumed Name or the Certificate of Co-partnership is $10.00; the certificate is valid for five years (less one day) from the date of filing.

Notarization of the certificate is also necessary. This office will provide notarization if the owner has a current valid driver's license or state-issued ID, with correct residential address.  The Certificate of Assumed Name, or DBA, is a sole proprietorship and allows for only one owner and one signature. A Certificate of Co-Partnership allows for two or more owners and all must provide signatures on the form. However, only one owner's signature needs to be notarized.

It is your responsibility to notify this office and file the required forms if:

• The principal address of the business changes
• Persons are added or deleted from the business name certificate
• The business is dissolved (Certificate of Discontinuance)

For detailed instructions on these forms, please read the DBA and Co-Partnership Information form.  Additional information can also be found at the State of Michigan's website for businesses: