Persons who own, conduct or transact business in St. Joseph County are required, by statute, to file their business names in the county, on forms provided by the County Clerk’s Office. A Certificate of Assumed Name and a Certificate of Co-partnership must be filed in every county where business is conducted.

Anyone wishing to register a Certificate of Assumed Name or a Certificate of Co-Partnership should either come into the Clerk's Office or call (269) 467-5602 if they can not print the following forms from their computer:

• Certificate of Assumed Name (Fillable Form)
• Certificate of Co-Partnership (Fillable Form)
• Dissolution of Assumed Name (PDF)

The following entities DO NOT FILE at the county level:

• Corporations
• Limited Partnerships
• Limited Liability Companies
• Assumed Names Owned by Corporations
• Nonprofit Organizations Owned by Corporations

At the time of filing, this office will verify if the business name chosen is available. Once accepted certified copies of that business name will be issued. The Certificate of Assumed Name and Certificate of Co-Partnership are not complicated, yet they are legal documents. Information given on them should be as complete and accurate as possible. Each certificate is valid for five years from the date of filing. Notarization of the certificate is also necessary. 

It is the responsibility of persons owning a business 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

Please Note: The only function of this office is to register business names at the county level. There may be other local, state or federal agencies that handle requirements and regulations which affect your business name.

You can contact the Michigan Economic Development Corporation at (517) 373-9808 or visit www.michigan.org for additional information.

Copy Requests

Anyone may request a Certified copy of either a Certificate of Assumed Name, Certificate of Co-Partnership, or a dissolution.

Fees

Make Money Order Payable to: St. Joseph County Clerk

• $10.00 for filing or renewing the Certificate of Assumed Name or the Certificate of Co-Partnership. Two (2) Certified Copies will be provided.
• $10.00 for a dissolution of either. Two (2) Certified Copies will be provided.
• $2.00 for additional copies of either a Certificate of Assumed Name, Co-Partnership, or a dissolution.

Record Indices

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