Short answer. Sole proprietorships and co-partnerships record a verified statement with the county recorder (Iowa Code chapter 547). Corporations and other entities go through the Secretary of State. Cost: County recorder: $7 for the first page and $5 for each extra page in Polk County. The Secretary of State's fee wasn't stated on the pages we opened. Iowa Code chapter 547 sets no expiration or renewal for a county trade name statement; a new verified statement is recorded when ownership changes, and the original owners stay liable until a certificate of change is recorded.
At a glance
- Called
- trade name
- Where to file
- Depends on the owner
- Filing fee
- County recorder: $7 for the first page and $5 for each extra page in Polk County. The Secretary of State's fee wasn't stated on the pages we opened.
- How long it lasts
- No expiry
- Newspaper notice
- Not required
Individuals and companies file in different places
Sole proprietorships and co-partnerships record a verified statement with the county recorder (Iowa Code chapter 547). Corporations and other entities go through the Secretary of State.
Setting up the books for the new name? A free bookkeeping health check.
Renewal, with dates
Iowa Code chapter 547 sets no expiration or renewal for a county trade name statement; a new verified statement is recorded when ownership changes, and the original owners stay liable until a certificate of change is recorded.
For a registration filed on Wednesday, November 18, 2026:
- LLC or corporation: not confirmed
No newspaper notice
Iowa Code chapter 547 (county trade name statements) has no newspaper publication requirement.
Your own date: open the calculator set to Iowa.
Not stated on the pages we read: whether local fees differ and online filing.
Official sources
- Polk County Recorder: Trade names (checked November 2026)
- Iowa Legislature: Iowa Code chapter 547, Trade Names (2026) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the pages above. Fees and forms change, and a county or town office can add its own steps, so confirm with the filing office before you file. We don't file DBAs or trade names for anyone.
Questions people ask
Where is a DBA filed in Iowa?
It's called a trade name. Sole proprietorships and co-partnerships record a verified statement with the county recorder (Iowa Code chapter 547). Corporations and other entities go through the Secretary of State.
What does it cost to register a business name in Iowa?
County recorder: $7 for the first page and $5 for each extra page in Polk County. The Secretary of State's fee wasn't stated on the pages we opened.
How long does a Iowa trade name last?
Iowa Code chapter 547 sets no expiration or renewal for a county trade name statement; a new verified statement is recorded when ownership changes, and the original owners stay liable until a certificate of change is recorded.
Is a newspaper notice part of filing in Iowa?
No. Iowa Code chapter 547 (county trade name statements) has no newspaper publication requirement.
All states: DBA registration by state · Illinois · Kentucky