Short answer. A sole proprietor files with the county clerk where the principal place of business is. A business entity files with the Secretary of State and gets a copy for the local county clerk's office. Cost: County clerk: $46 in Scott County for a filing, renewal or withdrawal. Secretary of State: $20 for an entity's renewal; the first-time state fee wasn't on the pages we opened. Five years from the filing date. File the renewal certificate within the six months before it expires.
At a glance
- Called
- assumed name
- Where to file
- Depends on the owner
- Filing fee
- County clerk: $46 in Scott County for a filing, renewal or withdrawal. Secretary of State: $20 for an entity's renewal; the first-time state fee wasn't on the pages we opened.
- How long it lasts
- Individuals: 5 years; entities: 5 years
Individuals and companies file in different places
A sole proprietor files with the county clerk where the principal place of business is. A business entity files with the Secretary of State and gets a copy for the local county clerk's office.
Setting up the books for the new name? A free bookkeeping health check.
Renewal, with dates
Five years from the filing date. File the renewal certificate within the six months before it expires. An entity's assumed name is effective for five years; renew within six months before expiration for another five.
For a registration filed on Monday, November 23, 2026:
- Sole proprietor or partnership: expires Sunday, November 23, 2031; renewal window opens Friday, May 23, 2031
- LLC or corporation: expires Sunday, November 23, 2031; renewal window opens Friday, May 23, 2031
Your own date: open the calculator set to Kentucky.
Not stated on the pages we read: whether local fees differ, a newspaper notice and online filing.
Official sources
- Scott County Clerk: Certificate of assumed name (checked November 2026)
- Kentucky Secretary of State form RAN: Renewal of assumed name (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 Kentucky?
It's called a assumed name. A sole proprietor files with the county clerk where the principal place of business is. A business entity files with the Secretary of State and gets a copy for the local county clerk's office.
What does it cost to register a business name in Kentucky?
County clerk: $46 in Scott County for a filing, renewal or withdrawal. Secretary of State: $20 for an entity's renewal; the first-time state fee wasn't on the pages we opened.
How long does a Kentucky assumed name last?
Five years from the filing date. File the renewal certificate within the six months before it expires. An entity's assumed name is effective for five years; renew within six months before expiration for another five.
All states: DBA registration by state · Iowa · Michigan