Assumed Name

A Certificate of Assumed Name must be filed if an individual, corporation, limited liability company, business trust or any type of partnership conducts business under an assumed name or style other than its "real name" as defined in KRS 365.015 (1).  Click here for more information on filing an assumed name.

Assumed name filings for sole proprietorships are filed only with the county clerk in the county in which the individual's principal place of business is located. 

For all other entities, the Certificate of Assumed Name must be filed with the Secretary of State and the county clerk where the entity maintains its registered agent for service of process or, if no registered agent for service of process is required, then with the county clerk of the county where the entity maintains its principal office.

If the entity does not maintain a registered agent for service of process and does not maintain a principal office in the Commonwealth, then the certificate of assumed name shall be filed with only the Secretary of State. The assumed name shall be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State from every other name on file with the Secretary of State as discussed above in the Name Availability section.  A Certificate of Assumed Name for corporations, limited liability companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and business trusts is available from the Secretary of State.