County Clerk
Business Registration
Registration is required by state law and is done through the County Clerk's Office in each county in which you plan to do business. Please note: The County Clerk’s Office will not process business registrations after 4:45pm, please plan accordingly.
Doing Business As (DBA) or Co-Partnership
- Check the name
The first step is to confirm that the business name you have selected is acceptable. The Clerk is authorized to reject any assumed name, which is likely to mislead the public, or is similar to other business names as to lead to confusion or deception. The registering of the name places that name on public record indicating that the registrant(s) is/are conducting business under an assumed name. A DBA protects a business from possible name duplications by other businesses. - Check with the State
This ensures that the business name is not being used by a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), limited liability partnership (LLP), or non-profit organization, which are filed at the State. - Complete Business Registration Form
Registration is good for 5 years and renewable 30-90 days prior to expiration.- Business Registration Form
- Business Registration Addendum - use if more than 4 partners or if partner(s) are out-of-state
- Non-Resident Form - use if applicant out-of-state resident
- Notify Clerk's Office.
- To change name or type of business, you must file a new certificate. (Business Registration Form)
- To change address for the business (Change of Address Form)
- To add or remove owners
- To dissolve the business (Notice of Dissolution Form)
- Pay Fees. Cash or check payable to Kent County Clerk.
| Business Registration Certificate | Fees |
|---|---|
| Assumed Name | $10.00 1 |
| Partnership | $10.00 1 |
| Name Change | $10.00 2 |
| Notice of Dissolution | $5.00 |
| Change of Address | $5.00 |
| Certified Copies (each) | $2.00 |
1 Includes two certified copies for sole proprietorship and
three certified copies for co-partnerships issued at time of filing.
2 Must file new certificate.
Certified Copies
Certified copies of Business Registration Certificates ($2.00 per copy) can be obtained in person or by mailing a request to:
Kent County Clerk
County Administration Building, 1st floor
300 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2288
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Additional Resources & Contacts
Listed below are some of the agencies that handle other requirements and regulations which may affect your business. Please contact them directly.
Grand Rapids City Clerk
(616) 456-3017Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporation Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing MI 48909
Phone: (517) 241-6470
Fax: (517) 241-0538
Document Review: (517) 241-6470Michigan Business One Stop - the official State of Michigan website where you can register to start a business and file for sales tax, licenses and permits.
Phone: (877) 766-1779U.S. Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-3676Michigan Dept Of Treasury
State Level
Treasury Building
430 West Allegan Street
Lansing MI 48922
(517) 373-3200Michigan Economic Development Corp
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
Call Center: (888) 522-0103Service Corps Of Retired Executives Association (S.C.O.R.E.)
The Waters Building
111 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids MI 49503-2831
(616) 771-0305Michigan Office Of Ombudsman
(517) 373-9808Better Business Bureau
40 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
(616) 774-8236Grand Rapids Chamber Of Commerce
111 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
(616) 771-0300
(Small Business Division)Grand Rapids Zoning Office
1120 Monroe Avenue SE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
(616) 456-3159
The County Clerk cannot give legal advice. You may wish to contact your legal advisor for more information on registering a business.