Short answer. Sole proprietors and other unincorporated owners register a trade name with the city or town clerk. LLCs, corporations and nonprofits file a fictitious business name with the Secretary of State. A city or town trade name is renewed every year between September 1 and November 30, or it can be cancelled.
At a glance
- Called
- trade name (individuals); fictitious business name (entities)
- Where to file
- Depends on the owner
- Filing fee
- Secretary of State: $50 for a for-profit entity, $20 for a nonprofit. City or town trade name: $20, with no renewal fee.
- Local fees vary
- No
- How long it lasts
- Individuals: see the rule; entities: no expiry
Individuals and companies file in different places
Sole proprietors and other unincorporated owners register a trade name with the city or town clerk. LLCs, corporations and nonprofits file a fictitious business name with the Secretary of State.
Renewal, with dates
A city or town trade name is renewed every year between September 1 and November 30, or it can be cancelled. An entity's fictitious name doesn't need yearly renewal; it stays while the entity is in good standing.
For a registration filed on Wednesday, November 18, 2026:
- Sole proprietor or partnership: A city or town trade name is renewed every year between September 1 and November 30, or it can be cancelled.
- LLC or corporation: no expiry date
Your own date: open the calculator set to Rhode Island.
Not stated on the pages we read: a newspaper notice and online filing.
Official sources
- Rhode Island Secretary of State: Fictitious name vs trade name (checked November 2026)
- Rhode Island Secretary of State: Trade name costs and fees (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 Rhode Island?
It's called a trade name (individuals); fictitious business name (entities). Sole proprietors and other unincorporated owners register a trade name with the city or town clerk. LLCs, corporations and nonprofits file a fictitious business name with the Secretary of State.
What does it cost to register a business name in Rhode Island?
Secretary of State: $50 for a for-profit entity, $20 for a nonprofit. City or town trade name: $20, with no renewal fee.
How long does a Rhode Island trade name last?
A city or town trade name is renewed every year between September 1 and November 30, or it can be cancelled. An entity's fictitious name doesn't need yearly renewal; it stays while the entity is in good standing.
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