Name/DBA Fictitious Business Name Notice
ALABAMA TRADE NAME REGISTRATION WORKSHEET
State of Alabama
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions
- Representations & Warranties
- Covenants & Restrictions
- Default & Remedies
- Risk Allocation (Reserved)
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
1.1 Title.
ALABAMA TRADE NAME REGISTRATION WORKSHEET
1.2 Registrant.
[LEGAL NAME OF REGISTRANT], a [state & entity type] (the “Registrant”).
1.3 Trade Name.
The Registrant uses or intends to use in Alabama the trade name:
[DBA / FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME] (the “Trade Name”).
1.4 Effective Date.
This Worksheet is prepared as of [__/__/____].
1.5 Jurisdiction & Venue.
Alabama administers trade names with trademarks and service marks under Ala. Code § 8-12-1 et seq. The Secretary of State describes registration as a state mark-registration process; it is not a newspaper-publication procedure and does not itself decide ownership disputes.
2. DEFINITIONS
The following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below. Defined terms include the singular and plural forms.
“Alabama Secretary of State” means the Office of the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services Division.
“Business Address” means the Registrant’s principal place of business: [STREET, CITY, COUNTY, AL ZIP].
“Specimen” means an example showing the Trade Name actually used in Alabama commerce.
“Registration Term” means the five-year term stated by the Alabama Secretary of State for a registered trademark, service mark, or trade name.
“Trade Name Registration” means an application accepted by the Alabama Secretary of State under Ala. Code § 8-12-1 et seq. Registration is distinct from entity-name formation, local licensing, and federal trademark registration.
3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
3.1 Registration Status.
☐ The Applicant is applying to register a Trade Name already in use in Alabama.
☐ The Applicant is evaluating whether state registration is appropriate and will not represent that the name is registered unless the Secretary of State accepts the application.
3.2 Official Application Package.
Prepare the current Secretary of State application and attach:
- the completed, notarized application;
- three specimens showing the Trade Name in use;
- the $30 registration fee; and
- any additional material requested by the Secretary of State.
Do not publish this Worksheet as a purported Alabama statutory notice. The official state materials reviewed for this template prescribe an application, specimens, and fee, not newspaper publication.
3.3 Renewal.
A registration is effective for five years. If the Trade Name remains in use, calendar the renewal window during the six months preceding expiration and submit the current renewal application, one specimen, and the renewal fee.
3.4 Assignment or Cancellation.
Use the Secretary of State's current assignment process for a lawful transfer. A voluntary cancellation may be submitted in writing. This Worksheet does not impose a fabricated 30- or 90-day cancellation deadline.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
The Registrant represents and warrants to all interested persons that:
4.1 Authority. It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its state of formation and is authorized to do business in Alabama.
4.2 Name Review. The Registrant has searched Alabama trade-name records and separately evaluated federal, state, and common-law name rights. Registration does not by itself establish exclusive ownership; ownership conflicts are resolved outside the Secretary of State's filing office.
4.3 Non-Infringement. Use of the Trade Name does not knowingly infringe the trademark, service mark, or trade-name rights of any third party.
4.4 Accuracy. All statements contained in this Notice and in any related filings are true, correct, and complete in all material respects as of the Effective Date.
The foregoing representations and warranties survive for so long as the Trade Name remains in use.
5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
5.1 Compliance Covenant. The Registrant shall keep its registration information accurate and comply with applicable entity, licensing, tax, and trademark requirements.
5.2 Prohibition on Unlawful Use. The Registrant shall not use the Trade Name for any unlawful purpose or in any manner that causes confusion with a governmental entity or another registrant.
6. FILING EFFECT
The Secretary of State filing is a registration record, not a contract with interested persons. This Worksheet creates no cure period, private attorney-fee right, exclusive venue, or automatic cancellation remedy.
7. RISK ALLOCATION
[Reserved — Not Applicable to this Notice]
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law. This Notice and any dispute arising hereunder are governed by the laws of the State of Alabama without regard to conflicts-of-law principles.
8.2 Forum Selection. No exclusive forum is created by this Worksheet.
8.3 Arbitration; Jury Trial. No arbitration agreement is created, and no jury trial waiver is intended or implied by this Notice.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Amendments. Any amendment to this Notice must (i) be in writing, (ii) reference this Notice, and (iii) be executed by the Registrant.
9.2 Severability. If any provision of this Notice is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, and the court shall reform the invalid provision to best effectuate the parties’ intent.
9.3 Entire Worksheet. This document is a preparation aid for the official filing and does not replace Form LAT-1 or its instructions.
9.4 Signature Formalities. Use the signature and notarization required by the current official application.
10. APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information in this Worksheet is accurate and that the official application and specimens will be reviewed before submission.
| Applicant | Authorized Signer |
|---|---|
| Legal name: [________________________________] | Name: [________________________________] |
| Address: [________________________________] | Title: [________________________________] |
| Trade Name: [________________________________] | Signature: [________________________________] |
| First use in Alabama: [__/__/____] | Date: [__/__/____] |
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
About This Template
Corporate documents govern how a company makes decisions, records them, and handles disputes between owners, directors, and officers. Proper corporate paperwork is what lets a business take advantage of limited liability, pass clean audits, and survive an acquisition or investor review. Skipping formalities like written resolutions and signed consents is one of the fastest ways for a business owner to lose personal asset protection.
Important Notice
This template is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Last updated: July 2026
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