DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (DBA) REGISTRATION & PUBLICATION NOTICE

(“Notice”)

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Parties
   1.1 Registrant: [LEGAL NAME OF REGISTRANT], a [ENTITY TYPE] organized under the laws of [STATE/COUNTRY OF ORGANIZATION] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS] (“Registrant”).
   1.2 District: The Government of the District of Columbia acting through its Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection or any successor agency charged with fictitious-business-name administration (the “District Agency”).

2. Recitals
   A. Registrant desires to transact business in the District under the fictitious business name set forth below and is required to register such name with the District Agency and to satisfy statutory publication requirements.
   B. Registrant executes and files this Notice to comply with all applicable District laws governing fictitious or trade names.
   C. No consideration is exchanged; this Notice is a statutory filing and not an executory contract.

3. Effective Date & Jurisdiction
   3.1 Effective Date: The later of (a) the District Agency’s file-stamp date, or (b) the date this Notice is first published as required herein (“Effective Date”).
   3.2 Governing Law: The laws of the District of Columbia applicable to business entities (“state_business_law”).
   3.3 Forum Selection: Exclusive venue for any action relating to this Notice shall lie in the Office of the Clerk, Superior Court of the District of Columbia (“state_court_clerk”).

II. DEFINITIONS

For ease of reference, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:

“DBA” or “Fictitious Business Name” means the trade name under which Registrant intends to transact business in the District, identified in Section III.
“District Agency” has the meaning given in Section I.
“Publication Requirement” means the statutory obligation to publish the Notice once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the District within thirty (30) days of District Agency acceptance.
“Renewal Deadline” means April 1 of each second (2nd) calendar year following the calendar year of initial registration [// GUIDANCE: Verify current DLCP rules prior to filing].
“Notice” has the meaning given in the heading.

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

1. Adoption of Fictitious Business Name
   Registrant hereby adopts and shall conduct business in the District under the following fictitious business name:
   • Fictitious Business Name: [DBA NAME]

2. Filing Obligations
   2.1 Registrant shall file this Notice, together with all required District forms and fees, with the District Agency prior to the commencement of business under the DBA.
   2.2 Registrant shall maintain evidence of filing stamped by the District Agency.

3. Publication Obligations
   3.1 Within thirty (30) days after the District Agency accepts this Notice, Registrant shall publish the Notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the District once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks.
   3.2 Registrant shall secure and retain an affidavit of publication from the newspaper and file such affidavit with the District Agency within forty-five (45) days of initial acceptance.

4. Renewal
   Registrant shall renew the DBA registration with the District Agency on or before each Renewal Deadline for so long as Registrant continues to use the DBA.

5. Conditions Subsequent
   Failure to satisfy the Publication Requirement or any Renewal Deadline may result in administrative cancellation of the DBA by the District Agency without further notice.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

1. Registrant is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization.
2. The DBA is not identical or confusingly similar to any registered trade, service, or corporate name in the District to the best of Registrant’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry.
3. Registrant is not adopting the DBA for fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful purposes.
4. The execution and filing of this Notice do not violate Registrant’s organizational documents, any applicable law, or any agreement binding on Registrant.
5. Survival: The representations and warranties set forth herein survive the Effective Date for the duration of the DBA’s registration.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

1. Registrant shall (a) keep the information in this Notice current, (b) promptly amend this Notice upon any change, and (c) cease using the DBA immediately upon abandonment or administrative cancellation.
2. Registrant shall display the legal name “Registrant d/b/a [DBA NAME]” on all District-based signage, invoices, contracts, letterhead, and other business communications where practicable.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

1. Events of Default
   a. Failure to publish within the time period stated in Section III.3.
   b. Failure to file renewal by the Renewal Deadline.
   c. Material misrepresentation in this Notice.

2. Notice & Cure
   Upon written notice from the District Agency identifying a default, Registrant shall cure such default within ten (10) days or such longer period as the District Agency may allow.

3. Administrative Remedies
   The District Agency may impose any remedy available under District law, including suspension or cancellation of the DBA and assessment of statutory penalties.

4. Attorney’s Fees
   If the District Agency or any third party prevails in an action to enforce obligations arising from this Notice, Registrant shall be liable for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the fullest extent permitted by law.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

Indemnification, liability caps, and insurance requirements are Not Applicable to this statutory filing; Section VII is intentionally omitted.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

1. Governing Law: District of Columbia law.
2. Forum Selection: Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Office of the Clerk.
3. Arbitration: Not applicable.
4. Jury Waiver: Not applicable.
5. Injunctive Relief: Not applicable.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Amendment & Waiver: May be amended solely by filing a new or amended notice with the District Agency; no waiver shall be effective unless accepted in writing by the District Agency where required.
2. Assignment: The rights and obligations arising under this Notice are not assignable; a new filing is required for any transferee wishing to use the DBA.
3. Successors & Assigns: Subject to the foregoing, this Notice binds Registrant’s successors.
4. Severability: If any provision of this Notice is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in force to the maximum extent permitted by law.
5. Integration: This Notice constitutes the entire statement required for DBA registration in the District and supersedes all prior oral or written statements relating to the DBA.
6. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures: This Notice may be executed in counterparts and delivered electronically; all counterparts together constitute one instrument.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executes this District of Columbia Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Registration & Publication Notice as of the Effective Date.

[Notary Acknowledgment (if required)]
[// GUIDANCE: Confirm current DLCP notarization policy; notarization is typically not required for online filings, but verify before submission]

EXHIBIT A – FORM OF NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION

“Notice is hereby given that [LEGAL NAME] intends to conduct business in the District of Columbia under the trade name “[DBA NAME].” The principal place of business is located at [ADDRESS]. This notice is published pursuant to District law.”

[// GUIDANCE: Insert newspaper contact information and retain affidavits of publication for filing]

Prepared for legal review. Customize bracketed fields and verify all statutory references, deadlines, and agency procedures current as of the filing date.