Delaware Delays Statewide Trade Name Registration Overhaul to February 2026

DE| Delaware business owners with trade names or DBAs will now see the major changes to DBA/Trade Name registration in early 2026, with further instructions and outreach to be provided by the Delaware Division of Revenue before then. Original Start date was set for June 2, 2025; No action is required until new guidance is issued.

Summary of Delaware Trade Name/DBA Registration Changes

House Bill 40 (HB 40) – This change delayed by House Bill 177 below.

• HB 40 was signed into law on February 7, 2025, and was originally set to take effect on June 2, 2025.
• It overhauls Delaware’s trade name (DBA) registration process, moving it from a county-based, paper, and notarized filing system to a single, statewide, online process managed by the Delaware Division of Revenue.
• All businesses using trade names—including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietors—would be required to re-register their DBAs through the new system.
• The law introduces a $25 filing fee for each statewide trade name registration, eliminating the need for separate filings and fees in each county.
• For Delaware corporations and LLCs not doing business in Delaware but wishing to register a trade name, a new $25 annual “Trade Name Only” business license is required.
• The re-registration period was set to run from June 2, 2025, to August 1, 2025, after which unclaimed trade names would become available to others on a first-come, first-served basis.

House Bill 177 (HB 177)

• HB 177 was signed into law on May 27, 2025, and delays the effective date of the changes made by HB 40 and earlier related legislation.
• The new effective date for the statewide trade name registration process is now February 2, 2026, instead of June 2, 2025.
• HB 177 also directs the Division of Revenue to conduct outreach to agencies and businesses before February 2, 2026, including publishing an FAQ guide on its website to explain the upcoming changes.

What Delaware Business Owners with Trade Names/DBAs Can Expect

• No Immediate Re-Registration: The previously announced June 2–August 1, 2025, re-registration window is canceled; the new window will open on February 2, 2026.
• Further Instructions to Come: Expect official communications and detailed instructions from the Division of Revenue before the new effective date.
• Prepare for Statewide Registration: All existing county-level trade name/DBA registrations will need to be re-registered in the new statewide online system in 2026 to remain valid.
• Potential for Name Conflicts: Because registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, businesses should be ready to act promptly in 2026 to retain their trade names.
• No Fee for Re-Registration: There will be no fee for re-registering an existing trade name during the initial transition window; new registrations or late filings will incur a $25 fee.
• Special License for Out-of-State Entities: Delaware corporations and LLCs not doing business in the state but wanting a DBA will need a “Trade Name Only” business license at $25 per year.

What to Do Now

• Monitor Official Communications: Watch for updates and guidance from the Delaware Division of Revenue in the coming months.
• Review Your DBA Records: Ensure your business contact information is up to date so you receive all relevant notices.
• Be Ready for 2026: Plan to promptly re-register your trade name(s) once the new system opens to avoid losing your DBA.