Georgia Trade Name Registration (Form SUP 30-244): What Gwinnett County Business Owners Need to Know About Notarization Under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-490

If you're starting or running a business in Gwinnett County and plan to operate under a name different from your personal legal name — "Joe's Lawn Care" instead of "Joseph Smith," for example — Georgia law requires you to register that trade name with the Clerk of Superior Court. The official form is Trade Name Registration Form (SUP 30-244), and yes, it must be notarized.

What Is a Trade Name Registration (DBA)?

A trade name — also called a "doing business as" (DBA) or assumed name — is the name under which a business operates that differs from the legal name of the person or entity that owns it. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and even corporations may need to file a trade name registration when their business name doesn't fully disclose the owner's identity.

Why Georgia Law Requires Notarization

Georgia's trade name statute, O.C.G.A. § 10-1-490, requires that the registration statement be "verified by affidavit." In legal terms, that means the document must be sworn to under oath before a notary public. The notary's seal serves as proof that the person signing the registration personally appeared, presented identification, and attested to the truth of the information in the statement.

This verification requirement helps prevent fraudulent business registrations and ensures that the public record accurately reflects who is behind a particular trade name. The Gwinnett County Clerk's office will not accept an unsworn registration statement.

How to File in Gwinnett County

Here are the key steps:

• Get the form: Download the Trade Name Registration Form (SUP 30-244) from the Gwinnett County Superior Court website at gwinnettcourts.com/superior/trade-name or pick up a copy in person at the courthouse.
• Complete the form: Provide the desired trade name, the nature of the business, and the names and addresses of all owners.
• Have it notarized: Sign the form in the presence of a Georgia notary public, who will verify your identity and notarize your signature.
• File with the Clerk: Bring the notarized form to the Clerk of Superior Court at the Gwinnett County Courthouse (Post Office Box 880, Lawrenceville, GA 30046).
• Pay the fees: $172.00 filing fee payable to Clerk of Superior Court, plus $40.00 publication fee payable to Gwinnett Daily Post.
• Publish notice: The clerk will require that notice of your registration be published in the Gwinnett Daily Post once a week for two consecutive weeks.

Penalties for Not Registering

Operating under an unregistered trade name in Georgia is a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-493. Additionally, failing to register may affect your ability to enforce contracts or defend your business name in court.

Need your Trade Name Registration notarized? Find a trusted notary in your area on Notary of Gwinnett.