Registering an Assumed Business Name

Step 3 - Publish the Legal Notice

After filing the application for an Assumed Name Certificate, a notice of the filing of the certificate must be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

How to publish

1. You must submit the Legal Notice for publication in a local weekly newspaper that publishes in Cook County. The first date of publication must be no later than 15 calendar days from the original date of application.
2. Publish the notice once a week for three consecutive weeks.
3. The newspaper will provide you with a notarized Certificate of Publication with an original clipping of the published legal notice certifying that you have complied with the above requirements.
4. Submit proof of publication by presenting that form - along with an original clipping of the published Legal Notice - to the Cook County Clerk's office no later than 50 calendar days from the original date of application for the assumed name.
   • Mail:
     Cook County Clerk David Orr
     Bureau of Vital Records
     Attn: Assumed Name Unit
     P.O. Box 642570
     Chicago, IL 60664-2570
     
   • Deliver in person:
     • Cook County Clerk's Assumed Name Unit
       50 W. Washington
       West concourse level, Suite 114
       Chicago, IL
     • Bridgeview Courthouse
       Cook County Clerk's office
       10220 S. 76th Ave., Room 238
       Bridgeview, IL 60456
     • Rolling Meadows Courthouse
       Cook County Clerk's office
       2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238
       Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
       
5. The Clerk's office will issue you an Assumed Business Name Certificate and record the business name (same-day service for certificate receipt is available at the Clerk's Chicago location).