Form Completion and Filing Instructions

Business Certificate - Sole Proprietorship (Individual) and Partnership

1. Check the Suffolk County Clerk’s Business Certificates website here (scroll down and accept the Use and Dissemination Agreement, then place the mouse on Searches to expand menu) to ensure that the business name you want to use is available. Once you have determined the name of your business you will need to determine the Type of Business that you will file.
2. Click here to print and complete the appropriate Business Certificate form using black ink only.
   • Line 1 enter the Business Name
   • Line 2 enter the Street Address (A legal street address is required for the business and filer's residence. No post office boxes, care of (c/o) or mailboxes, etc. addresses will be accepted)
   • Line 3 enter City, State and Zip Code
   • Line 4 enter your Full Name
   • Line 5 enter your Street Address, City, State and Zip Code
   • Line 6 enter NO ONE unless you are buying an existing business from someone and are keeping the same business name. In that case, you would enter the name of the person that sold the business to you.
3. Have the completed Business Certificate form notarized.
4. Once the Business Certificate form has been notarized, submit the original along with the appropriate fee to the Suffolk County Clerk’s Business Certificate Department either in person (someone other than you may file) or mail to: Suffolk County Clerk's Office, ATTN: Business Certificates, 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901

Amended Business Certificate - Sole Proprietorship (Individual) and Partnership

1. Click here to print and complete the appropriate Amended Business Certificate form using black ink only.
   • Line 1 enter the Business Name
   • Line 2 enter the Street Address (A legal street address is required for the business and filer's residence. No post office boxes, care of (c/o) or mailboxes, etc. addresses will be accepted)
   • Line 3 enter the *File Date of the original Business Certificate
   • Line 4 enter the *File Number of the original Business Certificate
   • Line 5 enter the *File Number of the most recently filed amended Business Certificate (if applicable)
   • Line 6 enter the *File Date of the most recently filed amended Business Certificate (if applicable)
   • Line 7 enter the new information in the space provided
   * You may check the Suffolk County Clerk’s Business Certificates website here for the information.
2. Have the completed Amended Business Certificate form notarized.
3. Once the Amended Business Certificate form has been notarized, submit the original along with the appropriate fee to the Suffolk County Clerk’s Business Certificate Department either in person (someone other than you may file) or by mail to: Suffolk County Clerk's Office, ATTN: Business Certificates, 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901

Certificate of Discontinuance - Sole Proprietorship (Individual) and Partnership

1. Click here to print and complete the appropriate Certificate of Discontinuance form using black ink only.
   • Line 1 enter the Business Name
   • Line 2 enter the Street Address (A legal street address is required for the business and filer's residence. No post office boxes, care of (c/o) or mailboxes, etc. addresses will be accepted)
   • Line 3 enter the *File Date of the original Business Certificate
   • Line 4 enter the *File Number of the original Business Certificate
   • Line 5 enter the *File Number of the most recently filed amended Business Certificate (if applicable)
   • Line 6 enter the *File Date of the most recently filed amended Business Certificate (if applicable)
   • Line 7 enter the effective date of discontinuance
   *You may check the Suffolk County Clerk’s Business Certificates website here for the information.
2. Have the completed Certificate of Discontinuance of Business form notarized.
3. Once the Certificate of Discontinuance of Business form has been notarized, submit the original to the Suffolk County Clerk’s Business Certificate Department either in person (someone other than you may file) or by mail to: Suffolk County Clerk's Office, ATTN: Business Certificates, 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901

Payment
Payment may be made in the form of a Personal Check, Certified Bank Check, Money Order and Attorney’s Check made payable to the Suffolk County Clerk.
Any returned check incurs a $20.00 fee.
When submitting a Business Certificate also include a self- addressed stamped envelope.

Mail to:
Suffolk County Clerk’s Office
ATTN: Business Certificates
310 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901