County

Trade Names

The Polk County Recorder's Office records, maintains and retrieves trade names for Sole Proprietorships or Co-Partnerships. All other business services (Corporations, etc.) are handled with the Secretary of State.

The recording fee for a Trade Name is $7.00 for the first page and $5.00 each additional page.  Trade Name Forms are availble in our office.

Please refer to the Iowa Code below before filling out the Trade Name. Also be sure to have your Trade Name notarized before being presented for filing. Click here for Trade Name Form

Chapter 547 - Code

Section 547.1 Use of Trade name - Verified Statement Required. It shall be unlawful for any person or co-partnership to engaged in or conduct a business under any trade name, or any assumed name of any character other than the true surname of each person or persons owning or having any interest in such business, unless such person or persons shall first record with the county recorder of the county in which the business is to be conducted a verified statement showing the name, post office address, and residence address of each person owning or having any interest in the business, and the address where the business is to be conducted.

Section 547.2 Change in Statement. A like verified statement shall be recorded of any change in ownership of the business, or persons interested therein, or a dissolution of the business, and the original owners shall be liable for all obligations until such certificate of change is recorded.

Section 547.3 Fee for recording. The county recorder shall charge and receive a fee in the amount specified in section 331.604 for each verified statement recorded under this chapter.

Section 547.4 Penalty. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding thirty (30) days.

Section 547.5. "Offense" Defined. Each day that any person or persons violate the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.

SOS Contact Info

Secretary of State
1st Floor, Lucas Bldg
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5204
515-242-5953 (Fax)
sos@sos.state.ia.us


We are open to the public 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday thru Friday. For same day service of Vital Records you must be in the office by 3:30pm. Passports are by appointment only. Call 515-286-3160 with any questions or to set up an appointment.