Michigan Form CSCL/CD-731 is the Certificate of Assumed Name that domestic and foreign profit corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) file with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, when they want to transact business under a name other than their true legal name. The form costs $25, lasts five years, and gives the entity the legal right to sign contracts, open bank accounts, and advertise under the assumed (DBA) name.
Filing this form wrong is one of the top reasons LARA rejects business filings, and a 2024 LARA bureau report noted that more than 60,000 assumed name certificates move through the bureau each year, with rejection rates climbing during peak filing windows in January and July. This guide walks you through every box, signature line, and fee tier on the official CSCL/CD-731 PDF so your filing is accepted the first time.
- 📝 How to complete every field on Form CSCL/CD-731 line by line
- 🏢 Which entity types must file and which signature rules apply
- 💵 Exact fees, expedited service tiers, and how to pay them
- 📬 How to file by mail, in person, or online through the COFS portal
- ⚠️ Field-level mistakes that trigger rejection and how to avoid them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form CSCL/CD-731 is the official Certificate of Assumed Name used in Michigan for entities formed under four statutes: the Business Corporation Act (BCA), the Limited Liability Company Act (LLCA), the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, and the LLP provisions of the Uniform Partnership Act. The form lets one entity operate under additional brand names without forming a new company. It does not apply to nonprofits filing assumed names; nonprofits use a parallel track on form CSCL/CD-541 with the same bureau.
You must file this form if your entity sells goods or services under any name other than the true name on its formation document. For example, Detroit Precision Tools, Inc. cannot legally invoice customers as Motor City Machining until it files Form CSCL/CD-731. Sole proprietors and general partnerships do not use this form; they file a separate assumed name certificate at the county clerk where they do business.
The agency that receives the form is LARA’s Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL) in Lansing. The current revision date printed at the bottom of the form is (Rev. 07/15), and that revision remains the accepted version as of the 2026 filing year. Foreign (out-of-state) corporations and LLCs authorized to transact business in Michigan use the same form, with a Michigan CID (Customer ID Number) issued by LARA at the time of foreign qualification.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling these items together before you open the PDF saves a rejection trip and a second $25 fee. Each item below ties to a specific field on the form, and missing any one of them is a known cause of LARA rejection notices issued under Mich Admin Code R 450.1503.
- True legal name of the entity — must match the formation document on file with LARA exactly, including punctuation and the entity designator (Inc., LLC, L.P.).
- Michigan CID number — the six-digit identifier LARA assigned when the entity formed or qualified; without it, the filing cannot be matched to your record.
- Proposed assumed name — checked for availability through the LARA Business Entity Search before filing, because duplicate or confusingly similar names are rejected.
- Entity type box — you must know whether you are a profit corporation, LLC, LP, or LLP, since the wrong checkbox triggers a return.
- Authorized signer name and title — president, vice-president, manager, member, or general partner depending on entity type.
- Filing fee of $25 — payable by check, money order, credit card, or LARA prepaid MICH-ELF account; missing payment voids the filing.
- Expedited fee (optional) — $50, $100, $500, or $1,000 depending on speed; pay only if you need faster review than the standard 10–15 business days.
- Return address — where LARA mails the date-stamped certified copy after approval, used for your corporate book and bank.
- Email address (optional) — speeds up rejection notices because LARA emails problems before mailing them.
- Good standing status — confirm through the LARA entity search that your annual report is current; the bureau will reject assumed name filings from entities not in good standing.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official PDF lives on LARA’s website. Download the current version directly from the CSCL/CD-731 form page so you are not working from an outdated copy a third-party site cached. Printing the form on plain white 8.5 x 11 inch paper is required; LARA scans the document, and colored paper or shrunk margins cause optical character recognition (OCR) errors during intake.
You can also file electronically through the COFS (Corporations Online Filing System) portal, which mirrors the paper form box-for-box. The online flow uses the same field labels but auto-fills the entity name and CID once you log in with your CID and PIN. If you have lost your PIN, request a reset on the PIN reset page before you start, because the system locks you out after three failed tries.
In-person filers walk the form into the Corporations Division, 2407 N. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Counter intake is available for filers who pay an expedited fee, and same-day service requires the document arrive before 1:00 p.m. with the $1,000 expedite fee attached. Walk-in filers should bring two copies — one for LARA, one to be date-stamped and returned for the corporate book.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out CSCL/CD-731 Line by Line
The form has a single page with a heading block, an entity-type checkbox row, four numbered substantive items, a signature block, and a return-address block at the bottom. Complete the boxes in the order they appear; skipping around invites missed fields. Use black ink and ALL CAPITAL LETTERS if filling by hand, because LARA’s scanner reads block printing more reliably than cursive.
Heading Block: Date Received Stamp Area
The top of the form contains the “Date Received” stamp box reserved for LARA staff. You leave this entire block blank.
LARA’s intake clerk stamps this box with the official receipt date, which becomes the legal filing date for purposes of the five-year expiration clock. Maria Lopez, the sole member of Lopez Family Bakery LLC, leaves the entire stamp area untouched when she prepares her form. A common edge case is filers who write their own filing date in this box thinking it speeds processing; LARA actually returns these forms because the stamp is reserved for the bureau.
The most common mistake is writing in or signing this box, and the consequence is automatic rejection with a Form CSCL/CD-518 notice attached. A misconception filers carry is that the date in this box is the date the assumed name becomes “effective.” It is not — the effective date is the date LARA stamps it received, not any date the filer writes elsewhere on the form.
Entity Type Checkbox Row
The form contains four checkboxes labeled Profit Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership, and Limited Liability Partnership. Check exactly one box.
The plain-English question is: under which Michigan statute was your entity formed or registered? Detroit Precision Tools, Inc., a Michigan corporation formed under the BCA, checks the Profit Corporation box. Sunbelt Logistics LLC, a Delaware LLC qualified to do business in Michigan, checks the Limited Liability Company box.
A nuance arises for professional corporations and LLCs (PCs and PLLCs): they still use this form and check the matching base box, because professional entities are subsections of the same statutes. The most common mistake is a foreign entity checking no box at all, which produces an automatic rejection because the bureau cannot route the filing to the correct examination team. The misconception filers hold is that they can check more than one box for a “hybrid” entity; Michigan recognizes only one entity classification per CID, so checking two boxes voids the form.
Item 1: True Name of the Entity
Item 1 asks for the true legal name as it appears on the entity’s articles of incorporation or articles of organization. Write the name exactly, including Inc., Corporation, LLC, L.L.C., L.P., or LLP, with the same punctuation and spacing on file with LARA.
For example, James Carter, president of Detroit Precision Tools, Inc., writes DETROIT PRECISION TOOLS, INC. in the Item 1 line. The edge case is entities whose names contain accents or special characters: LARA does not accept diacritics in this field, so Café Noir LLC enters as CAFE NOIR LLC. Another edge case is recently amended names — use the current name on file, not the original or any pending amendment.
The most common mistake is omitting the entity designator (writing Detroit Precision Tools instead of Detroit Precision Tools, Inc.), and the consequence is rejection because the bureau cannot match the filing to a record. The misconception is that the assumed name being added in Item 3 belongs in Item 1; Item 1 is always the existing legal name, never the new DBA.
Item 2: Identification (CID) Number
Item 2 requests the entity’s six-digit Michigan CID number. You find this number on the entity’s LARA business entity search record or on any prior filing receipt.
Maria Lopez searches Lopez Family Bakery LLC on the LARA portal, copies the CID 802345678, and writes it into Item 2. The edge case is foreign entities, which receive a Michigan CID at the moment of foreign qualification — that CID, not the home-state file number, goes in Item 2. Another nuance is entities reinstated after dissolution: use the original CID, because LARA preserves the number through reinstatement.
The most common mistake is entering the federal EIN in this box, and the consequence is a rejection notice because LARA cannot locate the entity. A misconception is that the CID changes when the entity amends its name or address; the CID is permanent for the life of the entity in Michigan.
Item 3: The Assumed Name
Item 3 is the heart of the form: the assumed name under which business will be transacted. Write the proposed DBA in capital letters.
The assumed name cannot include corporate designators like Inc., Corp., LLC, or L.P. unless those words are part of a registered trademark, because the public should not be misled into thinking the assumed name is itself a separate entity. Detroit Precision Tools, Inc. writes MOTOR CITY MACHINING in Item 3 — not Motor City Machining, Inc. The edge case is names that include numerals or punctuation: ampersands, periods, and hyphens are accepted; emojis, slashes, and @ symbols are not.
The biggest mistake is filing an assumed name that conflicts with another active Michigan name; the consequence is a rejection that still costs the $25 fee in some intake situations. A common misconception is that filing this form gives you trademark rights to the assumed name; it does not. Trademark protection requires a separate filing with the USPTO or the Michigan Secretary of State trademark unit.
Item 4: Signature Block
Item 4 is the authorized signature, printed name, and title of the person executing the certificate. Use wet ink on paper filings; typed signatures are not accepted on mailed forms.
For a profit corporation, the signer must be the president, vice-president, chairperson, or vice-chairperson under MCL 450.1217. For an LLC, the signer is a manager (manager-managed LLC) or a member (member-managed LLC) under MCL 450.4206. For an LP, a general partner signs; for an LLP, an authorized partner signs.
James Carter signs as PRESIDENT, DETROIT PRECISION TOOLS, INC. and dates the line 05/14/2026. The edge case is an LLC whose operating agreement gives a non-member officer signing authority; LARA still requires a member or manager signature on this form regardless of the operating agreement. The most common mistake is a secretary or treasurer signing for a corporation — a non-permitted title under the BCA — which voids the filing. The misconception is that an attorney-in-fact can sign with a power of attorney; LARA does not accept POA signatures on assumed name certificates.
Return-Address Block
The bottom of the form has a “Name and address of person/organization to receive returned documents” block. Write the name, street address, city, state, and ZIP that LARA will use to mail the date-stamped certified copy.
Maria Lopez writes Lopez Family Bakery LLC, 412 Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The edge case is filers using a registered agent or attorney’s address; that is allowed, but the named recipient must be a real person or entity authorized to receive the document. The nuance for filers using a P.O. Box: LARA accepts P.O. Boxes in this block even though the registered office on the formation document cannot be a P.O. Box.
The common mistake is leaving this block blank, and the consequence is that LARA holds the certified copy in its undeliverable file rather than mailing it, which delays bank account opening. A misconception is that LARA emails the certified copy; it does not — the certified copy is mailed in paper form regardless of whether you provided an email address.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario follows one named filer through the entire form using realistic facts. The tables show the Form Section on the left and the Entry on the right.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Single-Member LLC Adding a Retail DBA
Maria runs Lopez Family Bakery LLC in Ann Arbor and wants to launch a wholesale wedding cake line under the brand Lopez Wedding Cakes. Her LLC is member-managed, in good standing, and has a current CID.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Entity Type Checkbox | Limited Liability Company checked |
| Item 1 — True Name | LOPEZ FAMILY BAKERY LLC |
| Item 2 — CID Number | 802345678 |
| Item 3 — Assumed Name | LOPEZ WEDDING CAKES |
| Item 4 — Signature | Wet-ink signature of Maria Lopez |
| Item 4 — Printed Name | MARIA LOPEZ |
| Item 4 — Title | MEMBER |
| Item 4 — Date | 05/21/2026 |
| Return Address Block | Lopez Family Bakery LLC, 412 Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Filing Fee Enclosed | $25 check payable to State of Michigan |
Scenario 2: James Carter — Michigan Profit Corporation Launching a Product Line
James is president of Detroit Precision Tools, Inc., a Michigan corporation that wants to sell a new line of consumer hand tools under Motor City Machining. The board passed a resolution authorizing James to file the assumed name.
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| Entity Type Checkbox | Profit Corporation checked |
| Item 1 — True Name | DETROIT PRECISION TOOLS, INC. |
| Item 2 — CID Number | 123456789 |
| Item 3 — Assumed Name | MOTOR CITY MACHINING |
| Item 4 — Signature | Wet-ink signature of James Carter |
| Item 4 — Printed Name | JAMES CARTER |
| Item 4 — Title | PRESIDENT |
| Item 4 — Date | 05/21/2026 |
| Return Address Block | Detroit Precision Tools, Inc., 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Filing Fee Enclosed | $75 total — $25 base + $50 expedited 24-hour fee |
Scenario 3: Sunbelt Logistics LLC — Foreign LLC Registering an Assumed Name
Sunbelt Logistics LLC is a Delaware LLC qualified to do business in Michigan since 2023. The company wants to operate a Detroit warehouse under the brand Great Lakes Freight. The Michigan CID was assigned at foreign qualification.
| Form Section | What Sunbelt Enters |
|---|---|
| Entity Type Checkbox | Limited Liability Company checked |
| Item 1 — True Name | SUNBELT LOGISTICS LLC |
| Item 2 — CID Number | 803987654 |
| Item 3 — Assumed Name | GREAT LAKES FREIGHT |
| Item 4 — Signature | Wet-ink signature of Aisha Bennett |
| Item 4 — Printed Name | AISHA BENNETT |
| Item 4 — Title | MANAGER |
| Item 4 — Date | 05/21/2026 |
| Return Address Block | Sunbelt Logistics LLC, c/o CT Corporation, 40600 Ann Arbor Rd E, Plymouth, MI 48170 |
| Filing Fee Enclosed | $125 total — $25 base + $100 same-day expedited fee |
How to File the Completed Form
LARA accepts CSCL/CD-731 by online portal, mail, in person, or fax through MICH-ELF. Each channel has a different fee structure, processing time, and proof-of-filing standard.
Online (COFS): Log in at the COFS portal using your CID and PIN. Pay the $25 fee with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Standard online processing is 2–3 business days, and the system emails a PDF certified copy as your proof of filing.
Mail: Send the signed form, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909. Make checks payable to State of Michigan. Standard mail processing is 10–15 business days, plus mail transit. Your proof of filing is the date-stamped paper certificate returned by mail.
In Person: Walk the form to 2407 N. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, MI 48906 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Counter intake requires an expedited fee. Pay by check, money order, credit card, or cash (cash only at the counter). The expedited tiers are $50 for 24-hour service, $100 for same-day service (received by 1:00 p.m.), $500 for 2-hour service, and $1,000 for 1-hour service, set under MCL 450.2060. Your proof is a date-stamped copy handed back at the counter.
MICH-ELF Fax: Holders of a MICH-ELF prepaid account fax the form to (517) 241-0538. The fee draws from your prepaid account, and processing matches mail timing. Your proof is the email confirmation LARA sends to the account holder.
What Happens After You File
After LARA accepts the form, the assumed name is valid from the date stamped on the form through December 31 of the fifth full calendar year after filing under MCL 450.1217(3). For example, an assumed name filed on May 21, 2026, expires on December 31, 2031.
LARA mails (or emails, for COFS filings) the date-stamped certified copy to the return-address block on the form. Use that certified copy to open business bank accounts, sign vendor contracts, register for sales tax under the assumed name, and apply for local business licenses. The certified copy is the document your bank’s compliance team will request under the federal Customer Identification Program rule.
If LARA rejects the filing, you receive a Form CSCL/CD-518 rejection letter listing each defect. You have 60 days to correct and resubmit without paying a new fee, provided the original payment cleared. After 60 days the file closes and you start over with a fresh $25.
To extend the assumed name beyond five years, file a Certificate of Renewal of Assumed Name (CSCL/CD-541) within 90 days before the expiration date. Filing late forfeits the assumed name, and another entity may register it during the lapse window.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below maps to a real rejection trigger LARA examiners cite. Avoiding them keeps your filing in the accepted column and your $25 from being wasted on a rework.
- Writing in the Date Received stamp box — the form is rejected because the bureau treats the box as reserved space.
- Omitting the entity designator in Item 1 — LARA cannot match the filing to your record and returns it.
- Putting LLC or Inc. inside the assumed name in Item 3 — the assumed name is rejected as misleading under MCL 450.4206.
- Using an EIN in Item 2 instead of the CID — the bureau cannot locate the entity and returns the form.
- Checking two entity-type boxes — the filing is voided because Michigan classifies each CID as one entity type.
- Typing or stamping the signature on a mailed form — wet-ink signatures are required on paper.
- Wrong signer title (e.g., a corporate secretary signing) — the signer lacks statutory authority and the filing is rejected.
- Filing while the entity is not in good standing — LARA holds the form until the annual statement is current.
- Sending the wrong fee amount — a $20 or $30 check causes the form to be returned uncashed.
- Listing an assumed name already in use — the bureau rejects duplicates and confusingly similar names.
- Leaving the return-address block blank — the certified copy is held in undeliverable mail and never reaches you.
- Submitting on colored or non-standard paper — OCR intake errors cause a manual review delay or rejection.
Do’s and Don’ts
These rules sit on top of the field-level instructions and reflect bureau preferences that smooth your filing through intake.
Do’s:
- Do run a LARA name search before paying the fee, because duplicates are the top cause of rejection.
- Do print the form on white 8.5 x 11 paper at 100% scale, since shrunk margins cause OCR misreads.
- Do use ALL CAPS block letters when filling in by hand, because LARA’s scanner reads block print most reliably.
- Do confirm the entity is in good standing on the day you sign, since lapses between signature and filing trigger rejection.
- Do keep a scanned copy of the signed form before mailing, so you can resubmit quickly if it is rejected.
- Do calendar the five-year renewal date the moment the certificate is approved, because missing it forfeits the name.
Don’ts:
- Don’t sign with a stamp or typed font on paper filings — LARA returns them unprocessed.
- Don’t add a corporate designator inside Item 3, because LARA treats it as misleading.
- Don’t use a power of attorney for the signature, since LARA does not accept POA signatures here.
- Don’t mail cash; checks, money orders, or credit cards (in person/online) only.
- Don’t rely on a third-party form mill PDF — download the current revision from LARA directly.
- Don’t submit duplicate copies thinking it speeds review; LARA processes one and recycles the rest.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most filers can complete CSCL/CD-731 alone, but professional help can save time on edge cases. Weigh the trade-offs below before deciding.
Pros of filing on your own:
- Cost savings — you pay only the $25 state fee, not attorney or service-company markups.
- Control of the timeline — you decide when to file and which expedited tier to pay.
- Direct understanding — completing the form yourself teaches you the underlying compliance rules.
- Faster online portal use — COFS lets pro se filers complete the form in roughly 10 minutes.
- No third-party data sharing — your information goes only to LARA, not to a service company database.
Cons of filing on your own:
- Field-level mistakes are common for first-time filers, especially around CID numbers and signer titles.
- Name search judgment — distinguishing a duplicate from a permissible variation requires bureau-level familiarity.
- No automatic renewal calendar — service companies track the five-year deadline; you must do it yourself.
- Limited recourse on rejection — you absorb the delay if you misread an instruction.
- Bank acceptance issues — some banks request additional documentation that a registered agent service can provide.
Distinguishing CSCL/CD-731 from CSCL/CD-541
The two forms are often confused because both relate to assumed names. Use this comparison to keep them straight.
| Feature | CSCL/CD-731 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Initial Certificate of Assumed Name |
| When filed | When first adopting a DBA |
| Fee | $25 |
| Term | 5 years |
| Renewal form | CSCL/CD-541 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file a new CSCL/CD-731 every five years?
No. You file the renewal form CSCL/CD-541 before the five-year expiration date. CSCL/CD-731 is only for the initial assumed name registration.
Can a sole proprietor file CSCL/CD-731?
No. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file an assumed name certificate at the county clerk where they do business, not with LARA.
Is the filing fee really $25?
Yes. The base statutory fee is $25 under MCL 450.1217, with optional expedited tiers of $50, $100, $500, or $1,000 added on top.
Do I write Inc. or LLC inside the assumed name in Item 3?
No. Corporate designators belong only in Item 1 (the true name). Including them in Item 3 makes the assumed name appear to be a separate entity and triggers rejection.
Can my registered agent sign Item 4 for me?
No. Only an officer (corporation), member or manager (LLC), or general partner (LP/LLP) may sign. A registered agent has no statutory authority to sign this form.
What goes in Item 2 if I’m a foreign LLC?
Yes, you use the Michigan CID assigned at foreign qualification, not your home-state file number or your federal EIN.
Can I file online without a PIN?
No. The COFS portal requires both your CID and a PIN. Request a PIN reset before filing if you have lost it.
Do I check more than one entity-type box if I’m a PLLC?
No. A professional LLC checks only the Limited Liability Company box. Checking two boxes voids the filing.
Can the assumed name include numbers or punctuation?
Yes, numerals, ampersands, hyphens, and periods are accepted. Emojis, slashes, and @ symbols are not, and diacritics like accents must be omitted.
Does filing this form give me trademark rights?
No. It only authorizes the entity to transact under the name in Michigan. Trademark rights require a separate application with the USPTO.
Can I leave the return address blank if I want LARA to email me?
No. LARA mails the certified copy in paper form. Leaving the return-address block blank means the certified copy never reaches you.
If LARA rejects my filing, do I lose my $25?
No. You have 60 days to correct and resubmit the rejected form without paying again, as long as the original payment cleared.
Do I need a separate CSCL/CD-731 for each assumed name I want to use?
Yes. Each DBA requires its own form and its own $25 fee. You cannot list multiple assumed names on a single CSCL/CD-731.
Can I expedite a mailed filing?
Yes. Write EXPEDITED on the envelope and include the additional expedited fee on top of the $25 base. The expedited service tiers are set under MCL 450.2060.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-2700 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-500 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-502 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-541 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-700 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-760 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 100 (w/Examples) + FAQs