Alerts

Delaware’s New Trade Name Requirements Now in Effect

Delaware’s updated trade name requirements went into effect on February 2, 2026. The new requirements transferred responsibility for registering trade names from the Superior Court prothonotaries to the Delaware Division of Revenue (DOR).

Centralized Registration Through the Division of Revenue

Responsibility for trade name registrations has shifted from the Superior Court prothonotaries to the DOR. All new trade name filings must now be submitted electronically through Delaware’s One Stop application and are maintained in a centralized DOR registry.

Under the new process:

  • A Delaware business license is required.
  • The business must be in good standing.
  • Filings are completed entirely online.
  • Notarized original signatures are no longer required.

Status of Existing Court-Registered Trade Names

Trade names previously registered with the courts remain valid and do not need to be re-registered. However, businesses may optionally re-register their trade name through the One Stop system. Re-registration may be necessary if the trade name needs to be amended or cancelled. Re-registration is available at no cost if the original court file number is provided, though a Delaware business license is still required.

Special License for Out-of State Businesses

Delaware entities not actively transacting business within the state must obtain a Special Trade Name-Only License before registering a trade name with the DOR.

  • License fee: $25
  • Subject to standard renewal and maintenance requirements applicable to Delaware business licenses

Trade Name Certificates

Trade Name Certificates are now issued exclusively by the DOR. Only trade names registered in the DOR registry are eligible for authentication. If a trade name exists only in the court records, re-registration is required in order to obtain a certificate.

Important Limitation

Registering a trade name in Delaware does not provide exclusivity. The registration serves as public notice of use but does not prevent others from registering or using the same trade name.

Additional information can be found in the Division of Revenue’s Trade Name FAQs.  If you would like assistance registering or re-registering a trade name in Delaware, please contact our Delaware team at delawarecorp@capitolservices.com or 800.316.6660.

 

Real Estate Offerings

We’ve heard from our clients, and we’re delivering! Capitol Services is excited to announce that on March 16th, 2026, five new Real Estate search options will be offered. Building on our current lien solutions, we will be offering Current Owner, Open Mortgage, Open Mortgage + Legal Vesting Deed, Chain of Title, and Lis Pendens searches.

Additional information about these searches can be found below.

Current Owner Search

Trace the ownership of a property and receive information on the current owner, along with other details impacting the title. This search includes a copy of the vesting instrument; open mortgage documents; liens and judgments; CC&Rs; rights-of-way; relevant probate cases; and tax status and assessment information.

Open Mortgage Search

Locate any open mortgages on a property and receive copies of the mortgages and their satellite documents.

Open Mortgage + Legal Vesting Deed Search

Provides the same results as a Current Owner Search, excluding tax and assessment information.

Chain of Title Search

Provides the same results as a Current Owner Search but extends back the number of years required, delivering a report of all owners during that period.

Lis Pendens Search

Reveals open lis pendens, or notices of pending legal actions, related to the current owner and limited to the specific target property.

These new search offerings are expected to expand over time as our clients’ needs evolve. Our dedicated team looks forward to providing you with an even more comprehensive scope of due diligence.

In addition to these new searches, Capitol Services also continues to offer real estate recording services in all county jurisdictions across the United States. We know this process can be daunting, so let us handle your county recordings from start to finish-corresponding with county clerks and providing the attentive, reliable service you trust to ensure that the recording process is hassle-free. Capitol Services also has access to eRecording platforms in counties that support electronic submission, significantly speeding up the process.

Reach out to your preferred service representative for more information!

Simplifying Corporate Entity Management: CEM Pro Is Coming Soon

At Capitol Services, client service is more than responsiveness—it is continuous improvement. Over the past several years, we have listened carefully to how our clients manage increasingly complex corporate portfolios, navigate compliance obligations across multiple jurisdictions, and balance strategic priorities with administrative demands. Those conversations have directly shaped the development of CEM Pro, the advanced version of our Corporate Entity Manager (CEM) platform, scheduled for release in Q3 2026.

CEM Pro will be designed to deliver deeper corporate structure visibility, greater workflow efficiency, and more convenient, user-friendly tools for governance and compliance professionals. Our goal is simple: to help streamline your internal processes while reducing administrative burden and compliance risk.

The Next Evolution of Entity Management

Today’s corporate structures are dynamic. Mergers, restructuring, ownership changes, and multi-state and international registrations all require careful oversight and accurate, accessible data. Many organizations still rely on spreadsheets, disconnected tools, or manual updates that can introduce risk and inefficiency.

CEM Pro will bring together proven capabilities and new functionality within a single, intuitive platform. By combining centralized entity data, real-time integration with our registered agent and compliance systems, and expanded portfolio visibility, CEM Pro will support a shift from reactive compliance management to proactive portfolio oversight.

What CEM Pro Will Deliver

Management of Your Complete Portfolio of Companies

CEM Pro will allow you to manage not only entities represented by Capitol Services as Registered Agent, but also entities outside of our representation. Domestic (U.S.), international, active, and inactive entities can be centralized in one secure system—creating a true single source of truth for your organization.

Real-Time Integration with ARMS

CEM Pro includes real-time integration with our Annual Report Management Services (ARMS) system. Updates made within CEM automatically sync with ARMS, and changes made through ARMS Verify reflect back into your entity records. This bidirectional integration reduces duplicate data entry, minimizes filing errors, and improves overall workflow efficiency.

Document Repository

Company documents can be organized and stored in one convenient location, allowing users to easily access formation documents, resolutions, bylaws, and other relevant materials.

Advanced Reporting & Custom Exports

CEM Pro provides structured reporting and custom export capabilities that allow users to generate reports in minutes using robust filtering options. These tools transform complex entity data into actionable insights without manual compilation.

Centralized Contact & Address Libraries

Users can update contact and address information once and apply those changes across relevant entities. CEM Pro will support more efficient portfolio-wide updates when key information changes.

Historical Management & Ownership Tracking

CEM Pro will maintain visibility into past and present authority to support audit readiness, due diligence, and governance transparency.

Compliance Events Tool

CEM Pro will allow users to track important deadlines and set email reminders for business licenses, assumed names, tax filings, and other compliance events—helping teams stay ahead of obligations.

Defined User Permissions

CEM Pro will support internal governance controls by allowing administrators to limit access to service of process and garnishments by user.

Professional Company Snapshot Reports

CEM Pro includes Company Snapshot Reports that generate polished PDF summaries consolidating entity details, registrations, management and ownership information, and Registered Agent contact information into a single document.

Designed with You in Mind

CEM Pro is not being built in isolation. As development progresses, we will actively invite our Registered Agent clients and industry professionals to participate in shaping the final product.

By joining the CEM Pro Waitlist, you will:

– Receive development updates and feature announcements
– Be invited to participate in our exclusive focus group
– Gain early access to platform demos
– Provide valuable client feedback through a post-demo survey

Your insights matter. We are committed to delivering tools that genuinely improve operational efficiency and enhance your experience working with Capitol Services.

Join the CEM Pro Waitlist

Looking for a more streamlined, centralized approach to entity management? We invite you to join the CEM Pro Waitlist today. Sign up to stay informed and be among the first to experience new tools designed to help optimize your daily workflow.

Offering ACH Payments: A Simple, Secure Choice

At Capitol Services, we are always looking for ways to make doing business with us easier, more flexible, and more cost-effective. We have ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments available—a convenient alternative to traditional credit card payments. 

Why Choose ACH Payments?

ACH payments allow funds to be transferred directly from your bank account, offering advantages such as: 

No Credit Card Limits
Because ACH payments are linked directly to your bank account, you do not have to worry about credit limits, expired cards, or declined payments. 

Simplicity and Efficiency
ACH payments are processed through established U.S. banking networks and are widely used for payroll, mortgage payments, and business-to-business transactions. 

Cost Savings 

By using ACH instead of credit cards, processing costs are lower, helping us minimize price increases and pass those savings along to our clients. 

While credit cards remain available, we encourage clients to use ACH whenever possible due to its lower cost and efficiency. ACH simply gives you another payment option—one designed for convenience, efficiency, and flexibility. If you have questions about setting up ACH payments or want help deciding which option works best for your organization, our team is always happy to help.  

Email us at: accountsreceivable@capitolservices.com for assistance.  

New York LLC Transparency Act Update

As compliance professionals prepare for upcoming regulatory changes, the New York LLC Transparency Act (the “Act” or “NYLTA”) has been an area of particular focus. With an effective date of January 1, 2026, the Act introduces new ownership disclosure requirements for certain limited liability companies authorized to do business in New York. However, guidance from the New York Department of State has clarified that the scope of the law is significantly narrower than many originally anticipated.

Under the New York Department of State’s current interpretation, only entities formed under the laws of a foreign country — not other U.S. states — and authorized to do business in New York as an LLC will be subject to the Act’s reporting requirements. LLCs formed in New York or formed in other U.S. states/territories (and registered in New York) are exempt from reporting at this time.

While early discussions suggested a sweeping new filing obligation, the current guidance confirms that most U.S.-based LLCs will not be required to take action under the Act as it is presently structured.

FinCEN Interim Final Rule Narrowed the Scope of the New York LLC Transparency Act

The limited application of the NYLTA is tied to how the Act incorporates definitions from the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). In March 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued an interim final rule that narrowed the federal definition of a “reporting company.” Because New York’s law relies on those same definitions, the state’s reporting obligations were effectively narrowed as well.

New York Senate Bill 8432 redefined key terms (including “reporting company”) and attempted to decouple the NYLTA from the federal CTA. The bill was passed by both houses, but Governor Hochul vetoed it on December 19, 2025. As a result, it remains that only entities formed under the laws of a foreign country and authorized to transact business in New York as an LLC fall within the current scope of the Act.

Understanding the Filing Obligations for Covered LLCs

Beginning January 1, 2026, non-exempt foreign entities authorized to do business in New York as an LLC will be required to submit ownership-related filings to the Department of State. These include:

  • An initial disclosure statement identifying individuals who own or control the LLC, and
  • Annual disclosure statements filed thereafter.

The reporting requirements are set forth in New York Limited Liability Company Law Sections 1106 through 1108 and are intended to increase transparency around entity ownership and control.

Foreign-Country LLC Exemptions and Attestations

Some foreign LLCs may qualify as “exempt companies” under 31 U.S.C. § 5336(a)(11)(B) of the federal Corporate Transparency Act, such as certain large operating companies. However, even exempt entities are not entirely relieved of the NYLTA’s filing obligations. Instead of submitting a full disclosure report, exempt foreign LLCs must file an Attestation of Exemption with the New York Department of State confirming their exempt status.

This distinction is especially important for paralegals and compliance teams tracking entity obligations across multiple jurisdictions, as a filing requirement still exists even when ownership disclosure is not required.

Deadlines to Monitor

Although New York has not yet launched its submission portal, the Initial Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Report and Initial Attestation of Exemption from Beneficial Owner Disclosure forms have been released. Foreign entities authorized to do business in New York as an LLC before January 1, 2026, must complete their initial filing by January 1, 2027. Entities qualified on or after January 1, 2026, will be required to file within 30 days of authorization. Annual filings will follow thereafter.

Plan Ahead for Future Amendments

While legislative efforts to expand the Act to cover domestic LLCs have not passed to date, future amendments remain possible. For firms and companies managing large entity portfolios, ongoing monitoring will be essential.

For now, the key takeaway is clear: most U.S.-formed LLCs have no reporting obligation under the New York LLC Transparency Act, but non-U.S. entities registered as LLCs in New York should begin preparing for compliance well in advance of the 2026 effective date.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at info@capitolservices.com.

New for 2026: Annual Report Management in Canada & Puerto Rico

For years, you have trusted us with your annual report filings across the nation. Today, we are excited to announce the expansion of our Annual Report Management Services (ARMS). Beginning in January 2026, registrations in Canada and Puerto Rico will be eligible for ARMS enrollment! 

Canadian coverage includes annual filings in all provinces, encompassing both provincial and extra-provincial registrations, as well as filings with Corporations Canada. In Puerto Rico, we support annual filing requirements for domestic and foreign corporations (profit, nonprofit, and professional), LLCs, and PLLCs.

Managing annual compliance is essential to maintaining good standing and avoiding costly penalties. This expansion will enable you to centralize filings across even more jurisdictions, simplifying your compliance process. Let us take one more item off your 2026 to-do list.

Enrollment is easy. Email us at filingmanager@capitolservices.com and let us know you’d like to enroll!