
To file a fictitious business name in California, you'll need to submit a Statement of Information and pay a filing fee. The filing fee varies by county, but it's typically around $26.
The Statement of Information must be filed with the county clerk's office in the county where your business is located. This is usually the same county where you'll be doing business, but it's essential to check the specific requirements for your area.
You'll need to provide your business name, address, and the names and addresses of all owners or officers. This information will be publicly available, so make sure to double-check it for accuracy.
Once you've completed the Statement of Information, you'll need to sign and date it, then submit it to the county clerk's office along with the filing fee.
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Filing Requirements
To file a fictitious business name statement, you'll need to meet several requirements. The owner must sign the statement, and the street address of the principal place of business and county must be listed.
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The statement must also include the business addresses of all owners, and if the registrant is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership, a print-out from the California Secretary of State indicating the current existence and good standing of the business entity is required.
You'll also need to publish a filed copy of the statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where you filed the statement. This must be done once per week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication starting within 30 days after the statement has been filed.
Here are the key filing requirements in a concise table:
Do I Need to File?
If you're starting a business under anything other than your real name, you'll need to file a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement. This includes sole proprietors or partnerships who want to do business under a different name.
You'll also need to file if you're an existing corporation or LLC and you want to do business under a name other than your existing corporation or LLC name. This is a requirement under BPC § 17910, which states that every person who regularly transacts business in this state for profit under a fictitious business name must file a statement.
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You must file a new statement after any change in the facts, such as a change in your business name or address. You'll also need to file a new statement when refiling a fictitious business name statement.
Here are the scenarios where you must file a Fictitious Business Name statement:
- Sole Proprietors or Partnerships – If you wish to start a business under anything other than your real name, you’ll need to file a Fictitious Business Name statement.
- Existing Corporations or LLCs – If your business is already set up and you want to do business under a name other than your existing corporation or LLC name, you will need to file a Fictitious Business Name statement.
Filing Requirements
To file a Fictitious Business Name Statement, you'll need to meet certain requirements. The statement must be signed by the owner, and include the street address of the principal place of business and county.
You'll also need to list all owners and their business addresses. If the registrant is a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership, a print-out from the California Secretary of State is required to prove existence and good standing.
A filed copy of the statement must be published once per week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the business is located. This publication must begin within 30 days after the statement has been filed.
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Here are the specific requirements in a concise list:
- Owner must sign the statement.
- Street address of principal place of business and county must be listed.
- All owners and their business addresses must be listed.
- Print-out from California Secretary of State required for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.
- Published copy of the statement must appear in a newspaper once per week for four consecutive weeks.
- Publication must begin within 30 days after the statement has been filed.
Filing Process
To file a fictitious business name in California, you can either do it in person or by mail. You'll need to download and fill out the FBN Statement, then print and sign it.
You can mail the application to PO Drawer F, Independence CA 93526, or bring it to the office at 168 N Edwards Street, Independence, CA 93526. No appointment is necessary, but it's recommended to speed up the process.
You can pay for the filing fee in person with cash, check, or credit card. If you're mailing the application, you can pay with a check or credit card online after your application has been reviewed.
To complete the filing, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
- Owner must sign.
- Street address of principal place of business and county must be listed.
- All owners and their business addresses must be listed.
- If the registrant is a corporation, LLC, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership, a print-out from the California Secretary of State is required.
- Filed copy of statement must be published once per week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Inyo County.
- Publication must begin within 30 days after a fictitious business name statement has been filed.
If you're filing in person, you'll need to show valid, government-issued identification. Be sure the information in the statement is correct and complete before filing it, as changes can't be made once it's filed.
Filing Fees and Expiration
You can pay your fictitious business name filing fees with cash, check, or credit card. If you're paying in person, you can use cash or a check, while credit card payments are accepted in person or online after your application has been reviewed.
The proof of publication will be sent to the County Clerk's office by the newspaper you choose to publish with.
To make a payment, you can refer to the Fee Schedule, which is available by clicking on this link.
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Filing Fees
Filing fees are a crucial aspect of registering a fictitious business name. The fee to file a Fictitious Business Name statement is $26.00 for one fictitious business name and one registrant.
For each additional registrant or business name, there's an extra fee of $4.00. This is important to note, especially if you're a married couple or have multiple business names.
A married couple is considered one registrant, so you won't need to pay the extra fee for each spouse. However, if you have additional business names, you'll need to pay the extra fee for each one.
Here's a breakdown of the filing fees:
It's essential to make sure the information in your statement is correct and complete before filing it, as changes cannot be made once it's filed.
Expiration Date
The expiration date of your Fictitious Business Name statement is a crucial deadline to keep in mind. It expires five years from the date you filed it with the county clerk's office.
If your business address or one of the owners changes, your statement will expire in 40 days from the date of the change. This means you'll need to act quickly to file a new statement.
You must file a new Fictitious Business Name statement before it expires to continue doing business under that business name.
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Forms and Statements
You can obtain Fictitious Business Name forms from the Lake County Clerk's Office or online. The office is located at 255 N Forbes St, Lakeport, CA 95453.
To get a form, you can either visit the office in person or call 707-263-2311 to request that they mail you the Fictitious Business Name Statement Form (PDF). The online portal for Fictitious Business Name Statements is also available for use.
The Clerk-Recorder's Office offers various forms, including the Application for Fictitious Business Name Statement, Application for Statement of Abandonment of Use of Fictitious Business Name, and Fictitious Business Name Statement Information.
You can access these forms online or by visiting the office in person. The office also provides additional forms, such as the Fictitious Business Name Withdrawal from Partnership and Restrictive Covenant Modification Form.
To complete your application, you can use the online portal: Fictitious Business Name Statement Application. This portal allows you to search for existing Lake County Fictitious Business Name Statements and complete your application before visiting the office.
Here are some ways to obtain Fictitious Business Name forms:
- Visit the Lake County Clerk's Office at 255 N Forbes St, Lakeport, CA 95453
- Call 707-263-2311 to request a form by mail
- Use the online portal: Fictitious Business Name Statement Application
Trade Name Information
To establish a rebuttable presumption that you have the exclusive right to use a fictitious business name as a trade name, you'll need to file the FBN statement in the county where your principal place of business is located.
You can file additional FBN statements in other counties if you choose, but this will not grant you exclusive use of the name in those counties.
The registrant who files the FBN statement first will have priority, and it's essential to note that the County Clerk's Office cannot refuse to file a fictitious business name statement because the name is already being used by someone else.
Here are the counties where you should file your FBN statement, based on your principal place of business:
Who Must File
If you're operating a business under a name that doesn't include your surname, you'll need to file a trade name statement.
You'll need to file this statement in the county where your business is based, and you can also file it in other counties if you meet the requirements for the county of principal place of business.
Here are the types of businesses that must file a trade name statement:
- Persons doing business for profit under a fictitious name (does not include surname in the company name).
You'll need to file this statement in the county where your business is based, and you can also file it in other counties if you meet the requirements for the county of principal place of business.
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Trade Name Exclusivity
When you register a trade name, you establish a rebuttable presumption that you have the exclusive right to use it in the county where you file the statement.
The county where you file the statement is crucial, as it determines the scope of your exclusive right. You should file the statement in the county where your principal place of business is located.
If you have no place of business in the state, you should file with the Clerk of Sacramento County. This is a straightforward process, but it's essential to get it right to avoid any potential issues.
You can file additional statements in other counties if you choose, but you'll need to file the initial statement in the county where your business is based.
Names
To establish a trade name, you must first file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Clerk-Recorder. This is a public record that provides consumer protection and is a requirement under law.
The registrant who files an FBN statement first establishes a rebuttable presumption that they have the exclusive right to use the FBN, or any confusingly similar trade name, as a trade name in the county where the statement is filed.
You can file the FBN statement online using Adobe Sign, which will confirm receipt and review your form. After that, they will contact you with any follow-up questions or corrections, or provide a website link to pay online with a credit card upon approval of your statement.
The registrant must file the FBN statement in the county where the principal place of business is located. If the registrant has no place of business in this state, they should file with the Clerk of Sacramento County.
You must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement if you do business for profit under a fictitious name. This means you can't use your surname in the company name.
Here's a summary of the filing requirements:
- Principal place of business: file in the county where the business is located
- No place of business in this state: file with the Clerk of Sacramento County
You must show valid government-issued identification when filing a fictitious business name in the office. Make sure the information in the statement is correct and complete before filing it, as changes cannot be made once it's been filed.
General Information
A fictitious business name is simply a name that's different from your personal name or the officially registered name of your LLC or corporation.
If your business is located in California, you'll need to file the fictitious business name form with the state.
A fictitious business name is required for businesses that operate under a name other than their personal name or officially registered business name.
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What Is?
Running a business can be overwhelming, but understanding the basics is key. A fictitious business name is simply a name that's different from your personal name or the officially registered name of your LLC or corporation. You'll need to register this name with the state and local authorities.
In some cases, you may need to contact local officials for more information. If your business is located within the city limits of Bishop, you should reach out to the City of Bishop for guidance.
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Related Statutes

In California, there are specific statutes that govern the use of fictitious business names, which are also known as DBAs or assumed business names.
The Business and Professions Code (BPC) provides the framework for these regulations, specifically in Division 7, General Business Regulations, Chapter 5, Fictitious Business Names.
Fictitious business names must be filed with the county clerk's office, and the process involves submitting an application and paying a fee.
The application must include the name and address of the person filing, as well as the name and address of the business.
The county clerk will review the application and ensure that the fictitious business name is not already in use by another business in the county.
Once the application is approved, the business owner will receive a certificate of filing, which must be displayed in a conspicuous location at the business.
The filing fee for a fictitious business name varies by county, but it's usually a one-time fee that ranges from $10 to $35.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register DBA online?
Yes, you can register a DBA name online by submitting a form through the official website. Online registration is a convenient option for DBA name registration.
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