How to File a DBA in California

A DBA doesn't offer any protection for your personal assets in the event that your business is sued. For this reason we strongly recommend that a DBA should only be used by a formal business structure such as an LLC or corporation for the purpose of changing or adding a new brand to their business.

If you are an informal business structure (sole proprietorship or partnership) we strongly recommend you form an LLC. An LLC is usually the most suitable choice for most small businesses. The name of the LLC can also act as your brand name, hence, you will not need a DBA. 

The first step to getting a Calfornia Fictitious Business Name is choosing your name and making sure it’s available. Your name can be similar to other business names, but it’s still a good practice to create a unique name.

TIP: Our business name generator tool is a great resource for entrepreneurs who are still working to create the perfect business name or website address. You can also use our free logo generator tool to make a logo yourself! No design experience necessary!

Before you file your DBA, you will be required to search your county’s records to make sure your exact name isn’t already taken. You will also need to consider any naming rules.

In California, your fictitious business name should not include any business entity suffix, such as LLC, Incorporated, Corp, etc., unless the business is actually an LLC, corporation, etc.

Next, a quick search on the U.S. Trademark Electronic Search System will tell you whether someone else has already trademarked your name.

Now would be the perfect time to make sure there’s a web domain available for your DBA as well.

After registering a domain name for your DBA, consider using a business phone service to improve customer satisfaction and further establish credibility. Our top pick is Nextiva because of its affordable pricing and useful features. Start calling with Nextiva.

In California, you register your fictitious business name with the county where your principal place of business is located.

If your principal place of business is outside of the state of California, you are required to file with the Sacramento County Clerk. Non-profits are not required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement.

A DBA does not offer any protection for your personal assets in the event that your business is sued. For more information on setting up a limited liability company, visit our How to Form an LLC page and select your state

Filing a DBA with Your County Clerk

DBA regulations are managed by the state of California which means the steps for getting a DBA are very similar from county to county.

We will give you step-by-step directions to get a Los Angeles County DBA. If you need to file in a different county, you’ll need to contact the correct county clerk for instructions.

These links will lead you to the fictitious business name websites for some of the more populated counties:

• Sacramento County Clerk
• Orange County Clerk
• San Diego County Clerk
• LA County, Full Instructions Below

You can find the complete list of county contact information on the California Department of Public Health's website.

How to File a Los Angeles County DBA

At this point, you should’ve already chosen a name for your business and completed the name searches in Step 1 above. LA County requires that you also check their fictitious business name records before you start the filing process.

Most business owners use the LA County County Clerk’s online fictitious name portal to gain access to various California DBA PDF forms. You can also request a copy of the forms be mailed to you by calling (800) 201-8999 or you can get one in person by visiting the County Clerk’s office.

When applying in person, applicants do not need to have their statements notarized. If you apply by mail or by third-party, you must also send in a Notarized Affidavit of Identity Form. This form is provided by the county.

Forms

You have three options to file your Ficticious Business Name. Once you go to LA County Business Filing and Registration System, you'll select File a Ficticious Business Name and then select your preferred filing option.

• File In-Person
• File By Mail
• File Via Third Party

You must include an affidavit to identity form unless you apply in person. Instructions for delivery of the forms are included within the forms listed above.

Fees

• $26 first-time filing fee for one business/one registrant
• $5 for each additional business name/registrant
  
  

Within 30 days of filing your fictitious business name, you must publish a statement in a newspaper in the county where your principal place of business is. You must publish one a week for four weeks. Publication steps are listed in the next section.

Manage Your LA County DBA

DBA Questions

Call (800) 201-8999 for general questions about LA County fictitious business names.

Renew Your DBA

You are required to renew your Los Angeles County DBA every 5 years. Renewal forms can be found on the lavote.net website. The fee for renewing your FBN is $26. Depending on how you deliver this form to LA County, you may need a notarization form.

Change Your DBA

To make changes to your Los Angeles County DBA, visit the fictitious business name amendment page on the LAvote.net website. Depending on how you deliver this form to LA County, you may need a notarization form.

Withdraw Your DBA

Call the county clerk at (800) 201-8999 to request a statement of abandonment. If the case that your county doesn’t provide this form, you can create your own by following the rules detailed here.

Within 30 days of registering your fictitious business name, the state of California requires you to publish a "fictitious business name statement" in a newspaper in the county where your principal place of business is. You must publish once a week for four weeks.

Publication is easy and when you call the newspaper to run your ad, they will be familiar with the process and they will have the template for the fictitious business name statement.

Publication requirements are explained in detail on California's legislative website. The basic steps are:

• The newspaper must be a general circulation publication that circulates in the county where you register your fictitious business name. You can find a list for LA County on the LA County website.
• You must publish once a week for four weeks.
• If refiling your fictitious business name is required (the original expired), you must publish again.
• You must file an affidavit proving publication within 30 days of the completion of publication. In LA county, this can be completed by following the steps detailed here.

You should direct any questions about publication to the county clerk’s office that you registered your fictitious business name with. You can find the complete list of county contact information on the California Department of Public Health's website.

• California Legislative Information - Fictitious Business Name
• County of Los Angeles Fictitious Name
• County of Los Angeles Fictitious Name General Info
• Sacramento County Fictitious Name
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