Document recording › FBN / DBA Filing

Fictitious Business Name (FBN / DBA) Filing in LA, Orange & Ventura County.

Operating under a business name that isn't your own? California law requires you to file a Fictitious Business Name statement with the county clerk. We handle the filing — and can connect you with publication services to meet the 30-day publication requirement.

Call or Text (213) 933‑2507 Book Online

Publication required: after filing, California law requires you to publish the FBN statement in an approved newspaper once per week for four consecutive weeks within 30 days of filing. We can refer you to a publication service.

  • LA ($26), OC ($26), Ventura ($59) first-name county fee
  • Trip fee: LA $150 / OC $200 / Ventura $175
  • Renewals and withdrawals also handled
Publication referral After filing, we connect you with an approved newspaper publication service to meet California's publication requirement within 30 days.
Renewals & withdrawals We handle new filings, 5-year renewals, and business name withdrawals in all three counties.
170+ Five-Star Reviews Trusted by families, attorneys, and escrow officers across Southern California.

Filing types

FBN Filing Situations We Handle.

New FBN Filing

First-time registration of a fictitious business name with the county clerk. Required before you can open a business bank account, advertise, or operate legally under the DBA name.

  • Sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations all may need an FBN
  • Publication in approved newspaper required within 30 days
  • Proof of publication affidavit filed within 30 days of final publication

FBN Renewal

California FBN statements expire after 5 years. Renewal must be filed before expiration to maintain continuity. Publication may be required again depending on whether any information changed.

  • Same county fees apply as new filing
  • If information is unchanged, publication may not be required in all counties
  • Lapse in registration can cause complications with your bank account

FBN Withdrawal

Closing the business or no longer using the fictitious name? A withdrawal filing removes the registered name from the county's records.

  • Required to formally abandon a registered DBA name
  • County clerk fees apply
  • Recommended before dissolving an entity that used a DBA

Estimate your cost

Estimate Your FBN Filing Cost.

Select FBN/DBA as the document type and your county to see the clerk fee plus our trip fee.

Estimate Your Recording Costs

Common questions

FBN / DBA Filing FAQ.

What is an FBN or DBA filing?

FBN stands for Fictitious Business Name. DBA stands for 'doing business as.' In California, if you operate a business under any name other than your own legal name, you are required to file a Fictitious Business Name statement with the county clerk of the county where your principal place of business is located.

Do I need to notarize an FBN statement?

Not always, but some counties require it. The FBN statement itself is typically a signed declaration — notarization requirements vary by county. We will confirm requirements before filing.

What is the publication requirement?

California law requires you to publish the FBN statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks within 30 days of filing. We can connect you with an approved publication service that handles this for you.

How long is an FBN valid?

An FBN statement is valid for 5 years from the date of filing. You must renew it before it expires. We also handle FBN renewals.

What does the county charge to file an FBN?

LA County charges $26 for the first business name. Orange County charges $26. Ventura County charges $59 for the first name plus $10 for each additional name. Use our calculator to estimate total costs including our trip fee.

Can I operate a business without filing an FBN?

Operating without a required FBN filing in California can result in your business being unable to file a lawsuit under that name or open a business bank account. Most banks require a filed FBN statement to open an account.

What counties do you serve for FBN filings?

We file FBN statements with the LA County Registrar/County Clerk, the Orange County Clerk-Recorder, and the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder. These are the Clerk functions of those offices, not the Recorder side.

Can you handle FBN renewals and withdrawals?

Yes. If your FBN is expiring, we handle the renewal filing. If you are closing the business or changing the name, we handle the withdrawal. Same trip fee applies.

Ready to Register Your Business Name?

Text us your county, business name, and business type. We confirm same-day and give you an exact total before we file.

Call or Text (213) 933‑2507 Book Online Back to Document Recording