Last updated
In California a DBA is called a fictitious business name, and the state office that forms LLCs does not take it. The filing happens locally. Start at the county.
Where do you file a California DBA?
With the county where your principal place of business is. The Secretary of State's business entities FAQ says fictitious business names are filed with that county and asks you to check with the county for its requirements. In practice that means the county clerk or recorder, and each county sets its own fee and process. We did not read a county page, so we quote no county fee.
A search for a DBA works the same way. The state office points you to the county, and we found no statewide DBA index, so you search the county records. Our DBA search guide covers the options.
Who has to file, and by when?
Business and Professions Code 17910 says every person who regularly does business in California for profit under a fictitious business name has to file a statement. The deadline is not later than 40 days from when the registrant starts to do business.
The same section says you file a new statement after any change in the facts and again when refiling. Read the section text before you rely on this summary.
What is the publication rule?
Section 17917 covers publication. Within 45 days after you file, the registrant has a statement published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the statement was filed. If that county has no such newspaper, an adjoining county's paper is used. A registrant with no place of business in California publishes in a newspaper of general circulation in Sacramento County.
The same section says the paper you pick should be one that circulates where the business operates. A refiling after expiry does not need publishing again unless the information changed. Read the full section 17917 text. The newspaper charges its own price, and we found no fixed amount in the sources we read.
What is the order of steps?
- Check that the name is not already used in your county, and check LLC name search if you also form an LLC.
- Count 40 days from the day you start trading under the name.
- File the statement with the county of your principal place of business.
- Count 45 days from the filing date.
- Publish the statement in a qualifying newspaper and keep proof of publication.
- File a new statement if the facts change, and again when the old one runs out.
Missing the dates is the main risk, so write both on your calendar the day you file. The state pages we read do not say how long a statement lasts, so ask the county for the expiry date. Arizona handles this differently, with a state trade name filing. Compare it in the Arizona DBA guide if you operate in both states.
Does a DBA replace an LLC?
No. A DBA lets a person or company trade under another name. An LLC is a company formed by Articles of Organization on Form LLC-1 with the Secretary of State. If you form an LLC, a DBA is only needed when you use a name that differs from the LLC's exact name. See the California LLC guide and DBA vs LLC.
What this page does not cover
County fees, county forms and renewal dates are not covered because we did not read county pages. Check licensing too, which is separate, in our California business license guide. The general steps are in how to file a DBA.