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Los Angeles County DBA search

In Los Angeles County a DBA is a fictitious business name (FBN) statement filed with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The county lists a $26 fee for one name and one registrant, a notarized ID form and four weeks of newspaper notice.

California facts from official pages

Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: $26 for one name and one registrant, $5 for each additional name or registrantlavote.gov, checked (archived copy)
Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: publish once a week for four consecutive weeks in an adjudicated county newspaperlavote.gov, checked (archived copy)
Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: publication must begin within 30 days of filinglavote.gov, checked (archived copy)
Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: an FBN expires 5 years from the date of filinglavote.gov, checked (archived copy)
Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: a notarized Affidavit of Identity must accompany every statementlavote.gov, checked (archived copy)
Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: mail-in filings may take 6 to 8 weekslavote.gov, checked (archived copy)
Forming the LLC
Los Angeles County: an LLC registrant needs Secretary of State evidence of existence and good standinglavote.gov, checked (archived copy)

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California has no state register for DBAs. A fictitious business name is filed with a county, and in Los Angeles County that office is the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. This page covers the county process. For the state overview see the California guide and the California DBA page.

Where it is filed

The California Secretary of State says on its business entities FAQ that a fictitious business name is filed with the county clerk or recorder of the county of the principal place of business. Los Angeles County runs this through its fictitious business names FAQ. Our Orange County page covers the county next door.

What the county requires

From the county FAQ:

  • Fee. $26 for one business name and one registrant, and $5 for each additional name or registrant. An original and a refile cost the same.
  • Forms. Forms are completed on the county's online system or at a kiosk at its headquarters or district office.
  • Identity. A notarized Affidavit of Identity must accompany every statement, original, refile or new.
  • Mail. Mail filings may take 6 to 8 weeks. Checks go to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
  • Signing. An LLC statement is signed by a manager or officer. A corporation statement is signed by a corporate officer.

LLCs and corporations

If the registrant is a corporation, an LLC, a limited partnership or a limited liability partnership, the county requires a Secretary of State print-out showing the entity exists and is in good standing. No other state evidence is accepted. The statement lists the principal place of business and the address on file with the state. Check your entity first with the California guide or an LLC name search.

Publication

Filing is not the last step. The county says the filed copy must be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in an adjudicated newspaper in Los Angeles County, and that publication must begin within 30 days of filing. The county keeps a list of adjudicated newspapers. Keep the proof of publication, which can be filed with the county.

The county FAQ points to a Fictitious Business Name Search on its County Clerk pages. Search the exact name, then likely variants. A search shows what is filed, not whether you may use the name. Our DBA search guide explains the wider picture.

Changes, abandonment and expiry

The county defines an amendment as a change in facts in the registered owner area, an abandonment as no longer doing business under the name filed in the previous five years, and a withdrawal as removing a registered owner, which requires publication. A statement expires 5 years from filing.

What a DBA does not do

It does not create a company or protect your personal assets. See DBA vs LLC and how to file a DBA. If you form an LLC, California LLC lists the state rules.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Want a separate company for your business? Start your LLC.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Where do I file a DBA in Los Angeles County?

With the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The county says forms must be completed through its online site or a kiosk at its offices, then filed or mailed.

How much does the filing cost?

The county FAQ says $26 for one business name and one registrant, plus $5 for each additional name or registrant. A refile costs the same as an original.

Do I have to publish the statement?

Yes. The filed copy must be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in an adjudicated newspaper in Los Angeles County. The county says publication must begin within 30 days of filing.

How long does a Los Angeles County FBN last?

The county says it expires 5 years from the filing date. Put a reminder in your calendar so the name does not lapse.

Is there a statewide California DBA registry?

No. California fictitious business names are filed with the county. The Secretary of State FAQ says to file with the county clerk or recorder of the county of your principal place of business.

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