California DBA (Doing Business As) Guide (2026)
In California a DBA is called a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement and is filed with the County Clerk under B&P Code Sec. 17900-17930. The fee varies by county and typically runs $26-$60. You must file within 40 days of starting business, then publish the statement in a local newspaper. The statement is valid 5 years.
The one thing to knowAfter filing you MUST publish the statement in an adjudicated newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks, starting within 45 days of filing, then file the affidavit of publication with the County Clerk.
The process
- File in the right county
File your FBN statement with the County Clerk in the county of your principal place of business, within 40 days of starting business.
- Pay the filing fee
The fee varies by county, typically $26-$60.
- Publish the statement
Publish in an adjudicated newspaper in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks, starting within 45 days of filing.
- File the affidavit of publication
After publication, file the affidavit of publication with the County Clerk.
- Renew every 5 years
The statement is valid 5 years.
DBA filing by county — all 58 California counties
| County | Fee |
|---|---|
| Alameda County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Alpine County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Amador County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Butte County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Calaveras County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Colusa County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Contra Costa County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Del Norte County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| El Dorado County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Fresno County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Glenn County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Humboldt County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Imperial County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Inyo County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Kern County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Kings County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Lake County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Lassen County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Los Angeles County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Madera County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Marin County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Mariposa County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Mendocino County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Merced County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Modoc County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Mono County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Monterey County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Napa County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Nevada County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Orange County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Placer County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Plumas County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Riverside County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Sacramento County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Benito County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Bernardino County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Diego County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Francisco County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Joaquin County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Luis Obispo County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| San Mateo County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Santa Barbara County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Santa Clara County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Santa Cruz County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Shasta County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Sierra County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Siskiyou County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Solano County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Sonoma County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Stanislaus County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Sutter County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Tehama County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Trinity County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Tulare County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Tuolumne County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Ventura County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Yolo County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
| Yuba County | $26–$60 (call to confirm) |
California-specific details
Publication is required after filing -- once a week for four consecutive weeks in an adjudicated newspaper in the county, starting within 45 days of filing. Then file the affidavit of publication with the County Clerk.
Forming an LLC or corporation, or filing entity paperwork, is handled by the California Secretary of State's bizfile portal, not the county.
What to bring
- Your fictitious business name(s)
- Your principal place of business address
- Owner name(s) and information
- The filing fee ($26-$60, varies by county)
- A plan for newspaper publication within 45 days of filing
Frequently asked questions
What is a DBA called in California?
A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement, filed with the County Clerk under B&P Code Sec. 17900-17930.
Where and when do I file?
With the County Clerk in the county of your principal place of business, within 40 days of starting business.
Do I have to publish?
Yes. Publish the statement in an adjudicated newspaper in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks, starting within 45 days of filing, then file the affidavit of publication with the County Clerk.
How much does it cost?
The fee varies by county, typically $26-$60.
How long is the statement valid?
Five years.
I am forming an LLC -- do I file this?
No. Entity paperwork is handled by the California Secretary of State's bizfile portal, not the county.