Fictitious Business Names
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A Fictitious Business Name shall be filed within 40 days of first transacting business. Once registered, it is effective for 5 years. The fictitious business name will need to be re-registered prior to the date of expiration or if the business location changes. Once a Fictitious Business Name statement is filed, it must be published in an adjudicated newspaper one day per week for four consecutive weeks. Publication must start within 45 days of filing the statement with the County Clerk's office.
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- Use the above link to search the registry and apply.
- Keep your order number (SST#) for future reference.
Duplicate submissions will delay the overall processing time and are not eligible for a refund.
Please note that you should receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted. If you do not receive one, please call 951-486-7000.
You will also get an email once your order is complete or to resolve any issues with the application. It is important that you continuously check your Junk/Spam folders for any correspondence from the processing clerk.
After we complete your order, we will email you a copy of your filing and publishing instructions, if required. Keep in mind when opening the attachment of your Fictitious Statement filing, it can only be opened on a computer and not on any cell phone device. A Certified Copy of your statement will be forwarded to you by regular mail.
Notice: Applications that are not completed, or no response to correspondence within 5 business days will be voided and you will need to submit a new application.
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- Use the above link to search the registry and apply.
- Keep your confirmation number (SST#)
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- Arrive early for your appointment.
- Please wear a mask and abide by social distancing guidelines.
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- Use the above link to search the registry and apply.
- Keep your confirmation number (SST#)
- Download, print, and sign your completed form.
- Prepare a check or money order made payable to Riverside County Clerk.
- Send completed forms and payments to: RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK PO BOX 751 RIVERSIDE CA 92502-0751
We cannot accept responsibility for any filing attempted by mail.
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- Use the above link to search the registry and apply.
- Keep your confirmation number (SST#)
- Download, print, and sign your completed form.
- Prepare a check or money order made payable to Riverside County Clerk.
- Deliver completed forms and payment to one of our drop boxes.
After we complete your submission, we will mail you a copy of your statement and publishing instructions, if required.
To save you a trip to the County Clerk's office, many newspapers in Riverside County will file your fictitious statement for you. Call your nearest adjudicated newspaper to find out if they offer this service. Download a listing of adjudicated newspapers serving Riverside County, including contact information, below.
Other Resources
The fee for filing a fictitious business name statement is $66.00 for the fictitious business and first registrant plus $2.00 for each additional business name on the statement doing business at the same address, and each additional registrant. This fee includes one certified copy of the statement.
The fee for filing a statement of abandonment is $27.00.
The fee for filing a statement of withdrawal from a partnership is $27.00.
The fee for a certified copy of any statement on file is $2.00.
Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17900) of Part 3 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code, requires the filing of a Fictitious Business Name Statement.
Who Must File?
Every individual, partnership, and other associations and corporations who regularly transact business for profit in this state under a fictitious business name.
For individuals: A name that does not include the surname of the individual. A name that suggests existence of additional owners (such words as "Company," "& Company," "& Sons," "& Associates," "Brothers;" but not words that merely describe the business being conducted).
For partnerships or other association of persons: A name that does not include surname of each general partner or a name that suggests existence of additional owners (such as "Company," "Brothers," etc.). (In the case of an unincorporated association other than a partnership, a "general partner" means a person whose liability in the business is substantially the same as a general partner.)
For corporations: A name not stated in its articles of incorporation.
Organizations not included: Non-profit corporations or associations such as churches, labor unions, fraternal and charitable organizations, non-profit hospitals, and, real estate investment trusts with permits under Section 23000 of the Corporations Code.
A fictitious business statement expires five years from the date it is filed with the County Clerk, and a new statement must be filed. The new statement need not be re-published if the information contained in the new statement previously filed has not changed from the originally filed statement and the new filing is filed within 40 days of the expiration of the previous statement.
A statement expires 40 days after any change in the facts contained in the statement.
A statement also expires when an abandonment has been filed.
Abandonments
A person who has filed a statement shall, upon ceasing to transact business in this state under that fictitious name, file and publish a statement of abandonment, and file an affidavit of publication. Forms for this purpose are available in the County Clerk's Office.
Withdrawal of a General Partner
A general partner of a partnership having a statement on file may file a statement of withdrawal, publish and file an affidavit of publication. (Publication is not required if the dissolution of the partnership has been published pursuant to the Corporations Code.) Forms for this purpose are available in the County Clerk's Office.
Trustees, Guardians, Administrators, Assignees, and Purchasers
Whenever failure to comply with this law would preclude taking legal action to recover monies due, a trustee in bankruptcy, an administrator of the estate, or an assignee or purchaser of the business may file the fictitious name statement.
The statement must be filed not later than 40 days from the time business commences to be transacted.
The fictitious business name statement shall be filed with the County Clerk of the County in which the registrant has his/her principal place of business. If he/she has no place of business in California, it shall be filed with the County Clerk of Sacramento County.
Within 45 days after the statement is filed, the registrant shall publish it in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal place of business is located. "The newspaper selected for the publication of the statement should be one that circulates in the area where the business is to be conducted." (Section 17917b, Business & Professions Code.)
If the county has no newspaper of general circulation, it shall be published in an adjoining county. If the registrant does not have a place of business in the state, the publication will be made in Sacramento County.
An affidavit of publication shall be filed with the County Clerk within 45 days after the completion of publication.
Prior to filing, the manner in which the business is being conducted must be determined pursuant to B&P 17913(b),(4),(e),(f).
If filing as a Corporation, LLC, or Limited partnership, it will require an original Certificate of Status issued by the Secretary of State certifying the current existence and good standing of that business entity. To obtain a current certificate of status from the California Secretary of State you may visit their website at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business.