How to file a DBA on line with the Los Angeles County Recorder
Click File a Fictitious Business Name
Click what kind of DBA you would like to file
- Online – Online submission would consist of a registrant (registered business owner) filing an FBN online, proving their ID, signing and paying for the filing online. The completed FBN will be sent back to the registrant via email.
- In-Person – In-Person refers to a Registrant who is filing a Fictitious Business Name Statement (FBN) and plans to bring it into one of the RR/CC designated offices to pay, sign, and finalize the transaction.
- Mail-In – Mail-in refers to a Registrant who chooses to mail their payment and the printed/signed Fictitious Business Name Statement (FBN) to our office. THIS SELECTION REQUIRES NOTARY PUBLIC SUBMISSION.
- Third Party – Third Party refers to Registrants who choose to allow an individual or business to finalize their transaction by delivering the completed and signed FBN and payment to our office on behalf of the Registrant. THIS SELECTION REQUIRES NOTARY PUBLIC SUBMISSION.
Then select the type of DBA you need to file.
- Fictitious Business Name Statement – For New Filings – Requires Publication
- Fictitious Business Name Statement Amendment – For changes to an existing filing (prior to renewal) – Requires Publication.
- Fictitious Business Name Statement Renewal – No Changes in fact from last filing.
- Fictitious Business Name Statement Abandonment – Abandon business name from a Fictitious Business Name Statement – Requires Publication.
- Fictitious Business Name Statement Withdrawal – Withdraw Registered owner(s) name from a Fictitious Business Name Statement – Requires Publication.
First, do a business name search to make sure the business name isn’t already taken. Or for Renewals, Amendments, Abandonment, and Withdrawal filings you will search a business name for the file number. After the search, fill in the information needed step by step. It will guide you through and it is pretty simple.
If you are filing as a Corp or LLC as your registered owner you must show proof that your Corp or LLC is active. Visit the State of California website at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business and do a search for your Corp or LLC. Click on your corp or LLC and save a screenshot of that page that shows you are ACTIVE. Save that screenshot in the accepted formats (pdf, jpg). Upload it on the site. You will not be able to proceed without doing this correctly. Your Corp or LLC MUST BE ACTIVE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
FOR ONLINE – Once you have submitted all your information you will receive an emailed Order Confirmation. You will receive an email from a third-party payment processor, VitalChek, to verify your identity and make your payment using a credit card. Once you pay you will receive in an email your filed certified DBA.
FOR MAIL- IN Sign your completed document, on your computer with mouse or finger. Once you have made sure all the information is correct, you will Download Preview File. Once an order is submitted, changes cannot be made. By clicking “Submit Order’, you declare that all information in the statement is true and correct (a registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime). Check the box “I have verified the information above” then check the box “I’m not a robot” and Submit Order.
Print the DBA and Affidavit of Identity form.
Take your printed PROOF OF IDENTITY form to a Notary with your Driver’s License, CA ID, or passport. All UPS stores have notaries on staff. Call first! All notaries charge $15 for this service.
Get ready to mail all your paperwork. Your will need:
1) Your Printed DBA.
2) Notarized Proof of Affidavit.
3) Check or Money Order for the appropriate amount made payable to RR/CC.
Mail to:
Business Filing and Registration
P.O. Box 1208
Norwalk, CA 90651-1208
Fees – To file for one business name under one registered owner $26. If you have more than one business name and or partner(s) an extra $5 added onto the $26 so anything additional is $5. Renewals are $26.
After submitting your DBA you will receive an email with an Order Confirmation. Please review this email and make sure you received it.
If you mail your DBA it takes about 2-3 weeks to receive it back from the Recorder. Once you have received it back as filed from the Recorder you are required to publish your filed DBA in a newspaper for four consecutive weeks. The Easy Reader charges a total of $100 to publish as DBA. Call the Easy Reader at 310-372-4611. We can take your Credit Card information over the phone for payment. Email or Fax a copy of your filed DBA to Judy@easyreadernews.com.
Once your DBA has finished publication I will send a digital proof of publication to the Recorder to be recorded. This will prove that you have followed through with publication and complete your DBA for five years.
For questions and information call Recorder/County Clerk: (800) 201-8999