California Business · Bus. & Prof. Code §17900 et seq.

FBN / DBA — Fictitious Business Name

If you do business under a name that isn't your legal name (or your LLC/corporation's exact name), California requires a Fictitious Business Name statement filed at the county. We prepare it and the required publication at your direction.

When a DBA fits your setup

What a DBA works with

A fictitious business name pairs with whatever entity you run. Tap a tile to see what each is for.

Form names, numbers, and requirements shown here are general information from official government sources (USCIS, EOIR, California Courts, CA Secretary of State, IRS), provided for informational purposes only — not legal advice. You choose the forms; Imverica prepares them at your direction.

A Fictitious Business Name (FBN), also called a DBA ("doing business as"), lets you operate under a name different from your legal personal name or your registered entity's exact name. California requires the FBN statement to be filed with the county clerk where your business is based, followed by newspaper publication.

When you need a DBA

  • A sole proprietor using a business name that isn't their own surname.
  • An LLC or corporation operating a brand or division under a different name.
  • Banks often require a filed FBN before opening an account under the trade name.

What we prepare

  • The Fictitious Business Name statement for filing with the correct county clerk.
  • The required newspaper publication coordination (publish once a week for four weeks, then file proof).
  • Renewal statements (FBNs generally expire after five years).

What we do NOT do

Imverica is a registered California Legal Document Assistant — not a law firm. We prepare and route the FBN you direct. We do not run a trademark search, advise whether a name is legally available or protectable, or give legal advice. For advice we maintain referrals to licensed attorneys.

Authority: California Business & Professions Code §17900 et seq. (Fictitious Business Names), including the publication requirement in §17917. Document preparation only — not legal advice.

Ready to start your document package?

Flat-fee pricing. No legal advice — document preparation only, at your direction. Multilingual intake in English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish.

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