Fictitious Business Name Filing

What is a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)?

For an individual, it is a name that does not include the surname of the individual or a name that suggests the existence of additional owners.

  • For partnerships, it is a name that does not include the surname of any general partner or suggests the existence of additional owners.
  • For a corporation, it is a name not stated in the Articles of Incorporation.

Prior to filing, you may search (search information) our records to verify that the name you want is not already being used. It is your responsibility to make sure that the name is available.

Fictitious Business Name Statement Information

  • The statement is a public record. You do not need to list your phone number.
  • Must be filed with the Clerk-Recorder in the county housing your principal place of business.
  • Must be filed no later than forty (40) days from the time you commence business.
  • The registrant must publish the statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county housing the principal place of business within thirty (30) days after filing.
  • The statement expires five (5) years from the date it is filed. A statement must be re-filed prior to the expiration date. There is no need to republish the statement if there has been no change of information.

Fictitious Business Name Mail and Payment Information

The statement may be filed by mail or in person using our online application. Applications can be completed in person at our main office at the Hall of Records in Santa Ana, Room 106, or at our branch offices in Laguna Hills and Fullerton.
(Click here to learn which applications/forms will be accepted.)

Payment in person can be made by cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order, Discover, American Express, MasterCard/Visa Credit and Debit.

Payment by mail must be done by check.

To file a statement by mail:

  1. Complete the application online, print and sign the appropriate signature.
  2. Make the fee check payable to: Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
  3. Mail the original completed form, a self-addressed stamped envelope (to return your recorded form) and the fee check to the following address:
  4. Orange County Clerk-Recorder
    Attn: Fictitious Business Name Statements
    12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 106
    Santa Ana, CA 92701
  5. For mailed requests ONLY, a certified copy of the filed statement will be returned by U.S. mail within seven business days.

Fictitious Business Name Search Information

There is no charge to search Fictitious Business Name(s) in the Clerk-Recorder's office. Our automated system is easy to use and available during normal business hours. Most searches can be completed in about 15 minutes.

The search also can be conducted online (Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement Search).

Copies of fictitious business name statements may be ordered for $0.15 per copy or $2.15 per certified copy. (Certified copies are those attested to as an accurate and complete reproduction of the original document.) Copies are not necessary if searching for name availability only. When requesting a search by our office, there is a fee of $7 for each name you wished to be searched. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, along with the appropriate fees, and mail to:

Orange County Clerk-Recorder
Attn: Fictitious Business Name Statements
12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 106
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Please make checks payable to: Orange County Clerk-Recorder.