Register a DBA Name in California
Registered business entities and sole proprietors may obtain a California DBA name. A DBA ("doing business as") name is a fictitious or assumed business name that a company uses for trade with the public. California businesses register DBA names with the clerk-recorder's office in the county where there principal place of business is located. A company that files a DBA name obtains the exclusive right to use that name in their California county.
Instructions
1. Go to the website of the clerk-recorder in the county where you have your principal place of business. You can find this through your official county website, which you may locate via the California State Association of Counties website. Get the phone number and address for your county clerk-recorder.
2. Run a search for the DBA name you want to use--you may not register a DBA name already used by another company. Some counties have an online search engine to check for available DBA names. If yours doesn't, you must go to the clerk-recorder's office to check. The clerk-recorder's office will direct you to the right computer or files to search. Some counties may search for you for a small fee.
3. Access the DBA filing form online or go to the clerk-recorder's office to get it--either way, you must mail it in or file the form in person at the clerk-recorder's office. Fill out four originals of the DBA registration form--the county keeps one form and you keep another. The county will certify one copy for you in case you need it, and you save the fourth copy to use for the required public notice. You may register more than one business under the DBA name if you own multiple businesses at the same address.
4. Pay the fees for filing the DBA. Each county sets its own fees and payment methods. Ask the clerk-recorder or refer to the county registration form for fee details. As of 2010, most California counties charge about $30 for the first registrant and business name and $7 extra for additional registrants (businesses at the same address) and additional DBA names. Counties typically let you pay by credit card or cash at the office or by check, money order or cashier's check if registering by mail. Register multiple names and registrants at the same time to save money on the fees. Submit the form and fees according to your county's instructions.
5. Bring one of the originals of the full DBA form to the offices of your local newspaper and have the newspaper publish the form in its public notices section. Most newspapers charged about $40 to publish such notices, as of 2010. Your form must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and area where you conduct business. You must do this within 30 days and the public notice must run once a week for four straight weeks. You must separate each date of publication by at least five days. Obtain an affidavit of publication from the newspaper and file it with the county clerk's office within 30 days after publication.
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