FBN Statement at a glance
What it is: The Fictitious Business Name Statement is a County of Sacramento Department of Finance form, and it is not a business license.
Who signs: If the registrant is an individual, the statement must be signed by the individual; if a partnership or other association of other persons, by a general partner; if a trust, by a trustee; if a corporation, by an officer (title must be indicated); if a limited liability company, by an officer or a manager (title must be indicated).
According to B & P Code Section 17900 (b), “Fictitious Business Name” means: “(1) In the case of an individual, a name that does not include the surname of the individual”.
What to bring and attach to FBN Statement
If filing in person or by an agent, the registrant or agent must present personal identification. Accepted forms of identification are a valid California driver license, California ID, a passport, or other form deemed acceptable to the County Clerk.
A filled-in FBN Statement example: an individual files for her bakery
How to fill out FBN Statement, box by box
Street address, city, state, zip of principal place of business
Insert the street address, city, state, zip and county of the principal place of business in California; a P.O. Box or PMB is not acceptable.
Out of State/Country businesses filing in Sacramento County: insert the street address, city, state, zip and county of the principal place of business outside of this State/Country.
Fictitious Business Name(s)
Insert the fictitious business name or names if more than one name. If more than 2 names, attach additional sheet.
Full Name of Owner(s) and business mailing address
Individual: insert full name and business mailing address of the individual.
Married Couple: insert full name and business mailing address of both spouses.
Partnership, co-partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or other association of persons: insert the full name and business mailing address of each general partner.
Trust: insert full name and business mailing address of each trustee.
Corporation: insert the name and business address of the corporation as set out in its articles of incorporation, and the state of incorporation.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): insert the name and business mailing address of the LLC as set out in its articles of organization, and the state of organization.
State or local Registered Domestic Partnership: insert full name and business mailing address of each domestic partner.
If more than 2 owners, attach additional sheet.
This business is conducted by (one selection only)
Indicate which of the terms best describes the ownership of the business, with one selection only.
Date began using business name and type of Activities/Business
Insert the date on which the registrant first began using business name(s) or expected date to begin. If the registrant has not yet begun transacting business and the expected date is unknown, insert “N/A”.
Describe the type activities/business that is occurring at address in section 1 6a.
Sign, Print Name and Phone Number
The registrant declares that all information in this statement is true and correct.
Enter Print Name and Phone Number.
Signature of an agent is not acceptable (6b).
Officer Title
If a Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Limited Partnership (LP) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), Officer Title must also be completed.
If the registrant is a corporation, acceptable officer titles include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, CEO, CFO, COO.
If the registrant is an LLC, acceptable officer titles include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, CEO, CFO, COO, Member, Managing Member, and Manager.
More rules for FBN Statement
Once filed, all information on the fictitious business name statement is public record.
The filing of this Statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (Section 14411 et seq., of the Business and Professions Code).
If your situation is different
Publish the statement in a newspaper
Notice to registrant pursuant to Section 17924 Business & Professions Code: within 45 days after the fictitious business name statement has been filed with the County Clerk, the statement must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the fictitious business name was filed. The statement must be published once a week for four successive weeks with at least five days between each date of publication.
If the registrant has no place of business in this state, the notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Sacramento County.
An affidavit of publication must be filed with the county clerk within 45 days after the completion of the publication.
Expiration of the Fictitious Business Name Statement
In accordance with Section 17920 (a), a Fictitious Business Name Statement generally expires five years from the date it was filed with the County Clerk, unless the statement expires earlier. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.
A fictitious business name statement expires 40 days after any change in the facts as set forth in the statement, except (1) a change in the residence address of an individual, general partner, or trustee does not cause the statement to expire, and (2) the filing of a statement of withdrawal from partnership by a withdrawing partner does not cause the statement to expire. A new statement must be filed within 40 days after a change in the information required on this statement.
A fictitious business name statement expires when the registrant files a statement of abandonment of use of the fictitious business name statement.
If refiling is required because the prior statement has expired, the refiling need not be published unless there has been a change in the information in the expired statement, provided the refiling is filed within 40 days of the date the statement expired.
Common questions about FBN Statement
How to submit a DBA in California?
Type or print clearly. Must be filed in-person or by mail. If submitting by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your endorsed copies.
Are there fees?
The form prints $51.15 for the first business name and owner on the statement, $8.71 for each additional business name on the statement and $8.71 for each additional business owner on the statement (checked October 29, 2026). Make checks or money orders payable to Sacramento County.
Is there a penalty?
Any person who executes, files, or publishes any fictitious business name statement, knowing that such statement is false, in whole or in part, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) (checked October 29, 2026).
Sources
[1] FBN Statement (7-2025), Fictitious Business Name Statement, County of Sacramento Department of Finance (the Official source link on this page).
