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1. Who needs to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement?

• Corporations: when using a name other than the name registered with the Secretary of State Corporate Filing Division
• Individual: when the registrant's surname (last name) is not part of the business name and no other words suggest the existence of additional owners
• Limited Liability Company: when using a name other than the name registered as a limited liability company with the Secretary of State
• Partnerships or other associations of persons: when the surnames of each general partner are not part of the business name and no other words suggest the existence of additional owners
• When the name contains words that suggest the existence of additional owners, such as Company, and Company, and Associates, and Sons, and Group, etc.

2. What is the filing process?

• After filing, the statement must be published in a newspaper of general circulation, once a week for four successive weeks, with the first publication occurring within 45 days of the filing date
• Applications are available in the County Clerk-Recorder's Office or you may print from the applications on the Fictitious Business Name page
• The fee is $50 for the first business name and first owner's name on the same statement; each additional business name and owner's name is an additional $5
• Fill out an online application, then appear at the Clerk-Recorders Office within 10 working days, at 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, with a valid ID.
• The statement expires five years from the date of filing or 40 days after any change in facts of the statement (except any change of residential address for any registrant)