California note
An LA County business name filing starts with the County Clerk
Los Angeles County fictitious business name filings are handled by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, separate from city business tax, seller's permits, and state business filings.
In LA County, a fictitious business name is the “doing business as” name people often call a DBA. It comes up when the public business name does not plainly show who owns it.
The County Clerk handles that filing. It is separate from a City of Los Angeles business tax account. It is also separate from a seller’s permit, a state filing, or a permit for the place where the business works.
That split matters for small shops, online sellers, home businesses, food vendors, contractors, and side businesses using a public name. A name can look ready on a sign or website. The public filing may still be its own step.
Start with the business name, owner name, business address, and main place of business. If that main place is in LA County, begin with the county FBN page.
After filing, check the county’s publication steps and renewal timing. Those details are easy to miss because they come after the form feels finished.
Where to see it
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk fictitious business name pages.
Official sources
Official pages
Reviewed July 3, 2026
Current rules, forms, fees, deadlines, maps, and office instructions.
Rules, forms, fees, deadlines, and office procedures can change. Check the current page before you file, pay, or rely on a date.
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