• Persons doing business for profit under a fictitious name (does not include surname in company name)
  
• Statement must be filed in county of principal place of business, and may also be filed in other counties as long as the requirements for filing in the county of principal place of business have been met

• Be certain the information in the statement is correct and complete before filing it. You cannot make changes to the statement once it has been filed. Any changes would require the filing of a new statement, payment of the filing fees again, and publication in a newspaper in Sonoma County.



• When you file a fictitious business name statement, it does not reserve the name for your exclusive use. The filing is for consumer protection, and is a requirement under Business & Professions Code Section 17900.



• The County Clerk's Office cannot refuse to file a fictitious business name statement because the name is already being used by someone else.



• If there is a conflict between business owners using the same or similar names, it becomes a legal matter between the business owners.



• Your residence address (where you live) must be listed under the registrant information. If the registrant is a corporation/LLC, an address (not PO Box) and the State of Incorporation/Organization must be listed.



• All information contained in the statement is a PUBLIC record, including your residence address. Anyone can purchase copies of the statement.



• All original filings as well as new filings with a change in the facts from the previous filing must be published. The statement must be published in an adjudicated newspaper, once per week for four consecutive weeks. The first publication must begin within thirty days of the date the statement was filed in the County Clerk's Office. A list of newspapers is available from our office.



• The proof of publication must be filed in the County Clerk's Office. Please check with the newspaper to see if they will forward the original to our office for filing.



• The statement is a REFILE WITH NO CHANGES if NO information (including residence address of the owner(s)) changed from the previous filing. Statements filed as a REFILE WITH NO CHANGES do not need to be published provided they are refiled within 40 days of the expiration of the current statement. The customer is responsible for determining whether publication on a refiled statement is required.



• The statement is valid for five years from the date it is filed in the County Clerk's Office, unless there is a change in any information (except the registered owners address). A change requires a new statement be filed within 40 days of the change. The new statement would also need to be published.



• If you have any questions regarding the filing of your fictitious business name statement, please call 707-565-3800, or come to our office at 2300 County Center Drive, Ste. B-177, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

• Come to Sonoma County Clerk's Office
  

  2300 County Center Drive, B-177
  

  Santa Rosa, California 95403
  

• Mail self-addressed, stamped envelope to above address and ask for form
• Download Forms
  

• File within 40 days of business start date
  
• Owner must sign (corporate officer if corporation; manager or officer if limited liability company)
  
• Street address of principal place of business and county must be listed (corporation/limited liability companies must include an address and State of incorporation/organization)
  
• All owners and their residence addresses must be listed
  
• Filed copy of statement must be published once per week for four consecutive weeks in an adjudicated newspaper in Sonoma County (list available at County Clerk's Office)
  
• Publication begins within 30 days of filing

• Filing does NOT reserve the name - it is for consumer protection purposes only
  
• Filing is good for 5 years if no changes are made
  
• Any change except owner residence address requires re-filing and republication within 40 days of the change
  
• Name must be abandoned if no longer in business by filing statement of abandonment, paying $28 fee, and publication

 

If you need further information regarding fictitious business names, you may call the County Clerk's Office at 707-565-3800 or visit our office Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

We are always interested in receiving your feedback and/or questions.