How to File a DBA in California - 3 Steps to Register a California DBA

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

💼 To have a service file your DBA for you, we recommend LegalZoom: go.truic.com/3CuVUMs 📘 For a free written guide on How to File a DBA in California: startupsavant.com/how-to-get-a-dba/california

[@lupitawhite3814]

DONT USE LEGAL ZOOM AT ALL - THEY ARE TERRIBLE ~!`

[@artgonzalez9581]

I had an issue within the 30 days of publication. With me having a really busy schedule I thought it wouldn't be a problem contacting the local news paper for publication close to the 30 day deadline. I filled on the 1st of the month and called the news paper on the 27th. They told me it was too late for publication due too their deadline which was sooner than the 30 days and I had to refile. Lesson learned!

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Oh no! Thank you for sharing and warning other entrepreneurs!

[@ciaomamabella]

Thank you so much for this. I checked your website and decided to go with your suggestion from 'My Company Works' to file the DBA for me. Thanks again!

[@veramann]

Good info. The video doesn't say how soon an owner can get the CA certificate.

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

It takes between 1 - 4 weeks to process a DBA registration. Since DBA registrations are handled at county level, processing times will vary. Contact information for county offices is published at www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/County-Registrars-and-Recorders.aspx

[@DithsHauteSpot]

What county do you file with if the business is primarily online and you plan on servicing all of California?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

In California, you must register your fictitious name in the county where your principal place of business is located. With an online small business, the principal place of business is generally the business owner’s home. Thank you for the comment and good luck!

[@adrianbotello8297]

How would publishing go if work is done only within the house because the shop is e-commerce only?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

According to section 17910 of the California Business and Professional Code, any business that uses a fictitious name should file a fictitious business name statement “not later than 40 days from the time the registrant commences to transact such business”. The law makes no exception for ecommerce businesses, even where they are home-based. The name must be published once a week for four weeks in the county of its principal place of business, “within 45 days after a fictitious business name statement has been filed: sections 17917 and 17924. Please note that the information provided by us is not, and it is not intended to, constitute legal advice or tax advice. All content is exclusively provided for educational purposes. For the most up-to-date legal advice, we advise deferring to a professional attorney or certified public accountant.

[@trujen1224]

If I live in Solano county, but my business address is in Yolo County, I’m assuming Yolo county is who I need to publish via their newspaper?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Thanks for the questions. Yes, the publication location is determined by the business's principal address, not the business owner's address. Here's an excerpt from www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/tax-news/november-2019/guide-to-dbas.html: "Within 30 days after filing a fictitious business name statement, the registrant must publish the statement in a local newspaper of general circulation near the principal place of business. The notice must appear once a week for four successive weeks."

[@LikeAStarrx33]

Do you need to do all of this if you're just a sole proprietor?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Thanks for the question! A sole proprietor can use their legal name as a business name, instead of registering a DBA name. A name search is a necessary step in ensuring the DBA name is available for use. If one business has registered the name, it cannot be used by another business. After a DBA name is registered, California state law requires the publication of a Fictitious Business Name Statement in a newspaper in the county where the principal place of business is. It’s recommended, but not necessary to buy a website domain (aka a website name).

[@artgonzalez9581]

In California I have to pay $800 yearly for my LLC. If I were to add a DBA under the same LLC will there be additional tax fees at the end of the year?

[@patronboy777]

800 dollars a year ????

[@artgonzalez9581]

@@patronboy777 in California yes for an LLC

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

There would be additional registration fees. DBAs, known as fictitious business names, are typically handled at the county level. In Los Angeles county, the fee is $26 for an initial DBA and $5 for each subsequent one. In Alameda county, comparable fees are $40 and $7. Contact the County Clerk in your location for the correct fees and let us know if you have any other questions!

[@MexicanNinja84100]

I just filed mine online and emailed my county clerk. I am waiting for my county clerk to sign the document. When do I start calling a news paper to publish an ad? After it is signed or can I start now?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

You must wait until the county has officially processed, approved, and filed your Fictitious Business Name Statement. They should then provide you an official filing date, and from that date, you have 30 days to start completing the publication requirements. To learn more about California DBA's, check out our guide: howtostartanllc.com/dba/dba-california?ref=ytcadba

[@ellencooper-johnson3026]

IF I PUT A DBA UNDERNEATH AN LLC IS IT PROTECTED BY THE LLC?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Yes, your DBA will be protected by your business formation such as an LLC. You can learn more about DBAs vs LLCs in our guide: howtostartanllc.com/form-an-llc/dba-vs-llc

[@davidmata3992]

What 3rd party can i trust to file for me in los angeles county? Is legal zoom legit?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Hi David! Legal Zoom is definitely legit and one of our suggested services. For more options and reviews of services check out our review article here: startupsavant.com/7-business-incorporation-services?ref=ytcadbacc

[@sowhatnevercared9191]

Great video but please slow down

[@hottroundzproductions]

Put it on half speed. Sheesh

[@LeSauce777]

Can I use my DBA within the 4 weeks of publication?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Yes! In California, a DBA name can be used even before it is registered. However, the Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement, as it is called, must be filed within 40 days of starting the business. Also, within 30 days after filing an FBN statement, the statement must be published in a local newspaper of general circulation near the principal place of business, appearing once a week for four successive weeks. Finally, within 30 days of the last date of publication, an affidavit of publication with the city or county office must be filed. Check with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office to determine if there is an official list of approved publications in which an FBN statement may be filed. Please note that the information provided by us is not, and it is not intended to, constitute legal advice or tax advice. All content is exclusively provided for educational purposes. For the most up-to-date legal advice, we advise deferring to a professional attorney or certified public accountant.

[@BossChronicles]

DBA OR LLC FIRST?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

DBA is a legal nickname for your business, you will need to choose your business structure first such as LLC or sole proprietorship before you file for a DBA. For more information on DBAs read our guide: howtostartanllc.com/how-to-file-a-dba?ref=ytcadba

[@desireemartinez5828]

Hi. Would a mobile notary business need a DBA? I’m in Los Angeles California. I’m hearing mixed answers. Tysm!

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Hi there! You are not required to have a DBA, but it could be useful to you if you want to operate your business under a different name. To learn about forming an LLC in California, check out our video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGfHqo2qrMiinrs

[@slimelinkstudios4108]

do i need to be a resident of california to start a dba out there

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Thanks for the comment! A DBA is a brand name for an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship. Some people use the term DBA to mean sole proprietorship. We are assuming you are asking if you can be a sole proprietor in California as a non-resident of the state. The answer is yes. If you want to use a business name that doesn’t include your surname, then you can file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with Sacramento County: finance.saccounty.net/Tax/Pages/FBNResourceLinks.aspx Also, when a non-resident sole proprietor conducts business from their home state and carries on business as a sole proprietorship in CA, they have to file/pay CA state taxes. Here’s more information on that: www.ftb.ca.gov/file/business/types/sole-proprietorship.html#:~:text=A%20nonresident%20operating%20a%20sole,Tax%20Return%20(Form%20540NR)%20. Thanks again and good luck!

[@Dolcedollie]

What is a tax certificate requirement?

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Hi Beauty X Mar, you can learn all about tax certificate requirements in California here: howtostartanllc.com/california-llc#llc-taxes Let us know if you need any more clarification. Thank you for the question and good luck!

[@jacasillasr]

People "please slow down" 😁😁

[@caseyyoungxo22]

I used Canyon News to file my DBA. They have the lowest price in town!!!!

[@HowtostartanllcOfficial]

Thanks for sharing!

[@lupitawhite3814]

DONT USE LEGAL ZOOM AT ALL - THEY ARE TERRIBLE ~!`

[@doorassistservicesllc2470]

Yes too fast

[@hottroundzproductions]

Put it on half speed!

[@sarabjitbassi5310]

L