THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO FILE YOUR STATEMENTS

By mail - print the on-line form from file link below: print "Fictitious Business Name Statement, Abandonment, or Withdrawal of a Partner", form from file link below and follow on-line instructions;

By coming in person: to our office at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California; You will enter the necessary information into our internal computers.

By requesting: via mail, e-mail or telephone forms and instructions are sent to you. To do so, you must provide your name, mailing address and the type of filing you wish to do; or

By sending someone in for you: your messenger can bring in your typed or legibly handwritten and signed form into our office at the above address. Please note: your messenger will need to enter the information into our internal computers upon arrival.

SEARCH FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILINGS
Names currently in use and status of business filings

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FORM

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME ADDENDUM

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

STATEMENT OF WITHDRAWAL FROM PARTNERSHIP OPERATING UNDER A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

It is the responsibility of the registrant to read and to be familiar with the requirements for filing an FBN statement. If you have legal questions regarding filing of any of the above documents, a complete version of the Business and Professions Code is available for reference at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

The County Clerk staff is not permitted to advise customers on legal matters concerning the filing of an FBN statement. Customer assistance will be limited to general questions concerning completion of the form.

In addition to filing the statement with the County Clerk, it is your responsibility to check the FBN Index in our office to determine if the business name you have chosen is available. (See link to SEARCH FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILINGS). The County Clerks Office cannot refuse to file a Fictitous Business Name Statement because the name is already in use. If there is a conflict between business owners using the same or similar names, it becomes a legal matter between the business owners.

You may file more than one Doing Business As (DBA) on the same form, if all other facts regarding the businesses are identical, i.e. same locations and owners. If listing more than two businesses or registrants, please complete information using FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME ADDENDUM.

If your business will be conducted as a:
- Corporation, you must attach an endorsed copy of your Articles of Incorporation,
- Limited Liability Company, you must attach an endorsed copy of your Articles of Organization, or
- Limited Partnership, you must attach an endorsed copy of your Certificate of Limited Partnership,
which indicates the name on file with the California Secretary of State's Office. (B&P Code 17910.5)

The FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Kern County once a week for four successive weeks within 30 days of the file date.
Click here for a List of Adjudicated Newspapers in Kern County.

If you are taking over a business that already exists and a current FBN statement is on file, the previous owner must file a STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME before, or at the same time you file your FBN. This allows the right to the business name to be transferred from the old owner to the new owner. The fee is $18.00. This statement must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Kern County for four successive weeks within 30 days of the file date.

If a partner(s) from your business wants to withdraw from the business, the departing partner(s) must file a STATEMENT OF WITHDRAWAL OF PARTNERSHIP OPERATING UNDER A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME. The fee is $18.00. This statement must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Kern County for four successive weeks within 30 days of the file date.

The telephone number you provide will be public record. You may receive telephone calls.

No changes to your statement will be accepted after the completed form leaves our office. Therefore, make sure you spell all information correctly, indicate everyone you wish to include as registrants, and be certain as to the exact location and mailing address of your business. Our office does not accept strikeovers, whiteouts or alterations made on a Fictitious Business Name Statement Form, Abandonment Form or Withdrawal Form. Forms sent to our office with such alterations will not be processed and will be sent back for completion of a new form.

OFFICIAL SITE FOR CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILING FEES