How to file a DBA in Orange County, California

So you finally decided to go into business for yourself!! And after all of the brainstorming, you have the perfect name for your business. Now you just need to file your name to make sure it is yours and stays yours.

Things You'll Need

• A Computer
• A Printer
• An idea of your business name.

Instructions

1. 

   First and Foremost, you need to check and see if anyone else has your name. With so many different business already out there and many new ones coming to join them, it is a huge possibility your prospective name has been taken. Log onto http://cr.ocgov.com/fbn/index.asp to double check.

2. 

   After you have checked your name (and made sure no one else has it) you need to go to the ocrecorder.com website and click on the line that says "Files Fictitious Business name statements." In this there will be a lot of information on how you need to go about filing your name.

3. 

   Once you have gone to the OC recorder website, you will see you have a few options on how to file your name. You can either print the form from your printer and mail it in, you can print the form out and bring it to the clerk in Santa Ana, or you can ask them for a form and fill it out while you are there. There is also a $23.00 fee for filing you name.

4. 

   After you have filed, you have 30 days to put your name in a newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks. There are many newspapers out there, so it is just a matter of picking the right one for you. When your 4 weeks are up, you need to either mail it in to the county recorder so they have your file updated, or have the newspaper do it for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Print the forms from your computer at home and fill them out there. It is a much faster process.

• Don't forget to double check the name you want.

• Do Not forget to file your name within 30 days in a newspaper for four weeks. If you don't, you will have to repeat the entire process over again!

Resources

• OC Recorder