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How to File a DBA (Fictitious Business Name) in Sacramento County
Filing a DBA in Sacramento County: who needs a fictitious business name, the $50.06 fee, the 30-day publishing rule, and how to renew it every 5 years.
Last reviewed October 20, 2026 · 6 min read
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A DBA ("doing business as") lets you run your business under a name that isn't your legal name. California calls it a fictitious business name. The state has no statewide DBA list. You file in the county where your business is.
Do I need a DBA?
The county explains it this way:
Sole owner: You need one if your business name does not include your last name, or if it suggests extra owners. The county's example: "Joyce Smith Catering" is not fictitious. "Smith and Company Catering" is.
LLC or corporation: You need one if you use any name other than the exact name on file with the Secretary of State.
Why it matters: The county notes that banks often ask for a copy of your FBN Statement before opening a business account in that name.
What you'll need
The business name(s) you want to use
Each owner's name and residential address (P.O. boxes and mail services are not allowed for the residential or business address)
Your business address
A signature from an owner, partner, or recognized officer
Payment payable to Sacramento County
How do I file a DBA in Sacramento County, step by step?
Search the name. Use the county's e-FBN Online Search. The county does not check for duplicates when you file, so this step is on you.
Get the form. Download the FBN Statement and instructions from the county site, call (916) 874-6644 to have one mailed, or fill it out at the office.
Double-check everything. The county says no changes can be made once it's filed, and no refunds are given.
File in person or by mail. Bring or mail it to the Business License Unit, 700 H Street, Room 1710, Sacramento, CA 95814, with the fee.
Publish within 30 days. Choose a newspaper of general circulation in Sacramento County. The county keeps a list of qualified local papers. The notice runs once a week for four weeks in a row.
Keep your records. Save your filed statement and publishing proof. You may need them at the bank.
Skip the "filing service" letters. The county warns that some companies mail official-looking offers to file for a fee. You do not need a third party.
What does a DBA cost?
Item (effective July 1, 2026)FBN Statement (1 business name, 1 owner)
County fee$50.06
Item (effective July 1, 2026)Each additional business name on the same statement
County fee$8.52
Item (effective July 1, 2026)Each additional owner on the same statement
County fee$8.52
Item (effective July 1, 2026)Statement of Abandonment
County fee$50.06
Item (effective July 1, 2026)Certified copy
County fee$7.00
| Item (effective July 1, 2026) | County fee |
|---|---|
| FBN Statement (1 business name, 1 owner) | $50.06 |
| Each additional business name on the same statement | $8.52 |
| Each additional owner on the same statement | $8.52 |
| Statement of Abandonment | $50.06 |
| Certified copy | $7.00 |
Newspaper publishing is a separate cost set by the paper. Ask a few papers for quotes.
How long does it take?
StepFiling
TimingSame visit in person, or mail time
StepStart publishing
TimingWithin 30 days of filing
StepPublishing period
Timing4 weeks
StepRenewal
TimingEvery 5 years
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Filing | Same visit in person, or mail time |
| Start publishing | Within 30 days of filing |
| Publishing period | 4 weeks |
| Renewal | Every 5 years |
How do I renew or change a DBA?
Renew every 5 years and pay the current fee. You don't have to republish if nothing changed.
Changes: If facts change (other than an owner's home address), you file a new statement and publish again.
Stop using the name: File a Statement of Abandonment, pay the fee, and publish it.
Does a DBA protect my name?
Only somewhat. The county points to Business and Professions Code 14411. Filing first creates a "rebuttable presumption" that you have the right to use the name in Sacramento County, if you are actually using it. That is weaker than a trademark. Enforcing it is up to you, not the county.
Is a DBA a business license? No. You still need any city or county license for where you operate.
Picking a name for a new idea? We'll look at it with you in a free Idea Report.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules change, so please check the linked official pages before you file or pay.
Questions people ask
What is a fictitious business name?
For a sole owner, it is any business name that does not include your last name, or that suggests other owners, like "and Company" or "Associates." For an LLC or corporation, it is any name other than the exact name on file with the Secretary of State.
How much does a DBA cost in Sacramento County?
As of July 1, 2026, the county lists $50.06 for a statement with one business name and one owner. Each extra name or owner on the same statement is $8.52. Newspaper publishing costs are separate.
Do I have to publish my DBA in a newspaper?
Yes. The county says you must start publishing within 30 days of filing, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. It runs once a week for four weeks in a row.
How long does a DBA last?
Five years from the filing date. You must refile every 5 years, even with no changes. If nothing changed, you do not have to republish the renewal.
Does the county check whether my name is already taken?
No. The county says it does not check for duplicates or stop similar names. Search the county FBN database yourself before you file.
We can look at the idea with you and point out the next step.
Check your ideaWords to know
DBA: "Doing business as." A business name that is different from your legal name. In California the official term is fictitious business name.
Fictitious business name: The official California term for a DBA.
Publish: Running a legal notice in a newspaper, which the county requires after you file a DBA.
Sole proprietor: One owner running a business with no separate legal entity.
LLC: Limited liability company. A business type that helps keep business debts separate from your personal money.
Sources
- Fictitious Business Name (FBN) FAQs - Sacramento County Department of Finance · finance.saccounty.gov
- Business Licensing fee schedule effective 07.01.26 (includes FBN fees) - Sacramento County · finance.saccounty.gov
- Business Licensing & Fictitious Business Name Statements - Sacramento County · finance.saccounty.gov
- Open a business bank account (DBA and EIN) - U.S. Small Business Administration · sba.gov
This is general information for Sacramento and Northern California businesses. We are not attorneys or tax advisors, and this is not legal or tax advice. Check the official sources, and a local pro, before you act.