How to File a DBA

How to File a DBA
Assuming that you have chosen a fictitious name, it is time to register it (or file it) with the city or
county in which you are doing business. This is a two-part process: first you must publish your
fictitious name through a general circulation newspaper and ; second you must file that name with
the county clerk.
1. Publishing your fictitious name: Your fictitious name must be published in
a general circulation newspaper in your area. It must appear in four consecutive
editions. When your fictitious name is published, the newspaper will send you a
copy of the publication and issue a Publication Certificate. The fee for this
service is usually from $20 and $75.
2. Filing with the county clerk: The Publication Certificate has to be filed with
City or County Clerk. They will send you proof that is has been recorded. Fees
for filing your DBA will vary, but generally run somewhere between $15 and
$50.
Some newspapers will collect your fees and file for you after publishing. This will save you a trip to
the County Clerk's office. Others publish only and require that you do your own filing. As you can
see above, there is also a lot of variation in the fees they charge for this service. Local newspapers
frequently charge less and are easier to access. It would be wise for you to do some calling to
various newspapers and ask the following questions:
• Do you publish new DBAs?
• What is your charge for the publication of a DBA?
• Do you (the newspaper) also file with the City or County
Clerk? If so what are the fees for filing?
• What information do I need to bring with me in order to
complete the Fictitious Name Statement?