Fictitious Business Names

Any person who regularly transacts business for profit under a fictitious business name (name that does not include the surname of the individual owner and each of the partners or the nature of the business is not clearly evident by the name) in the County of Santa Cruz is required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the County Clerk within 40 days of first transacting business.

ALERT!!! - FBN filers may receive notices from 3rd party vendors who charge a fee to file FBN renewals. Filers may avoid these extra fees by filing directly with the County Clerk. Please call us at 831-454-2060 for more information. The County Clerk will send a renewal notice that looks like this. 

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• ​How to File or Renew a Fictitious Business Name Statement
• Fictitious Business Name Statement Application Form  - español
• Frequently Asked Questions about Fictitious Business Names
• More Information about Fictitious Business Names
• Online Fictitious Business Name Search
• Ordering More Copies
• Searching Files
• List of Adjudicated Newspapers Serving Santa Cruz County
• Form and Instructions for Withdrawing from a Partnership Operating under a Fictitious Business Name - español
• Form and Instructions for Abandoning a Fictitious Business Name
• Business Information/Contacts - español
• Starting a new business