A DBA is a trade name that is used to operate a business in Los Angeles, California under a name other than your own. The primary purpose of filing a Fictitious Business Name Statement is to inform the public with whom they are doing business. When an individual or company is running a business under a different name in Los Angeles, California, it is necessary to register the DBA with the county to operate your business legally.
You can file a DBA on your own through the appropriate county website, but it is helpful to have a business attorney in Los Angeles guide you through this process. Verifying that your business name is available and registering it with the appropriate officials is important for the legal success of your business.
If you are looking for a way to file a DBA in Los Angeles, then your best option is to get in touch with the experts at Stone & Sallus. We specialize in helping companies with the process of filing their DBAs and establishing their legal businesses, and we have the knowledge and experience necessary to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
When Do You Need a DBA in Los Angeles?
The State of California requires that you register your business name with the county or counties in which your business will operate, but only if you are operating under a name other than your own. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLCs are the most common types of businesses that need to file a DBA in Los Angeles County.
There is a lot of confusion among young entrepreneurs regarding what constitutes doing business under your own name, and when a DBA is necessary. This confusion surrounds the fact that the surname must be included in the business name. In addition, if other words are included, they should accurately describe what the business has to offer.
For example, Sue Bannon wants to run a secretarial service. If she names her business Bannon Secretarial she does not need to file a DBA. However, if she wants to name her business Sue’s Secretaries, she does need to file a DBA because her last name is not included.
You may also need to file a DBA in Los Angeles if your business name meets any of these circumstances:
- You want to add “and Sons” to your business name. By not naming the sons individually, a DBA is required with all owners listed.
- You want to do business under a different name entirely. A DBA is necessary even if you are forming a separate LLC or other business entity.
- Your business is already established in another county, but you will be operating in Los Angeles County under a name other than your own.
Don’t forget that there are other items you must file to legally operate a business in Los Angeles as well, including filing for a business license in each city or town in which you will have a location. The experienced attorneys at Stone & Sallus can guide you through every step.
Filing a DBA in Los Angeles
Filing a DBA in Los Angeles is not difficult, and you can find all of the information you need to do so on the website for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Los Angeles loves to support local small businesses, so they offer as many small business resources as possible for you to file your DBA with ease.
After reviewing the requirements for filing a DBA in Los Angeles, follow these steps to file your Fictitious Business Name Statement.
1. Research your designed business name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to make sure that it is not already in use.
2. Gather all of the information that you will need to file the DBA online. Required information that will need to be provided includes:
- Signature of business owner, corporate officer, manager or office of LLC, or general partner.
- Street address and county of principle place of business.
- All owners and street addresses for their residences must be included.
- For LLCs and corporations, documentation from the State of California of registration and good standing is also required.
3. Complete the online Fictitious Business Name Statement and Notarized Affidavit of Identity.
4. Schedule an in-person appointment up to 2 weeks in advance with the Los Angeles County Clerk. Alternatively, you can file by mail.
5. Once approved, you must publish your Fictitious Business Name Statement once per week for four weeks in an adjudicated newspaper in Los Angeles County, with publication beginning within 30 days of the DBA being filed.
California DBA Forms
The state of California doesn’t have standard forms for all counties. Most Los Angeles businesses can file their DBAs with online forms. Both of the forms you need – the Fictitious Business Name Statement and the Affidavit of Identity – can be found on the Los Angeles County Clerk website. You can also get forms from the office of the county clerk.
The completed DBA form will look different for an individual owner than for a corporation, etc. You can use this guide to see what the completed DBA forms should look like for your business type. If you’re not sure what type of business model you should have, talk to one of our experience business attorneys.
How an Attorney Can Help You File a DBA in Los Angeles
Hiring an attorney is the best way to file a DBA in Los Angeles. An experienced attorney familiar with the county’s registration requirements and procedures is more likely to get your business off the ground quickly.
While filing a DBA in Los Angeles is easy to do on your own, hiring an attorney can help prevent delays. They can also advise you on the legal formation of your business and how to protect your personal assets from business liabilities.
Working with Stone & Sallus
We are standing ready to help you take your business to the next level. If you’re tired of freelancing and want some financial and legal stability in your business, filing a DBA is the first step. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you establish your small business in Los Angeles.
