Did you know the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office recently made a major change to their Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement filing process? Registered business owners can now complete their FBN filing online, including proof of identity, signature, and payment. A $9 service fee applies. After completing the filing, registrants will receive their FBN filing via email. Person's filing new FBN statements will have to follow the process outlined below.
What Are Fictitious Business Name Statements and Their Purpose:
Filing a Fictitious Business Name Statement in Los Angeles County refers to the legal registration of a business name that differs from the owner's legal name or the name under which the business operates. This registration is mandatory for sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations that intend to conduct business using a name other than their own.
Person's that use their surname as part of their business name as well as non-profit associations, corporations or organizations are not required to file a FBN.
The main purpose of filing a Fictitious Business Name Statement is to ensure openness and prevent fraud. It helps consumers identify the business owners, promoting trust and accountability.
How To File A Fictitious Business Name Statement In Los Angeles County:
Name Search: Before registration, conduct a name search to verify that your desired business name is not already taken. This search can be done online through the County Clerk's office..
Filling Out the Forms: After verifying your chosen name availability, the next step is filling out the necessary forms. In Los Angeles County, forms differ based on business entity type and typically need details like business name, address, type of business, and registrant information.
Notarization: When filing a Fictitious Business Name Statement in Los Angeles County, notarization is essential. The forms must be notarized before submission if not filed online or in person. The notary public verifies the identity of the signers and witnesses the signatures on the document.
Submit and Publish: After notarization (if required), file the forms with the Los Angeles County Clerk's office, including the filing fee. Once accepted, a notice of the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be published in a local newspaper for a designated period to inform the public.
The Notary's Role In Fictitious Business Name Statement Filings:
Notaries play an important role in ensuring the validity of Fictitious Business Name Statement filings. They confirm the identities of individuals signing the forms, ensuring that the signatures are authentic and that the registrants are correctly identified. This verification is essential for maintaining the legitimacy of the documents. Additionally, their independent identity verification deters fraud, maintaining the registration system's integrity and preventing unauthorized filings.
For more than 23 years, Notary Long Beach-Mobile Notary & Apostille has notarized hundreds of Fictitious Business Name Statements for businesses large and small across various industries. Contact us today to experience our fast and professional mobile notary services, conveniently available in cities throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County.
Key Takeaways:
Effective June 13, 2024, the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office has introduced an online filing option for Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statements. Registered business owners can now complete the entire process digitally, including identity verification, signature, and payment, subject to a $9 service fee. Upon completion, the FBN filing is sent via email.
New FBN filings follow these steps:
Name search to confirm availability
Form completion based on business entity type
Submission to the County Clerk's office with the filing fee
Publication of the FBN Statement notice in a local newspaper
Notarization remains necessary for forms not filed online or in person, which ensures signature authenticity and legal compliance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberly D. McKendell, the owner of Notary Long Beach-Mobile Notary & Apostille, is a mobile notary public based in Long Beach who has completed thousands of notarizations since 2001. Call her for all of your notary needs. She specializes in apostilles and authentications, real estate documents, living trusts, medical records, estate planning documents, fictitious business name filings, title transfers, patent forms, international adoptions, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and power of attorney documents.