County of San Benito Clerk, Auditor & Recorder

Fictitious Business Name

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement Filing information for the County of San Benito.

What is a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)?

For an individual, it is a name that does not include the surname of the individual or a name that suggests the existence of additional owners.

  • For partnerships, it is a name that does not include the surname of any general partner or suggests the existence of additional owners.
  • For a corporation, it is a name not stated in the Articles of Incorporation.

Prior to filing, it is recommended that you search the names listed in our records to verify that the name you have chosen has not already been taken. It is your responsibility to make sure that the name is still available since the County will accept any name you present.

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement Information

  • Phone number is an optional item. Your statement is a public record; therefore, you may be solicited.
  • Must be filed with the County Clerk-Recorder in the county in which the registrant has his principal place of business.
  • Must be filed no later than forty (40) days from the time you commence business.
  • Must be published by the registrant. Publication must occur in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal place of business is located within thirty (30) days after filing.
  • Should have an affidavit of publication filed with the County Clerk-Recorder within thirty (30) days after the last publication date.
  • Expires five (5) years from the date it is filed. A statement must be re-filed prior to the expiration date. There is no need to republish the statement if there has been no change in the information contained in the previously filed statement and it has not expired (more than 40 days).

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Application

To file for a Fictitious Business Name, please use our  Online Fictitious Business Name Application.

Payment can be made by cash, personal check, cashier’s check, or money order.

To complete in our office, simply come to our office to sign the forms and be issued your FBN Statement.

To file a statement by mail:

  1. Fill out the application online.
  2. Print and sign the application.
  3. Have your signature notarized.
  4. Make the fee check payable to: San Benito County Clerk
  5. Mail the original completed form, a self-addressed stamped envelope (to return your recorded form) and a check or money order to the following address:

San Benito County Clerk-Recorder
Attn: Fictitious Business Name Statements
440 Fifth Street, Room 206
Hollister, CA 95023

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Abandonment

Section 17922 Business & Professions Code
Upon ceasing to transact business in this state under a fictitious business name that was filed in the previous five years, a person who has filed a fictitious business name statement shall file a statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name. The statement shall be executed in the same manner as a fictitious business name statement and shall be filed with the county clerk of the county in which the person has filed his or her fictitious business name statement. The statement shall be published in the same manner as a fictitious business name statement and an affidavit showing its publication shall be filed with the county clerk after the completion of publication.

To abandon a Fictitious Business Name, please use our Online application process.

To complete in our office, simply come to our office to sign the forms and be issued your FBN Abandonment Statement.

To file a statement by mail:

  1. Fill out the application online.
  2. Print and sign the application.
  3. Have your signature notarized.
  4. Make the fee check payable to: San Benito County Clerk
  5. Mail the original completed form, a self-addressed stamped envelope (to return your recorded form) and a check or money order to the following address:

San Benito County  Clerk-Recorder
Attn: Fictitious Business Name Statements
440 Fifth Street, Room 206
Hollister, CA 95023

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DISCLAIMER: The Information contained herein was believed to be valid at the time of publication. The San Benito County Clerk - Auditor - Recorder - Registrar of Voters reserves the right to make changes in the website at any time and without notice. San Benito County Registrar of Voters assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies. This website is for informational purposes only and separate from the County of San Benito website. This website includes links to other websites not controlled by the San Benito County Clerk - Auditor - Recorder - Registrar of Voters. The San Benito County Clerk - Auditor - Recorder - Registrar of Voters takes no responsibility for the views, content or accuracy of the other sites, nor does it endorse any content or products contained therein.