The short answer
California fictitious business names expire five years after filing. Renew with your county clerk before the expiration date. If nothing changed, you usually do not need to publish again. If anything changed — the business name, owners, address or type of ownership — or the statement already expired more than 40 days ago, the renewal must be published once a week for four weeks.
Not sure when yours expires? Look it up in our free FBN search — every result shows the expiration date.
Renew by county
- Riverside County FBN renewal — file with the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.
- San Diego County FBN renewal — file with the San Diego County ARCC.
When publication is required
| Situation | Publish? |
|---|---|
| Renewed before expiration, no changes | No |
| Renewed with any change (name, owner, address, ownership type) | Yes — 4 weeks |
| Expired, refiled within 40 days, no changes | No |
| Expired more than 40 days ago, or refiled with changes | Yes — 4 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I have to renew a fictitious business name in California?
Every five years. A California FBN statement expires five years from the date it was filed with the county clerk (Business & Professions Code §17920). File a renewal with the same county before it expires.
Do I have to publish my FBN renewal?
Only if something changed or the statement already expired. A renewal filed before expiration with no changes does not need to be published. If the business name, owners, business address or type of ownership changed, it must be published again. If the statement expired, a refiling filed within 40 days of expiration with no changes also need not be published (B&P §17917).
What happens if my FBN expires?
An expired FBN is no longer on file, so banks and payment processors may not accept it. Refile with the county; if you refile more than 40 days after expiration, or with any changes, the new statement must be published for four weeks.
How much does FBN renewal publication cost?
When publication is required, NewFBN publishes Riverside and San Diego County renewals for a flat $66, including four weekly runs and the signed Proof of Publication. The county's renewal filing fee is separate.
Where do I file my renewal?
With the county clerk where the original statement was filed: the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, or the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC).