If you're operating a business in Riverside County under any name other than your legal personal name (or the full name of every owner), California Business and Professions Code §17900 requires you to file a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement — often called a DBA ("Doing Business As"). Filing an FBN is a two-step process: register with the County Clerk, then publish the statement in a newspaper of general circulation for four consecutive weeks.
This guide walks through every step, including the county filing fee, the 30-day publication deadline, and what happens if you miss it.
Step 1 — Choose Your Business Name
Before filing, make sure your proposed name isn't already in use. You can search existing FBNs at the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder's document search portal. Avoid names that include misleading words like "Corporation," "Inc.," or "LLC" unless your business actually has that structure.
Step 2 — File the FBN with the County Clerk
Submit the FBN statement to the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder:
- Main Office: 2724 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA 92507
- Hemet Branch: 880 N. State Street, Hemet, CA 92543
- Online: rivcoacr.org/FictitiousBusinessNames
The county filing fee starts at approximately $26 for one business name and one registrant. Each additional business name or registrant adds a small fee. The Clerk stamps and returns a certified copy of the FBN statement — you'll need that stamped copy to publish.
Step 3 — Publish the FBN in an Adjudicated Newspaper
Within 30 days of filing, you must publish the FBN in a newspaper of general circulation in Riverside County, once a week for four consecutive weeks (Business & Professions Code §17917). NewFBN handles this step for $66 flat — upload the stamped FBN, pay online, and we run it for 4 Thursdays in the Hemet or San Jacinto Chronicle.
Start Your $66 Publication Order
Step 4 — File the Proof of Publication
After the 4th weekly publication, the newspaper signs a Proof of Publication affidavit. You must file this affidavit with the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder within 30 days of the last publication. NewFBN emails you the affidavit automatically after the final run.
Step 5 — Renew Every 5 Years
FBN registrations in California are valid for 5 years. Before the expiration date, file a renewal with the County Clerk. If the information hasn't changed and you renew before expiration, re-publication is not required.
Summary of Costs for a Riverside County FBN
- County filing fee — ~$26 (base, varies with additional names/registrants)
- Newspaper publication (NewFBN) — $66 flat, includes 4 weekly runs plus Proof of Publication
- Additional business names on same filing — $5 each (NewFBN)
- Total typical cost — about $92
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to file an FBN in Riverside County?
- The county filing fee starts around $26 for one business name and one registrant, plus small fees for additional names or registrants. Then you must publish the statement — NewFBN charges $66 for the required 4 weekly publications plus the Proof of Publication affidavit.
- How long do I have to publish my FBN after filing?
- California Business and Professions Code §17917 requires publication within 30 days of filing with the county. If you miss this window, the filing is abandoned and you must start over. Order publication immediately after you receive the stamped statement back from the Clerk-Recorder.
- How long is an FBN valid in California?
- An FBN registration is valid for 5 years from the date of filing. After 5 years, you must file a renewal and (if the information has changed or the filing has lapsed) publish again.
- Do I need an FBN and an LLC?
- Not always. See our FBN vs LLC comparison. In short: an FBN is just a registered trade name; an LLC is a legal entity with liability protection. Many businesses form an LLC and then file an FBN if the LLC does business under a different name.