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Fictitious Business Name Records
Los Angeles County

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Obtain Copies of Fictitious Business Name Records

NOTE: Information that follows is from the Los Angeles County Register-Recorder/County Clerk.
All questions, not answered here, should be directed to the Register-Recorder/County Clerk.

Los Angeles County Fictitious Business Name Statement Information: (800) 201-8999

All individuals, partnerships, married couples, domestic partners, corporations, joint ventures, trusts, and unincorporated associations (other than partnerships) that conduct business for profit under a fictitious name (a business name that does not include the owner(s) surname in the business name) must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The filing expires after five years and must be renewed to remain active.

Fictitious Business Name Statements must be filed in the county that is the principal place of business and may also be filed in other counties, as long as the requirements for filing in the county of principal place of business have been met.

Non-profit corporations, organizations or associations are not required to file a Fictitious Business Name Statement.

WHAT INFORMATION IS RECORDED IN A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (FBN) STATEMENT?

A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement includes the following information:

  • FBN under which business is conducted
  • Name of all registered owner(s) of business
  • Resident address of registered owner(s)
  • State of incorporation, if applicable
  • The form in which the business is organized (sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, etc.
  • Signature of a principal owner/officer/manager

BUSINESS LICENSES

Business licenses are different than Fictitious Business Name statements and are not registered with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Rather, business licenses are issued by the municipal government (City Hall) where the business conducts business (find the applicable City Hall page here). Businesses operating in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County are issued a business license by the Los Angeles County Business License office.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME SEARCH

A fictitious business name search may be conducted:

In addition, copies of the Fictitious Business Name Statement may be obtained in person or by mail.

SEARCH FOR A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN PERSON

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Office, Norwalk

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Office in Norwalk. Photo from Google Maps, Copyright 2017 Google.

There is no charge for a Fictitious Business Name search done in person. If a search reveals the business name, a certified copy can be obtained for $2.00 per document. Certified copies of FBN Statements may be obtained in person at the Norwalk office of the county recorder and at the Lancaster, Van Nuys, and LAX courthouses.

Note: Searches at the courthouse locations only yield business name, document number and date filed. All information in a Fictitious Business Name statement and copies can only be obtained in person from the Norwalk office, in person or by mail.

Business name searches can be conducted in person at the following locations:

Location Address Hours
Norwalk (Main Office) 12400 Imperial Hwy, Rm 1201
Norwalk, CA 90650		 Mon- Fri, except holidays
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
LAX Courthouse 11701 S La Cienega Blvd, 6th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045		 Mon- Fri, except holidays
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lancaster Courthouse 44509 16th St West, Ste 101
Lancaster, CA 93534		 Mon- Fri, except holidays
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Van Nuys Courthouse 14340 W Sylvan St
Van Nuys, CA 91401		 Mon- Fri, except holidays
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The telephone number for all locations is (800) 201-8999.

SEARCH FOR A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME ONLINE

Online Request

Photo by Vojtech Okenka via Pexels.com.

Search for currently-registered Fictitious Business Names statements.

County Recorder FBN Search Page

As with in person searches at the three courthouse locations, online search results only yield business name, document number, and date filed. Business names that were not renewed are not on record. For a copy of the FBN statement, you must obtain the document from the Norwalk office in person or by mail.

SEARCH FOR A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME BY MAIL

Request by Mail

Los Angeles Almanac Photo.

Only the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office in Norwalk (main office) accepts mail requests for FBN searches.

Requests for a fictitious business name search should be mailed to:

Business Filings and Registration
P.O. Box 1208
Norwalk, CA 90650-1208

Include the following information in your request:

  • Business name(s)
  • Business address(es)
  • A non-refundable search fee of $5.00 per name, payable by check or money order to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. If a search matches the business name, a certified copy will be provided at $2.00 per document.
  • A stamped, self-addressed return envelope.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please call (800) 201-8999 or visit Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.


Source: Los Angeles County Register-Recorder/County Clerk