How to Close Your DBA in California | how to abandon a California Fictitious Business Name (FBN)

There are many reasons you may need or want to stop using a "doing business as" (DBA) for your business, including selling the business, changing the name, or just shutting it down.

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#dba

[salvadormacias]

Very important information. Thank you so much

[HaleySmith-kk]

Thank you Elizabeth. It was a very informative video. I used Canyon News to publish my abandonment. They had the cheapest rates and also filed the proof of publication.

[gustavojauregui]

I am considering to incorporate as llc, in CA, I have a FBN. Can I use my FBN as my llc name and use my current ein for the llc?

[sydxbabe]

Help! My husband has a DBA for an auto glass company. We have an EIN, Sellers Permit, DBA with the state, and a business license with the city. We had to shut down and both get new jobs. I’ve been trying to figure out what I need to file so we don’t get in trouble with anyone and it’s so overwhelming. I’m struggling to manage it all and get my final tax filing in. I don’t know what to do next.

[KNingles]

Can I cancel my DBA by simply not renewing it? Since I filed it in LA I have never used it for anything. it expires in 2 months

[CAMTHE]

This is great information! I have a sole proprietorship that I stopped running a few years ago. DBA expires in 2026. Do I need to cancel, or is it also ok to leave it?

[CarlosGonzalez-lrxq]

I had a dba filed under my LLC and I was wondering if I can change the name type of the existing dba or would I need to cancel existing and submit a new dba filing? Hope I made sense

[jasono]

hi, I am not able to change Fictitious Business name in ca. Should I go to change to an existing filling for a new dba name or do it for a new filling . What is the different ?

[gigarat]

This is great info! I had just renewed my FBN last year, but now I’m moving from California to Indiana. I’m sure I have to file when I get my new address in Indiana (in the process of researching), but can I just let my FBN here in California expire or should I go through the process to abandon?

[wheepingwillowu]

QUESTIONS: (SORRY OR CAPS, SIGHT IMPAIRED) I WANT TO TRADEMARK THE FICTITIOUS LEGAL ENTITY UPPER CASE NAME. I HEARD IF A TRADEMARK WAS DONE, IT WOULD BE FEDERAL AND ACTIVE IN ALL STATES IS THIS ACCURATE? WOULD IT MAKE ME THE OWNER? WOULD IT ALSO NEED TO BE COPYRIGHTED AND/OR WOULD THAT BE THE SIMPLEST WAY TO OWNING IT? I READ THAT DOING A DBA GIVE NO PROTECTION WHEN IT COMES TO LEGAL ISSUES, NOR OWNERSHIP OF IT. I WANT TO OWN IT. I HAVE'T A CLUE ON HOW MUCH ANY OF THIS WOULD COST OR THAT I CAN AFFORD IT AND TO THEN RENEW IT EVERY 5, 10 OR WHATEVER YEARS. THANKS. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL ANSWER ME SOON. :)

[JAnnC-fgyg]

I have a FBN in California that has been inactive for 12 years, do I need to officially abandon it in light of the Corporate Transparency Act that becomes effective Jan. 1, 2024?
Thank you.

[alejandraortega]

Do you recommend abandoning a Dba when someone switches to a corporation using basically the same name with the “inc”at the end. ?
What are the chances that someone else can register a dba with the abandoned name?

[doublevision]

Is it possible to expunge an abandoned FBN/DBA so that the associated details, e.g., real name, fictitious names, and address can no longer be viewed?

[cecillakhorn]

What about Los Angeles? The service doesn’t help LA.

[eddievaliant]

whats the proper way to shut down a DBA when the owner dies?