Learn how to dissolve a DBA in California. Follow the required steps, forms, and filing rules to properly cancel your fictitious business name.

DBA Dissolution in California: Requirements & Step-by-Step Process

Dissolving a DBA in California is a required legal step to officially close your fictitious business name. The process involves filing the correct cancellation form with the county and ensuring all business obligations tied to the DBA are properly concluded. This guide walks you through the key requirements and simple steps to complete the dissolution correctly.

DBA Dissolution in California

The process of dissolving a DBA (Doing Business As), also known in California as a Fictitious Business Name (FBN), is a required legal step when a business owner stops using a trade name.

California law requires every business operating under a name different from its legal entity to register that name with the county. Likewise, when the business ceases to use that name, the owner must formally abandon or dissolve the DBA to keep public records accurate and compliant.

When You Must File a DBA Abandonment

• You have stopped using the DBA name completely

When a business no longer conducts any activities under a specific Fictitious Business Name, California law requires the owner to officially abandon the DBA. This ensures that public records stay accurate and prevents government agencies or customers from assuming the business is still operating under that name.

• Your entity name has changed and the DBA is no longer used

When an LLC or corporation changes its legal name or rebrands, the old DBA may no longer be necessary. Filing an abandonment prevents confusion and keeps your business record clean and compliant.

• You want to release the DBA so someone else can register it

If another individual or business wants to use the same name, the prior registrant must abandon it first. This helps prevent conflicts when counties check name availability during a new FBN filing.

When You Must File a DBA Abandonment

Required Information for DBA Dissolution

• The exact fictitious business name being abandoned

The name must match the original DBA filing exactly as it appeared in county records. This ensures the County Clerk can correctly identify the business name to remove from public registration.

• The principal place of business address

California requires the abandonment statement to list the physical business address associated with the DBA. This aligns the dissolution with the original filing and helps verify the business location.

• The filing number, filing date, and county of the original DBA

This information connects the abandonment to the correct record in the county system. It ensures clerks can locate and verify the original FBN Statement before processing the dissolution.

• Full legal names and residence addresses of all registrants

The law requires listing all owners involved in the original filing individuals, partnerships, LLCs, corporations, or trusts. For entities, the legal name and state of organization must match the records on file.

• The business structure under which the DBA was registered

Whether the DBA was operated as an individual, LLC, corporation, partnership, trust, or joint venture, the abandonment must reflect the same structure. This is required for signature authority and legal verification.

Standard Steps to Dissolve a DBA in California

Step 1: Obtain the correct “Statement of Abandonment of Use of FBN” form

Each California county provides its own version of the Statement of Abandonment of Use of Fictitious Business Name. You must download or pick up the form from the same county where you filed your original FBN Statement. Using the correct county-issued form ensures your submission meets all local requirements and avoids delays or rejection.

Step 2: Complete the form with accurate business and owner details

The form requires you to enter the exact DBA name, business address, original file number, filing date, and full legal names of all registrants. Accuracy is essential because the County Clerk must be able to match your abandonment to the existing record. Incorrect or incomplete information can lead to processing issues and legal non-compliance.

Step 3: File with County Clerk in the correct county

California law mandates that abandonment must be filed in the county of original registration. You can typically file in person, by mail, or depending on the county online. Filing in the correct county ensures the abandonment is legally recognized and properly recorded in public records.

Step 4: Pay filing fee (varies by county)

Each county sets its own fees for processing a Statement of Abandonment. For example, Los Angeles County charges $26 (as shown in your provided document). Other counties may charge more or less depending on their administrative procedures. Payment is required before processing begins.

Standard Steps to Dissolve a DBA in California

Step 5: Publish the abandonment notice (if required)

California Business & Professions Code §17917 requires public notice of the abandonment in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of filing. Most counties including Los Angeles require publication once a week for four consecutive weeks. Publication ensures transparency, allowing the public to know the DBA is no longer in use.

Step 6: Submit Affidavit of Publication to county

The newspaper will provide an official affidavit confirming your abandonment notice was properly published. You must submit this affidavit to the County Clerk to finalize the dissolution. Without this document, your abandonment may be considered incomplete or invalid.

Step 7: Receive final confirmation of abandonment

After the County Clerk processes your form and accepts your Affidavit of Publication, the abandonment becomes legally effective. You may receive a stamped copy, confirmation notice, or online status update depending on the county. At this stage, your DBA is officially closed, and you are no longer publicly associated with that business name.

Legal Compliance Requirements

• Follow California Business & Professions Code §§17917–17930

DBA abandonment in California is governed by strict statutory rules. These laws outline how notices must be published, who is authorized to sign the abandonment statement, and the penalties for false filings. Compliance ensures that your dissolution is fully recognized and legally enforceable across state and county agencies.

• File the Affidavit of Publication with the County Clerk

After completing the publication period, the newspaper issues an affidavit verifying proper publication. This affidavit must be submitted to the county; otherwise, your abandonment is considered incomplete. The county cannot finalize the dissolution without this step.

• Ensure the form is signed by the correct authorized individual

The person signing the Statement of Abandonment must match the legal ownership structure of the business. For example, an officer must sign for a corporation, a manager/member for an LLC, and a trustee for a trust. Incorrect signatures can invalidate the filing and delay the dissolution.

• Use accurate and verifiable owner and business information

Counties match your abandonment form to the original DBA filing. Any inconsistencies such as different addresses, spelling variations, or mismatched entity names may cause rejection. Accuracy ensures seamless processing and full legal compliance.

• File in the same county where the original DBA was registered

California requires DBA abandonment to be processed in the county of origin. Filing in the wrong county will automatically result in rejection. This ensures that the county holding the original record is the one updating the abandonment.

Legal Compliance Requirements

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to publish the abandonment notice

This is the most frequent mistake. Without the mandatory four-week publication (when required by the county), your DBA dissolution is not legally complete even if the abandonment form was accepted. This leads to an incomplete public record and may cause future business or legal issues.

• Forgetting to file the Affidavit of Publication

Many owners complete the publication but fail to return the affidavit to the county. Without this document, the county cannot finalize the abandonment, leaving your DBA active in public records longer than intended.

• Using the wrong county form or filing in the wrong county

Because each county has its own form and filing requirements, using a form from a different county is an automatic rejection. Similarly, filing in a county other than where the original FBN Statement was made violates California law and stalls the process.

• Entering incorrect DBA information or failing to match the original filing

Misspellings, incomplete addresses, and inaccurate file numbers cause clerks to be unable to locate your original DBA. This results in processing delays or denial. Always use the exact name and details from your original FBN Statement.

Conclusion

Closing a DBA in California is straightforward when you follow the proper county filing procedures. By submitting the correct cancellation form and confirming all business matters are resolved, you can officially end your DBA without future liabilities. Completing the process properly protects you and keeps public business records accurate.