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COUNTY OF MONTEREY WHAT IS IT?
For example, doing business under
a name like:
Any person who
regularly transacts business for profit, UNDER A FICTITIOUS NAME in the County of Monterey
is required to file a FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT with the County Clerk, within 40
days of first transacting business. PLEASE NOTE: Although registration of a FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME is required, this office serves ONLY as the central depository of these names,
neither approving nor disapproving a particular name and CANNOT accept any responsibility
for any omissions, similarities, or duplications among the Fictitious Business Names on
file. Fictitious Business Names are filed
ONLY in the county where the business is located. Statewide
registries do NOT exist. For information on how to
file a Fictitious Business Name Statement, CLICK file in person OR file by mail. For information
on how to search the Index of Fictitious Business Names, in order to determine if a
particular business name is currently registered or, the name of the owner or owners of a
particular business, click search in person OR search by mail. A Fictitious Business Name may be filed by
mail or in person; however, because of its importance, WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO FILE IN
PERSON. If you are unable to appear in
person and would like information on how to file a FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME by mail, click
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME file by mail. To file a Fictitious Business in person, FIRST: Search the “Index of
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES” located at the County Clerk’s office to ensure the
name you intend to file IS NOT already registered. NEXT:
Complete the filing form provided. THEN: Present the completed form***, along with payment at the customer counter. A copy of the Statement will be returned to you. ***When filing a Fictitious Business Name for a corporation or LLC, please include a copy of the articles of incorporation/association. The fee to register a
Fictitious Business Name is $30.00 for the
first business name and owner and $7.00 for each additional business name OR owner name. You
may file a Fictitious Business Name Statement at our office location. Office
hours are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, except holidays. If
you need to speak with a staff member, please call (831) 755-5450. If you are calling from the Monterey Peninsula
area, please call (831) 647-7850. Because
of its importance, the County Clerk strongly recommends that you register a Fictitious
Business Name in person whenever possible. This
office CANNOT accept responsibility for any filing attempted by mail. TO FILE BY
MAIL Complete an official FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME filing form in black ink or by typing. ***When filing a Fictitious Business Name for a corporation or LLC, please include a copy of the articles of incorporation/association. Filing forms
are available at the County Clerk’s office. You
may also request a form in writing. Send you
request or all copies of the completed form***, along with a check made payable to Monterey
County Clerk AND a legal-size, self-addressed stamped envelope to: Monterey County
Clerk The fee to register
a FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME is: $30.00 for
the first business name and owner AND $7.00 for
each additional business name or owner name. Payment may be by check (drawn from California banking institution only) or Money Order payable to the Monterey County Clerk. A Fictitious Business Name should be filed within 40 days of first transacting business. Once registered, it is effective for 5 years. You will need to re-register, prior to the date of expiration or if the business location changes. After filing, the Fictitious Business Name must be published in an adjudicated newspaper of general circulation within 30 days of the filing date. For information of office hours and location, click here. If you need to speak with a staff member, please call (831) 755-5450. If you are calling from the Monterey Peninsula area, please call (831) 647-7850. We always suggest
you search the Registry or file a Fictitious Business Name Statement in person at our
office location. However if you are unable to
come to the County Clerk’s office, you may request a search of file a Fictitious
Business Name Statement by mail. For information on requesting a search of the Fictitious Business Name Index by mail click search by mail. We always recommend
that you search the Registry of Fictitious Business Names before filing a Fictitious
Business Name Statement. The fees for copies
are as follows: $2.00 per page
Plain Copy $2.00 for Certified
Copy Business hours:
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Mondays through Friday, except holidays. For further
information on office location, click file in person or file by mail. If you need to speak with a staff member, please call (831) 755-5450. To request a
Fictitious Business Name search by mail, you must provide the EXACT business name and, if
applicable, the owner name to researched. Send your request
AND a legal size, self-addressed stamped envelope with money order or check (drawn for a
California financial institution) payable to: Monterey County
Clerk Enclose $5.00 for
each business or owner name to be researched and $2.00 for each copy per page of the
statement requested, or $2.00 per statement if certification is required. |
