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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 7Pt. 3Ch. 5§ 17927 Fictitious Business Name Records

§ 17927 Fictitious Business Name Records

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 17927 Fictitious Business Name Records

Key Takeaways

  • •The county clerk keeps track of fake business names by giving them a number and date.
  • •After 4 years, the clerk can throw away the papers about the fake business name.
  • •If you stop using a fake business name, the clerk can throw away those papers too.
  • •The clerk can keep a copy of the papers instead of the original.

Example

You open a lemonade stand called 'Super Lemonade' but use your real name for taxes.

The county clerk writes down 'Super Lemonade' with a number and date. After 4 years, they can throw away your lemonade stand papers.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 17927 Fictitious Business Name Records

(a) The county clerk shall mark each fictitious business name statement with a file number and the date of filing and shall retain the original statement for his or her file. He or she may destroy or otherwise dispose of the statement, including proof of publication, affidavit of identity statement, the additional documents required by subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 17913, and any other references related to the fictitious business name statement, four years after the statement expires. (b) The county clerk shall mark each statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name or statement of withdrawal from partnership operating under fictitious business name with a file number and the date of filing. He or she may destroy or otherwise dispose of the statement at the same time the fictitious business name statement to which it relates is destroyed pursuant to subdivision (a). (c) In lieu of retaining the original statement, proof of publication, affidavit of identity statement, and additional documents that may be required pursuant to subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 17913, and any other documents pertaining to the fictitious business statement on file, the county clerk may retain a copy of the statement in accordance with Section 26205.1 of the Government Code. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014. (Repealed (in Sec. 9) and added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 368, Sec. 10. (AB 1325) Effective January 1, 2013. Section operative January 1, 2014, by its own provisions.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

fictitious business name statementfile numberdate of filingcounty clerkSection 26205.1 of the Government Code

Related Statutes

  • § 17917 Fictitious Business Name Publication
  • § 17925 Fictitious Business Name Records
  • § 17905 County Clerk Duties Delegation
  • § 17913 Fictitious Business Name Statement Form
  • § 17914 Fictitious Business Name Signatures

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 17927.
View Official Source