San Benito County requires the filing of a Fictitious Business Name in the Clerk Department for the conducting of any businesses in the county to make available to the public the identities of those persons or business entities doing business under fictitious business names. In accordance with subdivision (a) of B&P Section 17920, a fictitious name statement expires 5 years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of B&P Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to B&P Section 17913.

• For an individual, a FBN is a name that does not include the surname of the individual or a name that suggests the existence of additional owners.

• For partnerships, a FBN is a name that does not include the surname of any general partner or suggests the existence of additional owners.

• For a corporation,  a FBN is a name not stated in the Articles of Incorporation.

Prior to filing, it is recommended that you search the names listed in our records to verify that the name you have chosen has not already been taken. It is your responsibility to make sure that the name is still available as the Clerk's Department will accept any name you present.

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement Required Information:

• Phone number is an optional item. Your statement is a public record; therefore, you may be solicited.

• Must be filed with the County Clerk in the county in which the registrant has his principal place of business.

• Must be filed no later than forty (40) days from the time you commence business.

• Must be published by the registrant. Publication must occur in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal place of business is located within forty-five (45) days after filing.

• Should have an affidavit of publication filed with the County Clerk within thirty (30) days after the last publication date.

• Expires five (5) years from the date it is filed. A statement must be re-filed no later than 40 days after the expiration date if continuing to conduct business. There is no need to republish the statement if there has been no change in the information contained in the previously filed statement and it has not expired (more than 40 days).

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Abandonment

Section 17922 Business & Professions Code
Upon ceasing to transact business in this state under a fictitious business name that was filed in the previous five years, a person who has filed a fictitious business name statement shall file a statement of abandonment of use of fictitious business name. The statement shall be executed in the same manner as a fictitious business name statement and shall be filed with the County Clerk of the county in which the person has filed his or her fictitious business name statement. The statement shall be published in the same manner as a fictitious business name statement and an affidavit showing its publication shall be filed with the County Clerk after the completion of publication.

Businesses operating in the unincorporated area of the County are required to have a Business License on display at their principal location of operation, unless the business qualifies for an exemption. The voters of San Benito County approved Measure H, the San Benito Business License Tax, in November 2018. This tax took effect July 1, 2019 in the unincorporated area of the County. If you need assistance applying for a business license, you should contact HdL Companies at sanbenitocounty@hdlgov.com or by phone at (909) 479-2111. Phone support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

For more information and to obtain an application for a Business License, please visit the County Business License page.

City of Hollister:

The City of Hollister has a Business License Ordinance #796 in effect that states that anyone who operates a business within City limits or provides deliveries of goods or services within City limits, MUST obtain a valid City business license.

For more information regarding City of Hollister business requirements, please visit the City of Hollister Starting a Business page.

City of San Juan Bautista:

San Juan Bautista municipal code 3-3-300 states that it is unlawful for a person to transact and carry on a business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the City without a license from the City.

For more information regarding the City of San Juan Bautista Business requirements, please visit the San Juan Bautista Doing Business Page.