Instructions for filing an ABANDONMENT of a Fictitious Business Name (FBN).

Note: 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 the use of the 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. (CA Business & Professions Code Sec. 17922)

STEP 1
Make any changes regarding your Business Registration and pay any delinquent taxes on the account with the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector.  San Francisco Business Registration

STEP 2

Check the status of your fictitious business name statement.

Note: The fictitious business name statement is only valid for 5 years from the date the statement was filed with our office. If your statement is more than 5 years old, then there is no need to file a Statement of Abandonment.

You may verify the information by:

• Search online at Online Fictitious Business Name Search
   
• Search via a terminal at the:
  SF Tax Collectors Office
  City Hall, Suite 140
  1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
  San Francisco, CA 94102
   
• Search it at our office:
  Office of the County Clerk
  City Hall, Suite 168
  1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
  San Francisco, CA 94102-4678

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STEP 3
Complete the Statement of Abandonment Form. Be sure to complete the information on the form as stated on the statement which you are abandoning. If you do not have the information on the previous statement, you may verify by:

• Search online at Online Fictitious Business Name Search
   
• Search via a terminal at the:
  SF Tax Collectors Office
  City Hall, Suite 140
  1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
  San Francisco, CA 94102
   
• Search it at our office:
  Office of the County Clerk
  City Hall, Suite 168
  1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
  San Francisco, CA 94102-4678

Note: You will be able to find all of the pertinent information online, including the file number and the date on which it was filed at our office.

STEP 4
Bring or mail the completed Abandonment statement along with the corresponding fee (see the top left-hand corner of the form).

STEP 5:
An "Endorsed" copy will be issued to you.

STEP 6:

Please Read: FBN Publication Requirement Instructions

Make a copy of the "endorsed" statement to provide to the newspaper. You must publish with one S.F. legal court-approved newspaper (see the listing of newspapers) within 30 days from the date of filing, once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Be sure to contact newspaper companies early enough as they may not be able to publish immediately.