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Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Statement: San Francisco restaurant guide

SF Office of the County Clerk

What it is

Registers the trade name your restaurant uses if it differs from the legal entity or owner's name; banks and the ABC ask for it.

When a restaurant needs it

If you do business under a name that is not the entity's exact legal name (or, for sole proprietors, does not include your surname).

How to apply

File the Fictitious Business Name Statement with the County Clerk (City Hall, Room 168, or by mail), publish it in a local newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks (start within 45 days of filing), then file the original Affidavit of Publication with the Clerk within 45 days after publication ends.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Filing and indexing $69; each additional name or registrant $17; filing the Affidavit of Publication $11; change or renewal $69 (County Clerk fees effective July 1, 2026)
Processing time
Filed same day; newspaper publication runs about 4 weeks
Renewal
Change or renew $69; statements expire five years from filing under state law
Who files
The registrant or an authorized agent files; the newspaper handles publication.

Good to know

The statement is a public record. If you add a second concept or trade name later you must file again.

Official source

County Clerk — fees for services · Fictitious Business Name Statement form (07/25)

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.