California FBN Publication Deadline
Is Your 45-Day FBN Publication Deadline Coming up?
Enter the filing date stamped on your statement and your county. You'll see your legal deadline, the last day to order for your county's newspaper, and whether there's still time.
Example: a statement filed today, Thursday, November 5, needs its first notice in the newspaper by Sunday, December 20, 2026.
Next First-Publication Dates by County
Newspapers run legal notices on fixed days and need lead time. These are the next dates you can still order for:
| County | Next First Publication | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Kern County | Order by Mon, Nov 9, 9:00 AM → first publication Fri, Nov 13* | Order |
| Los Angeles County | Order by Tue, Nov 10, 2:00 PM → first publication Sat, Nov 14* | Order |
| Orange County | Order by Tue, Nov 10, 9:00 AM → first publication Fri, Nov 13* | Order |
| Sacramento County | Your exact first-run date is confirmed by email when you order. | Order |
| San Diego County | Order by Tue, Nov 10, 1:00 PM → first publication Fri, Nov 13* | Order |
| Riverside County | Order by Thu, Nov 5, 12:00 PM → first publication Mon, Nov 9* | Order |
| San Bernardino County | Order by Tue, Nov 10, 9:00 PM → first publication Thu, Nov 12* | Order |
| Santa Clara County | Your exact first-run date is confirmed by email when you order. | Order |
| Fresno County | Order by Mon, Nov 9, 9:00 AM → first publication Wed, Nov 11* | Order |
| Lake County | Your exact first-run date is confirmed by email when you order. | Order |
* Publication dates are estimates based on the newspaper's usual schedule. The actual first publication date may vary with the newspaper's production schedule for that week. We email your confirmed publication dates as soon as the newspaper confirms them.
Pacific time, with federal and California holidays accounted for. Dates come from each newspaper's publication schedule; the order form re-checks your exact deadline before you pay.
We Check Your Date Before You Pay
- Your filing date is checked against the newspaper's schedule when you order and again when the payment page opens, and the payment page closes at the last order time. We won't take an order whose first notice can't run within the 45 days.
- If a payment ever arrives too late anyway, we look for another eligible newspaper that can still make the date, and refund you in full if none can.
- Once paid, your notice goes on the newspaper's next available run and we email you the first publication date.
- The other three weekly notices and the affidavit filing follow; you get a copy of the signed affidavit as soon as we receive it from the newspaper.
Already Past 45 Days?
Publication can't be backdated. Under the county clerks' guidance, the statement expires and you file a new one with the county, then publish within 45 days of the new filing date. Your county clerk's office can confirm the steps for your county. Missed the deadline: what to do next.
Three time limits under California Business and Professions Code §17917:
- First publication within 45 days after your statement is filed.
- Four weekly notices, once a week for four consecutive weeks.
- Affidavit of publication filed with the county clerk within 45 days after the fourth notice.
Orange County and San Diego County clerks state that a statement not published within 45 days expires and must be refiled. A renewal with no changes doesn't need publication as long as it's refiled by the expiration date or within 40 days after. Missed the 45 days? What to do next.
Deadline Questions
How Is the 45-Day FBN Publication Deadline Counted?
The 45 days are calendar days counted from the filing date stamped on your fictitious business name statement, under California Business and Professions Code §17917. Weekends and holidays count. The first of your four weekly publications must appear by day 45; the remaining three can follow after it.
Can I Get an Extension on My FBN Publication Deadline?
No. The law has no extension process, and the Orange County Clerk-Recorder states that it does not allow any extensions. If publication doesn't start within 45 days, the filing expires and you have to file a new statement, pay the county fee again, and publish within 45 days of the new filing.
When Should I Order Publication?
As soon as you have your stamped statement. Newspapers publish legal notices on fixed days and need time to set up each notice, so a deadline that is a week away may leave only one or two possible publication dates.
What If My Deadline Is Too Close for Any Run Date?
Our order form checks your filing date against the newspaper's schedule before you pay and won't take an order whose first notice can't run in time. If that happens, ask your county clerk about refiling, then publish within 45 days of the new filing date.
FBN publication deadlines, explained · Just filed? 5 things to know · Prices by county