Missed the FBN Publication Deadline? What to Do Next

Short answer: under California Business and Professions Code §17917, the first notice must run within 45 days after your statement is filed, and publication can't be backdated. If your first notice didn't run in time, the filing generally must be refiled: file a new statement, then publish within 45 days of the new filing date. Confirm the steps with your county clerk.

Can I Still Publish My Current Statement?

Only if the first notice ran within the 45 days. The 45-day limit applies to the first notice; the other three weekly notices can follow after day 45. If the first notice never ran in time, a newspaper can't publish it with an earlier date, and publishing late doesn't fix the filing.

What the County Clerks Say

The Orange County and San Diego County clerks state that a statement not published within 45 days expires and must be refiled. Other counties apply the same statute, but procedures and fees vary, so check with the clerk in the county where you filed before you pay for anything.

How to Fix It

1. Confirm with your county clerk that the statement has expired and what a new filing needs.
2. File a new FBN statement with that county and pay the county's filing fee again.
3. Publish within 45 days of the new filing date. Check your new window with the deadline calculator.

Prices and Ordering by County

More on the time limits: FBN publication deadlines, explained · FAQ

General information, not legal advice. County procedures vary; confirm with your county clerk.