You do not need to file for a fictitious business name if your business name includes your last name, and doesn’t suggest additional owners. (For example, if your name is Jane Smith, you wouldn’t need to file for a fictitious business name if you are doing business as “Jane Smith’s Event Planning” or “Smith’s Event Planning,” but you would need to do so if you named your business “Jane’s Event Planning” (no surname), or “Event Planning by Smith & Associates” (suggests additional owners)).
If you use a fictitious business name, you’ll need to file according to the requirements of the county where you operate your business. Your county’s official website will have guidance. (E.g., San Francisco County,’s requirements can be found here: https://sfgov.org/countyclerk/fictitious-business-name-fbn).