How to Form an LLC in California

Start your LLC in California with these six simple steps.

  1. Name your California LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent in California
  3. File the California Articles of Organization
  4. File the Initial Statement of Information
  5. Create An Operating Agreement
  6. Obtain an Employer Tax ID Number EIN

We explain how to form an LLC in the state of California, including how to do business name availability searches before you start.

Starting an LLC in California means filing the right papers and complying with state rules and regulations when creating your business. Missing one document or overlooking a fee may result in delays that hold you back from forming your LLC.

Thatā€™s why having the help of a professional company such as Incfile or Northwest Registered Agent can be quite valuable.

California LLC and One Year Registered Agent Service $37/moĀ  (State Fee Included)

California LLC formation price with monthly plan by Northwest Registered Agent

 

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But even with the assistance of a professional company, you must still do much of the work on your own. Since every state has its own rules and regulations, California will have some differences in its procedures.

What follows is a simple step-by-step guide to help you form an LLC in the Golden Bear state.


How Much Is The California LLC Filing Fee?

The California state fee is $70, but the Statement of Information and the Annual Franchise fees are also.Ā 

California state fee: $70
Statement of Information: $20 (every two years)
Annual Franchise tax: $800 (every year)

How Long Does It Take To Get An LLC in California?

After filing the Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State and paying the $70 state fee, the approval process should be completed in about 3-5 business days. In busier times of the year, it could take about 6-7 business days. Check with the state for the due dates regarding the Annual Franchise fee and Statement of Information fee.

Visit Our Top 7 Best LLC ServicesĀ 

California Secretary of StateĀ 

Mailing address:
Secretary of State
Business Entities
PO Box 944228
Sacramento, CA 94244-2280

California Secretary of State
California Business Entities
916-653-3794 (LLC Unit)
213-897-3062 (LA Office)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm, M-F

Form An LLC In CaliforniaĀ Ā 

California business entities search

 

California business name search page

 

California Business Name Availability

https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/

Step #1:Ā Name the LLC

The first step is seemingly the simplest, but it may take some effort to do. That is naming your LLC for the business you intend to run in California. One rather obvious but overlooked requirement is that your business name must have some form of ā€œLLCā€ in the title.

Name Search: California Secretary of State – Business Programs DivisionĀ 
Ā Name search
Name Reservation: Optional
Suffix: The name of a limited liability company shall contain the words limited liability company or the abbreviation L.L.C. or LLC. Limited may be abbreviated as Ltd., and company may be abbreviated as Co.
CCC &sect17701.08

Also, certain words such as ā€œbankā€ or ā€œcorporationā€ may imply your company is involved in insurance, which will require a considerable amount of documentation. So, unless it is included with insurance, avoid putting words in the company name that implies it.

Coming up with a proper name may be challenging enough, but it cannot be misleading or used by another company under California law. By going through the California Secretary of State website for business names, you can discover if the name youā€™ve come up with for your company is currently in use.

If not, you can spend $10 to reserve that name for up to 60 days. This will require a Name Reservation Form. Also, if you download Business Entity: Name Regulations & Additional Statutory Requirements and Restrictions, youā€™ll have access to even more information.

Step #2:Ā Find a Registered Agent

All LLCs in California must have a registered agent. This is for processing services when documentation must go to or from the state and your company. Your LLC does not qualify as a registered agent, but it can be an individual or entity authorized to do business in the state and has a street address, not a P.O. box.

To become a corporate agent, you will need to file a California Corporations Code Section 1505 Certificate. The Secretary of State does maintain a list of companies that can be used as registered agents. However, you can always search on your own to find the one for your needs.

Step #3: California Articles of Incorporation

Agency: California Secretary of State – Business Programs DivisionĀ 
Form: Form LLC-1: Articles of Organization of a Limited Liability Company
Instructions: Filing Tips
Filing Method: Mail, in-person, orĀ online.
Agency Fee: $70 by mail/online or $85 in-person.
Turnaround: Current state processing timesĀ orĀ pay for preclearance and expedite services
Law: California Corporations Code – Title 2.6: Limited Liability Companies
Reference: California Secretary of State

With a business name and registered agent in place, you are ready to make your LLC. This requires the following;

  • File Articles of Organization or Form LLC-1
  • Pay $70 State Fee.
  • Submit the name and address of the company for LLC
  • Submit the name and address of the registered agent
  • Submit how LLC will be managed

You will need to do all of these things before you can progress on to the next step. Be sure to double-check your submission forms and have everything in place before going onward.

Step #4: File Initial Statement of Information or Form LLC-12

Within 90 days of filing your Articles of Organization, you must file a Statement of Information or Form LL-12. The State requires this of California, and every two years afterward, as the LLC is still operational, you will need to file additional statements.

Agency: California Secretary of State – Business Programs DivisionĀ 
Form: Form LLC-12: Statement of Information for a Limited Liability Company
Filing Method: Mail, in-person, orĀ online.
Agency Fee: $20
Turnaround: ~1 business day online.Ā See current processing times.
Due: Within 90 days of incorporation or qualification.Ā 
Law: California Corp. Code Ā§ 17702.09
Original Ink: Not required
Notarize: Not required
Penalties: $250 penalty fee.
Notes:
  • We recommend filing online.
  • Original signatures are not required.
Reference: California Secretary of State

There is a $20 filing fee, and you can mail the form to the state or hand-deliver it to the Office of Secretary of State. You will need to include the following information on the form;

  • LLC Name, Email, & Mailing Address
  • General Type of Business, such as retail, distribution, etc.
  • LLC File Number with the Secretary of State
  • Street address of Principal Executiveā€™s Office of the LLC
  • Name and Addresses of CEO, Manager, or Managers of the Business
  • Name and address of Registered Agent

Keep in mind that if no manager has been appointed or elected to run the LLC, then all the names and addresses of each business member need to be included. The email address of your LLC is essential as well since the state can send information via this service as opposed to the US postal office.

Plus, if the mailing address of the LLC is different from the street address, that needs to be included as well. In essence, it is better to be safe and provide everything than to be sorry and miss something vital.

Step #5:Ā  Create An Operating Agreement

To run the LLC you have created, you will need to obtain an Operating Agreement. This sets the guidelines for who owns the company and how it is to be run. The agreement itself can be written, including all amendments that must be kept as part of the company records.

Or, it can be an oral agreement as long as everyone is informed and understands how the company is to be run.

Oral agreements are generally for very small LLCs with one clear owner that is starting. Once the company grows, a written Operating Agreement will probably need to be established to keep everything clear and consistent.

Step #6: Employer ID Number or EIN

You will need to file for an EIN unless your LLC is just you and has no employees. Obtaining an EIN is simple enough as you have to file with the IRS on their website. Whether your LLC needs to register with the California taxing authority is another matter. This is because filing will depend on how you collect taxes for the state.

  • Sales Taxes: Register with California State Board of Equalization (BOE)
  • Employer Taxes: Register with California Employment Development Department (EDD)

If your LLC has more than one member or will hire employees, it must obtain anĀ EIN. An EIN is also often required to open a bank account.

Agency: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)Ā 
Form: IRS Form SS-4
Filing Method: Mail, phone, fax, orĀ online.
IRS fee: $0
Turnaround: Immediately online or by phone. 4 business days by fax. 4-5 weeks by mail.
Notes: The IRS website is only available during certain hours. Print your EIN before closing your session. For additional guidance, seeĀ IRS Pub 1635: Understanding Your EIN.
Reference: IRS website

There is also an $800 minimum for the annual franchise tax to the California Franchise Tax Board. You may have to pay more depending on the income that is generated. If you decide that your LLC should be taxed as a corporation, you will need to follow the corporate tax laws of California.

Regardless of whether you follow corporate tax laws or not, all LLCs will have to file Form 568 or the Limited Liability Company Return of Income annually by April 15th.

For any additional information, you should check with the California Franchise Tax Board by consulting their website. This is because new laws, rules, and regulations arise annually, which may or may not affect your LLC.

Additional Information

You should have everything needed to form an LLC in California. However, a couple of points need to be covered if your business requires a professional state license or is considered a foreign or out-of-state LLC.

Professional State License: As of this writing, if your company requires a professional state license, you cannot form an LLC in the State of California.Ā  You should consult with the California Department of Consumer Affairs to ensure that you can still create an LLC.

If any of the services you provide require a professional state license, you can instead form a Limited Liability Partnership or LLP. The California Franchise Tax website can give some guidance.

Location: Depending on where you are located within the state, your LLC may require additional items such as a local, state-authorized, or federal business license. Check with the California Office of Business and Economic Development to see that you have all the necessary licenses to operate legally within the state. You may also want to consult with the US Small Business Administration for federal licensing.

Out-of-State LLC: Whether your LLC is from another state or another country, you will need to follow a few steps when setting up in California.

  • File Application to Register for a Foreign LLC (LLC-5)
  • Provide Certificate of Good Standing from LLC origin location

Remember that you can still get an EIN even without a social security number or being a US citizen. Just complete Form SS-4 from the IRS and put the answer ā€œnoneā€ in Section 7b and then call or contact the IRS to formally apply.

Getting Assistance

If you are considering forming an LLC in California, you may want to get professional assistance when filing the right forms and to follow the proper procedures. Companies such as ZenBusiness offer an inexpensive online LLC service in that regard.

You will need to evaluate your LLC, how large you want it to grow, and what direction you need to take before getting professional assistance. While the filing process for receiving an LLC in California is relatively straightforward, some fees are paid, and the rules and regulations may change, which could affect your application.

If you are in doubt, then seeking the professional help of ZenBusiness or another similarly reputable company offers the guidance and direction you need to ensure that all the proper procedures follow in forming an LLC in the State of California.

For more information, visit how to start a business in California

and how to do a California business name availability search


 

Disclaimer – This website does not provide tax or legal advice. It is for general informational purposes only. The business formation services mentioned on our website are Document Filing Services and CANNOT provide you with legal or financial advice. It is presented to understand that these Document Filing Services ARE NOT engaged in rendering legal and/or accounting services. If you need legal or tax advice,Ā  please consult with a competent attorney and/or accountant. Features, pricing, and service options on our website are subject to change without notice.

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