How to Register an LLC in California (2026 Filing Guide)
To register an LLC in California, you file Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the California Secretary of State through the BizFile portal for a $70 filing fee, then file an initial Statement of Information within 90 days for an additional $20. Processing typically takes about 8 business days. California is one of the few states that legally requires every LLC to have a written operating agreement, and every LLC owes an $800 annual franchise tax starting in its first year, regardless of revenue. You will also need an EIN from the IRS and an agent for service of process with a physical California address.
AnyWhereFormations handles this filing end to end for founders who would rather not manage state portals and deadlines themselves. Below is the full process if you want to understand each step, or to file it yourself.
What You Need Before You File
- A business name that is distinguishable from every other entity on record with the California Secretary of State and includes “LLC,” “Limited Liability Company,” or an approved abbreviation
- An agent for service of process with a physical California street address, not a P.O. box
- A decision on member-managed versus manager-managed structure
- A budget that accounts for the $800 annual franchise tax from day one, not just the filing fees
- A payment method for the $70 Articles of Organization fee plus the $20 Statement of Information fee
Steps to Register a California LLC
1. Check name availability
Search the California Secretary of State’s BizFile database to confirm your desired name is distinguishable from existing businesses on record under California Corporations Code Section 17701.08. The name must include “LLC,” “Limited Liability Company,” or an accepted abbreviation, and cannot use misleading words like “corporation” or “bank.” You can reserve a name for 60 days for $10 if you are not ready to file yet.
2. Appoint an agent for service of process
California calls its registered agent an “agent for service of process.” Every LLC must maintain one with a physical California street address, available during normal business hours to accept legal documents. If you live in California you can serve as your own agent; if you don’t, or want to keep your home address off the public record, a commercial registered agent service fills the role, which matters most for founders who do not have a California address, including international founders.
3. File the Articles of Organization
Submit Form LLC-1 online through BizFile, by mail, or in person. You will list the LLC name, business address, agent for service of process information, and management structure. The filing fee is $70. California also offers a paid 48-hour expedited processing option if you need faster turnaround than the standard timeline.
4. File your initial Statement of Information
Unlike most states’ first filing requirement, California requires this within 90 days of formation, not on an annual anniversary. Form LLC-12 reports your registered agent, business addresses, and either your managers or, if none are appointed, your members. The fee is $20. After the initial filing, it comes due again every two years on a schedule tied to your formation month, and missing it triggers a $250 penalty.
5. Draft an operating agreement
California is one of the few states that legally requires every LLC to adopt a written operating agreement, even single-member LLCs, though you keep it in your own records rather than filing it with the state. It should cover ownership percentages, profit and loss distribution, and what happens if a member leaves, retires, or passes away.
6. Get a federal EIN
Apply for an Employer Identification Number directly from the IRS at no cost. California does not issue a separate state tax ID for most purposes, though the state issues an entity ID at formation and a separate state employer ID number (SEIN) if you hire employees. Founders without a US Social Security Number can still get an EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax rather than through the online IRS system.
7. Budget for the annual franchise tax
Every California LLC owes an $800 minimum franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board every year, regardless of income or business activity, starting in the LLC’s first year. The first payment is due by the 15th day of the fourth month after formation. LLCs earning more than $250,000 in California-sourced income owe an additional scaled fee on top of the franchise tax, ranging from $900 to $11,790 depending on income tier.
8. Open a business bank account
Keep business funds separate from personal funds to preserve your LLC’s liability protection. Banks typically ask for your filed Articles of Organization and EIN confirmation.
How Long Does California LLC Approval Take?
Standard processing runs about 8 business days, though actual timing shifts with filing volume and is worth checking against the Secretary of State’s current Business Entity Processing Dates tool before you file. A paid 48-hour expedited option is available if you need faster turnaround.
Foreign Founders and International Applicants
California does not require an LLC owner or organizer to be a US citizen or California resident. Non-residents can form and operate a California LLC as long as they appoint an agent for service of process with a California street address, since the LLC’s own address requirement does not extend to the members themselves. Founders without a US Social Security Number can still obtain an EIN through the IRS’s fax-based Form SS-4 process rather than the SSN-gated online application. AnyWhereFormations manages both of these steps directly for non-resident founders, and helps founders plan for the $800 annual franchise tax obligation from day one so it doesn’t come as a surprise.
How much does it cost to register an LLC in California?
The Articles of Organization filing fee is $70, plus a $20 fee for the initial Statement of Information due within 90 days, for $90 total to form the LLC. On top of that, every California LLC owes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax starting in its first year.
Do I need a registered agent in California?
Yes. California calls this an agent for service of process. Every LLC must maintain one with a physical California street address, available during normal business hours to accept legal documents.
Can a non-US resident form a California LLC?
Yes. California does not require LLC owners or organizers to be US citizens or California residents. Non-residents need an agent for service of process with a California address and typically apply for an EIN by fax if they do not hold a Social Security Number.
Is an operating agreement required in California?
Yes, California is one of the few states that legally requires every LLC, including single-member LLCs, to adopt a written operating agreement. It is not filed with the state but must be kept in the LLC’s own records.
What is the California LLC annual franchise tax?
It is an $800 minimum tax every California LLC owes to the Franchise Tax Board each year, regardless of income or business activity, starting in the LLC’s first year and continuing until the LLC is formally dissolved. LLCs earning over $250,000 owe an additional scaled fee on top of it.
When is the California Statement of Information due?
The initial Statement of Information is due within 90 days of forming your LLC. After that, it must be filed every two years within a window tied to your formation month, for a $20 fee each time.
How long does it take to form an LLC in California?
Standard processing generally takes about 8 business days, with a paid 48-hour expedited option available for faster turnaround.
File Your California LLC With AnyWhereFormations
AnyWhereFormations prepares and files your Articles of Organization and Statement of Information, sets up your agent for service of process, secures your EIN, and helps you plan for the $800 annual franchise tax so your LLC is formed correctly and stays in good standing. This is built for founders, including those outside the US, who want the entity in place without learning California’s filing system themselves.
