How to Start an LLC in California

How do you file an LLC in California yourself?

The California Secretary of State lists Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization, as the formation document for a California LLC, and says to file online for the fastest response ^[1]. You can do every step yourself.

1. Check the name. Search the name in the Secretary of State's business search on bizfile Online. If you are not ready to file, the state offers an optional name reservation for $10 as of November 2026 ^[1].
2. Choose an agent for service of process. California's word for a registered agent. The next section explains it.
3. Fill out Form LLC-1. The form asks for the LLC name, business addresses, the agent and how the LLC will be managed. Read the instructions on the form itself before you start.
4. File online and pay. File directly with the state on bizfile Online at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. The filing fee for Form LLC-1 is $70 as of November 2026, whether you file online or on paper ^[2]. A certified copy is optional and costs $5.
5. File the Statement of Information. Form LLC-12 is due within 90 days of formation (details below).
6. Get an EIN and sign an operating agreement. Both come after the state accepts your articles.

If you are still choosing what to sell, our guides to starting a business and the startup cost calculator help you plan the first year.

Online or paper: which is faster?

Filing online costs the same $70 as paper and is processed much faster. The Secretary of State says online filings are processed in 5 days or less, while PDF paper forms take 10 or more days ^[1]. Paper delivered in person carries an extra $15 special handling fee, while mailed paper does not ^[2].

How much does an LLC cost in California?

As of November 2026, the Secretary of State charges $70 to form the LLC and $20 every two years for the Statement of Information ^[1]. The tax side is handled by a different agency.

Cost	Amount (as of November 2026)	Source
Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)	$70, online or paper	California SOS Form LLC-1 [2]
In-person paper delivery (optional)	$15 extra	California SOS Form LLC-1 [2]
Certified copy (optional)	$5	California SOS Form LLC-1 [2]
Statement of Information (Form LLC-12)	$20, within 90 days, then every two years	California SOS Form LLC-12 page [3]
Annual tax to the Franchise Tax Board	Confirm with the FTB	Form LLC-1 note
EIN	Free	IRS

The Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) costs $20. It is due within 90 days of formation and then every two years ^[3].

The Form LLC-1 itself warns that LLCs may have to pay an annual tax to the California Franchise Tax Board. That tax is separate from the Secretary of State fees and is set by the Franchise Tax Board, not the Secretary of State ^[2]. We could not open the Franchise Tax Board's own pages, so we do not list amounts or due dates here. Before you file, check the current LLC tax rules on ftb.ca.gov or with a tax professional, and budget for them.

California's formation fee is the lowest of the launch states we cover. Texas charges $300 ^[5], Florida $125 in total ^[6], Georgia $100 ^[7] and North Carolina $125 ^[8], all as of November 2026. A low formation fee says nothing about the yearly costs, so compare those too.

Our LLC by state hub compares more states, and the Texas LLC guide and Florida LLC guide cover those two in detail.

Do you need a registered agent in California?

Yes. California calls it an agent for service of process. The Secretary of State says limited liability companies are required by statute to designate one ^[4]. This is the person or company that accepts lawsuits and official notices for the LLC, and its name is public on bizfile Online.

You can name yourself or another person, or a company that provides this service. Read the agent instructions on Form LLC-1 before you choose, because the form sets the address rules for each type of agent. Pick someone who is reliably reachable: if papers are delivered and nobody passes them on, the LLC can miss a court deadline.

A commercial agent is the usual choice for owners who live out of state or want to keep a home address off the record. It is a paid service, and its fee is in addition to the state fee.

What comes after filing?

Once the Secretary of State files your articles, the LLC exists. These steps follow.

• Statement of Information. File Form LLC-12 within 90 days, then every two years. Set a reminder now, because the Statement of Information is due again every two years, not just once.
• EIN. The IRS issues an EIN for free, and "you never have to pay a fee for an EIN." The IRS advises forming your LLC with the Secretary of State before you apply, or your application may be delayed ^[9].
• Operating agreement. Write down ownership shares, who manages, how profits are split and what happens if a member leaves. Keep it with your records; you do not file it with Form LLC-1.
• State taxes. Confirm your LLC tax and return obligations with the Franchise Tax Board. If you sell taxable goods, check with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration whether you need a seller's permit.
• Bank account and records. Open a business bank account with the EIN and keep LLC money out of your personal account. Keep the filed articles, each Statement of Information and the operating agreement in one place.
• Local licenses. Cities and counties set their own business licenses and permits. Check both before you open.

If something changes, such as your address, your managers or your agent, you do not have to wait two years. The Secretary of State's Statement of Information page is where you file an updated statement, so the public record stays accurate and legal papers reach the right person. Keeping that record current is one of the simplest ways to avoid missing a notice that was sent to an old address.

Should you file yourself or use a formation service?

You can file yourself on bizfile Online in one sitting, and the state charges $70 whether you or someone else submits the form ^[1]. An online formation service can prepare and submit Form LLC-1 for you, and some also act as your agent. Their fee is in addition to the state fee.

	File yourself	Online formation service
Paid to the state	$70	$70, paid through the service
Service fee	None	Extra, on top of the state fee
Time to prepare	As long as it takes to gather names and addresses	Similar: you still answer the same questions
Agent for service of process	You or someone you choose	Often offered as a separate yearly service
What you still do	Everything below	Statement of Information, FTB taxes, EIN, operating agreement, local licenses

A service does not lower the state fee or the Franchise Tax Board's tax. Read what is included, especially whether it files your Statement of Information later.